Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1877-10-03
Merry Vale;
The Blue-Eyed Mystery.
CHAPTER l.
Bf 4. c. HARBAUGH.


on law to the library and looked at tn,
gray-bearded man who occupied on,
corner of the office
''Well, | think I'm sufficiently forti.
fed" the young man said, with :
smile. I'm going over to Merry Vale. .
The old lawyer looked over his gold
trimmed spectacles, and regarded hi;
youthful partner with a humorous ex-
preston of countenance
Sufficiently fortified, eh,'' he said.
Clarence, my boy, youmay be attacked
from quarter entirely unlocked for.
The foe may find a weak place in poor
defenses.'
The young lawyer gave his partner
curious look as if he was not wholly
able TO analyze the mixture of humor
and sOberness in his eve
Explain" he said. .1Of course,
do NOT wish to fail in my mission. If
you can strengthen my defenses, for
the sake of the cause, do sO,''
Jotham Truce. the old attorney,
laughed outright.
''You view everything with serious
eve he said. ''You have never been
TO Merry Vale:''
Never"
And, therefore, know nothing about
its inmates"
Il might say that you are correct,
though 1 have heard something about
the eccentric old fellow who lives
there
''Is that all?'
"All, Mr.. Truce
Then go and understand the tenants
of Merry Vale better than you do. But
look out for an attack. | fancy that
YOU are destined to meet it"
lothian Truce was talking in a mock
seriousness of manner that further
mystified his partner, who awaited the
conclusion of his remarks with much
impotence.
But, Mr.. Truce
You will find out soon enough,
boy the old attorney interrupted
with a smile. Il am over head and ears
in this troublesome Bodle case, so per-
nit me to wish you success at Merry
Vale
Clarence, finding himself dismissed,
left the Office and mounted the chestnut
horse that stood before the building"
His destination was beautiful estate |
about three miles from the city. 1t lay |
in the centre of a picturesque valley, |
like a lock of golden hair in a setting of
diamonds There seemed TO hang over
it some indefinable mystery which kept
people away. But few persons ever
mentioned the name of the estate, and
its owner, noted for his seclusion and
eccentricity, was looked upon as bad
man.
He never came to the city. An old
servant. whose lips were as sealed
book 10 the curious, made the purchases
required at the cottage, and the daily
life of its tenants remained unknown.
The young lawyer revolved these
things in his mind as he rode along,
and the strange place burst suddenly
upon his sight when he reached the
summit of rise. The beautiful valley
seemed TO lie at his very feet.
They ought TO be happy there" he
exclaimed, feasting his eyes upon the
cottage shaded by vines and stately
trees. at looks like a romantic para
disc. am sure that some angel must
inhabit IT,.
With such like expressions falling
from his lips, Clarence Mayo descended
into the valley, and rode down the elm.
bordered avenue towards the dwelling
Dismounting at last, and leaving his
horse at the hitching-post, the young
man continued his journey on foot.
The air seemed heavy with the perfume
of flowers. and birds fitting from
branch to branch made the day redolent
with their music.
All at once vision lovelier than the
scenery greeted the lawyer, and he
paused suddenly in the path.
4 door had opened right in front of
him. and, with song on her lips, l
young girl had appeared to his view.
This was the vision.
She started at sight ofthe unexpected
visitor, the song was broken, and, with 7
her hand lingering on the latch, she
gazed into his face.
Dressed in spotless white, with no or
nament save the wild rose that seemed J
10 blush on her bosom, and with mass I
Of golden hair that appeared TO touch
the ground, so long and wondrous it
looked to the lawyer, she was very
beautiful. There was depth of Won
derment in her blue eyes, which he
could not fathom, and he attempted to
remove embarrassment by speech.