Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1877-12-19

form towards him, but, breaking away
she ran lightly up stairs.
st. John looked after her with slight.
ly discOmforted expression.
what in the world is the matter
with herr" he thought. However
L suppose she is rather bashful, but
when she has seen something of the
world that will soon leave her, and
ilghting segar he sauntered lazily out
of the room.
The brilliantly lighted house of Miss
lie Roy, the heiress, was thronged with
guests, for since she had vvme into pos
session of such large property, people
suddenly came to the conclusion that
she was very agreeable, and her dinner
parties, receptions, and balls were
slwavs largely attended.
1t was year after her aunt's death,
and though she still wore mourning
out of respect to that lady's memory
she entertained and went out a grea,
deal; for. as she had never cared for
her aunt, scarcely even known her,
she had no scruples which would keep
the large, handsome house closed for
two or three years.
The circle in which she moved was
already coupling her name with that OF
Gilbert st. John, and was looking for
ward to fashionable wedding at the
end of the season.
st. John was very well satisfied. He
had never spoken 4 word of love to her
since the time she left Newport, but
his actions and looks were so express
siye that sensible girl could not help
seeing what he meant.
But Nora lie Roy knew that every
particle of love she had ever felt for the
man had left her heart in that one sleep
less night, and was changed into a
deep, undying hatred.
As he came i'm tonight. with the air
of one perfectly at home there, she well
coined him with a bright flattering
smile:
$50, after all, you decided to come,
truant," she said gaily, holding out a
white hand sparkling with jewels.
He took it in his, saving earnestly as
he did so:
"YOu know, Miss Nora, / never stay
away when | can possibly help it, and
tonight, although I've just returned
from long journey, FASTENED to your
side.''
He gazed' longingly at her as he
spoke. She was looking exquisitely
lovely tonight in heavy black velvet,
hanging in graceful folds around the
1.-the, slender form. The golden bronze
hair was eoified high on the dainty
head that held it so regally. The eyes
were bright as ever, except for a weary,
restless light in them that had never
been there in her happy girlhood which
seemed so far awav now.
The man at her side was really in
love with her, at least, as much As his
tickle, shallow nature could be.
This year she had been so gracious,
so bewitchingly beautiful that Blanche
Hadyn was entirely forgotten, and
Nora lie Roy was his sole aim in this
life.
After they had finished dancing, he
led her tenderly from the close room,
saving, as he did so, .'Miss Nora, you
are warm here, shall we not go out into
the garden?
She assented languidly, and, drawing
the dainty hand through his arm, they
sauntered slowly out.
Nora lie Roy was strangely quiet
tonight, and yet, withal, so fascinating,
that st. John could not repress the
words of love he longed, vet feared 20
speak.
Nora" he began quickly, mora,
you must have seen before this how !
love you, have loved you from the first
we met. intended saying this to you
before you left Newport, but you went
SO suddenly that had no chance then,
and followed you here, and did not tell
nv love at first for fear 1 should be
considered d fortune-hunter, but you,
my darling, know better, and -"
Yes, Gilbert St. John, l knew bet
ter" interrupted the girl in her clear
ringing voice, ''but surely you can't
expect to marry little Nora, you
wouldn't do that even if you had the
wealth of the Indies?"
At the first words, st. John felt his
heart sink, and now his face grew sud-
denly pale as he said hoarsely:
Il don't understand you, Miss lie
Roy"
The girl laughed satirically, then
went on:
perhaps you did not know, Mr.. St.
John, that when you were talking so
confidentially to your friend, my win
dows opened on the very porch you
| were on, and | heard few of your
noble, generous plans. The world may
call me heartless coquette. You have
| made me what / am. Twas an innocent
girl then, you have changed me into 4
scornful woman of the world. / gave
you the first love of my girlish heart,
but, when | heard your words that
night, L swore to be revenged. My
time has come, and now go back to
your first love, Miss Hadyn. 1t was as
you said, very risky thing to do, but
now you have run the risk you will
leave it to the charms of your manner
to do the rest. Good evening"" and.
with mocking courtesy she swept
away, leaving Gilbert st. John gazing
after her as though he were in dream.
He never saw her again, but when he
received an invitation to her marriage
with rich banker, he ground his teeth
in impotent rage, and did what Nora
lie Roy advised him to dO-went back
to Blanche Hadyn; while she. having
lust lost her money in some unfortunate
speculation, unknown TO him, gladly
accepted him, and he found all too late
he had won penniless bride.
1t was ''only summers Irritation"
she would say, but the actors in it never
forgot that one little episode in their
/ lifo,s hisfory