Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1877-09-12

And away ran the madcap, covered
with dust and nest of bewildered
spiders.
81 declare" said grandmother, elf
they don't fit exactly, one would think
they were made for YOU"
And surely enough, they fitted ex-
actly. Eva took them of very soon,
and folded them in their wrapper, re-
membering that grandmother had said
that she who wore them must be a true
hearted woman. She wanted time to
think whether she were true hearted or
not.
1t so happened that Eva had no more
opportunities for trying on the slippers
while the visit lasted. So she carried
them home with her. Allen did not
make his appearance TO drive them
home, but in his stead one of the farm
laborers.
''Oh, Gerty," cried Eva, as the farm
house came in sight. 81 am so glad we
are at home; now | shall try my magic
shoes"
But Eva's usually quiet home was in
a great state of excitement. Something
unusual seemed to have happened,
which affected all the household, though
in different ways.
"What has happened:" asked Eva,
anxiously, of Allen, when she found
him alone that evening.
"Why, the trouble is, that we are in
danger of losing our old homestead.
Some one has set up claim 10 it, the
falsity of which cannot be proved, be-
cause that an all-important paper has
been lost. We have searched the house
through, but our search has been use
less. One hope still remains, that the
paper may be at grandmother's; il
might have been carried there among
other papers. Tomorrow | will drive
over, as L am very anxious about the af-
fair. The loss of this farm, after so
many years of hard labor bestowed
upon it, will almost kill father"
The next day was an anxious one to
Eva, and in sympathy with her, Gerty
was anxious also. She talked of going
home, But Eva wonld not allow it. The
little lady had no idea of having her
schemes spoiled by such a movement.
The long afternoon wore away
slowly, as the girls watched the return
of Allen from his search. Afternoon
wore into evening, and evening wore
into night. The family concluded that
Allen was not coming that night, and
accordingly they separated with no
hope of seeing him till morning. But
Eva felt confident that Allen would re-
turn that very night, so she sat up wait
ing for him, walking to and fro rest
lessly, and listening for the sound of his
whels. She fancied Gerty was asleep
upon a sofa, where she had persuaded
her to lie down a few moments before.
No one in the house was stirring.
''Now l shall try my magic Shoes"
said Eva, aloud TO herself. 1 do hope
and pray that | am true-hearted."
One slipper was little rebellious and
would not 90 on easily, but Eva man.
aged at last TO get her foot into it. Then
as Gerty seemed sound asleep, and could
not hear, she ventured to speak her
wishes aloud
First and foremost" said Eva,
since it has been the greatest hope of
my heart for long time, | do wish
that my brother Allen would fall in
love with and marry Gertrude Wayland.
| wish that the paper which
proves our right to this house of my
childhood may be speedily found, and
that my father may be as happy in the
possession of that which his cheerful
labor has endeared to him, as it is pos
sible TO be-"
There was indeed the sound of wheels
outside, and Eva ran down to meet
Allen, without ever thinking of her
slippers or wishes. She met him at the |
door, and at the first glance his anxious
face told her that his search had been
useless.
mo hope left, Eva." were his first
words. "Sooner or later we are likely |
to lose our home. Grandmother has
her house from cellar TO attic,
and there is no sign of the paper"
Wearied and depressed, Allen cast his
eyes downward, and they rested upon
Eva's embroidered slippers.
"What fanciful pair of slippers,
Eva," said Allen, suddenly reused from
his weariness. "Did you emfiroider
those, little sister,"
No." said Eva, little embarrassed;
isthey are not mine."
Wondering little at Eva's evident
Allen was about to relapse
into his former anxious mood, when
his sister took OF one of the slippers,
with the remark that it was much tighter
than the other, she wondered why 1t
didn't fit. Allen took up the slipper
and commenced examin-
ing it. There seemed to be something
in the toe which occupied considerable
space. Listlessly Allen pulled out that
with which the toe was stuffed, and was
ssSlo ha