Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1877-10-04

10 the Ifl1Tu story 'front.' room ana see
that he 10 attended too.''
Bro wn saw that it would not do
to seek an explanation in the pre-
sence of the servant, 20 he quietly
submitted to being led upstairs and
dismlssing the gill he shut the door
and began to ruminate ION what
should be the next move. It was
evident that he was getting himself
into scrape, and he concluded to
explain matters at the earliest oppor-
tunity. The supper bell interrupted
his meditations, and it was with
rather q nervous air that he answer
ed th 9 summons. He found Mrs.
Judkins already at the head of the
table, while opposite her sat a young
girl, that he found to be her daught-
er, and whom he afterwards describ.
ed to be the handsomest piece of
feminine coquetry that he ever be-
held.
He took his seat at the place de-
signated him, afser being introduc-
ed to the daughter, and the meal be-
gan. Brown felt he could not ex-
plain matters in the presence of all
their lpveliness, and so concluded to
wait until some more auspicious
moment, Mrs. Judkins kept up an
animated conversation, and finally
touched on her absent husband.
"Where did you and he become
acquainted, Mr.. Brown ?''
Brown remembered Judkins' note,
and said, flatteringly. "I think it
was at school, ma'am %
cat schoolln exclaimed the little
woman. repeating the words, "and
you have continued such good friends
ever since ? I have often tried to
persuade my husband to ask you to
come and spend some time with us.
He talked of YOU so much that I al
most felt knew you, too. He pro-
missed that as soon as yoa came from
abroad he would send for you, and
like o dear old fellow that he is, he
has kept his word. How long
were you abroad !"
Brow began to feel uncomfortable.
He had never been abroad in his
life, He coughed ohce or twice and
then replied: we
''Really, madam, your husband
must have been misinformed. L
have not been out of my village Of
saltwater for o year."
Indeed 70 calculated the lady,
land Mr.. Judkins did not know Of
your return until recently 2 Well
| that is too bad"
Brown thought it was, but did
not make any reply; and to avoid
any recurrence to the subject, until
| he had explained matters, he ad-
dressed himself to the daughter,
and so the meal ended. The trio
then withdrew to the porch and
occupied the rustic seats to enjoy
the pleasant night. Brown began
to reflect whether he did right in al
lowing matters to go as far as they
had lie was convinced that he
never had met Mr. Judkins. but
what would his wife and his beanti-
ful daughter now say should he com
NIT himself, and then .on the other
hand, what excuse other than the
real state of the case, could he
make And what would Judkins
Edo if he should return Unexpectedly
while he was there 7 His cogitations
were put an end to by Mrs. Jud-
kins, who excused herself, saying
she ''must go in and help the SER
vant''-thus leaving our unhappy
hero alone with the daughter. Now
Miss Judkins was pretty as we be-
fore stated, and she also seemed to
be aware of this fact herself Ia COM
mon failing with pretty young wo-
menl She also exhibited strong
coquettish tendencies, and as this
class of people are supposed to gath
er homely as well as comely mascu-
lines in their toils--even so Brown
was not exempted. As soon as the
mother had disappeared, the daugh-
ter laid her schemes, and so secure
ly was the net woven that Brown
had to confess himself thoroughly
entrapped before the close Of the
evening. Indeed, so completely in
fatuated was he that had it not been
for the restrain ing influence Of the
mother. who now returned, he
would undoubtedly have committed
himself AS it was, he contented
himself Ivy squeezing her hand till
the owner Of the injured member al.
most cried out with pain, and he
bade her good night.
Ia his room he became more per-
picked than ever. Conscience dicta-
ted he should not delay any longer,
but seek Mrs. JUdkins and explain,
throwing himself on her mercy: but