Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1877-02-28

tOci siuO loNh INT SdIutn pam.
The grounds of Ryelsnds were old
and fine. The DOCTORS large practice
and open n-hearted hospitality had for
merly kept much state here, but of late
all was very quiet.
She saw no one, as her path wound
among the shrubbery; but. soon she
heard voices, and pausing to.Iearn what
direction they were in, the following
conversation forced itselfupon her:
81 hardly know 4&hat to say"
"But, Hermione, surely you trust
meF" 81 - L ~
"Yes; entirely. But, Rupert, wait a
year. My husband has been dead snch
a short time, and shrinl: from such a
responsible act.
81 cannot wait a year. You know
how lonely have been, aad now that l
love one woman with my whole soul
and she is free, and 1 can at last take
care of a wffe-sdrely, Hermione, YOU
will not refuse?"
"Poor Rupert, love you so much,
how can I?'' -I L-n i
'Then you give your CONSENT"
'Ido." o- ~
BTeathless and wild with pain, Liniy
tore herself from the SPOT. She sought
the house now, and fleeing to her own
room, cast herself across the bed, writh
ing with anguish. Lost! Lost! They
ad all left her! She had not one.
The tea-bell rang; she did not heed
it. Inquiring voices called her name;
she covered her ears with her hands.
| Twilight and darkness filed the pretty
white room; the whip roor-will's call
came on the dewy air, and the piano
sounded softly in the room below. 1t
was Hermione's touch, and Rupert So.
Charles was bending happily over ''the
woman he loved with his whole soui,"
no doubt. Poor Linly. She wished she
could creep into her fathers grave, and
be out of the sight of their happiness.
By-and by, in the stiffness, she heard
steps on the stairs. Was Hermione COM
ing? Yes, the door opened, and Her
mione's voice syllabled: Dear, are you
here? Why, we thought you had not
come from town."
She advanced into the room, putting
the light she carried under shade in
the corner.
"You have come home with head
ache, know-the day has been so hot;
but you ought 10 have drank some tea.
Linly, dear"
The graceful fragrant form pressed
the couch by the girls side; tender
arm stole around her neck.
"Iam glad we can be quiet. have
something to tell you. Did hurt you,
Linly, with my ring! Why did you
vince sop
NO, Hermione, no." feebly.
'Iiniy, something has happened to-
day, which gives me great hope and
pleasure. Shall tell yOu?"
There was little pause-such hard
little pause.
"Yes."
"You have known my cousin, Rupert
St. Charles, year, and you feel quite
well acquainted with him, do you not ?"
'Quite we'll"
she is all he seems to be, Linly,
think you like him."
No answer.
Il hope you do, dear, for he is just
what young man ought TO be-hOnOr-
able, pure and stcadfast-snd the wo-
man who has won his love is fortunate,
q Il. - 20,
he will make devoted husband. She
could not have better fate than be the
wife of Rupert st. Charles"
Hermione Thetford heard her step
daughters quickened breathing, but
could not see her face.
81 walked with him this afternoon in
the garden, and-surely, dear, your
head must be very bad. l heard you
moan."
"very bad. But never mind, Her.
mione."
she urged me to a promise which 1
was reluctant to give"
Yes"
81 hesitated to take the step he urged
upon me, because your father has been
dead such a short time, and others
might think"
''You need not care what others
think if you are sure of your own feel
ings, Hermione."
SIT is because | am sure of them,
Linly, that | at last yielded. l have
known Rupert from child, and he is
one in a thousand. So, dear, surely you
will forgive me if you are averse to
this"
Forgive? What should / forgive,
dear Hermione." ..........
"I yielded, and gave my consent that |
he should tell you his love, and try to
win yours, dear. For nothing could |
make me happier, my dear girl, than
for you to marry my cousin"
Hermione's voice died away. There
was no sound la the darkened chamber. |
She listened anxiously for Linly's re-
sponse, but the girl realized nothing
but the feelings of her own heart.
"Will you speak, dear?"
"What shall | say, HermiOne?'
care you panied or pleased by what
have told yOug"
"Hermione, have been told that You |
aud Rupert St. Charles used to love
each other"
81 have always loved Rupert as a
eousin-nothing more. Ii WAS your
father whom loved, dear, aud so you
promised Rupert to urge you to give
him little sign of encouragement, and
so he has sent you this blush-rose. If
he may speak to you, wear il in your |
hair when he comes tonight; if you
have no hope for him, you need not see
him at all, dear, as il may be painful to
you, and will surely dash his dearest
hopes to the ground. SO viii tell him
as gently as possible"