Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1879-10-01
A Shower of Rain.

Down came the rain in a Pelting merci
less shower.
At one crossing a miniature lake had
formed several feet in length and breadth.
and three or four inches deep; its shores on
every side were mud-black, slippery mud.
1t was amusing 70 see the hurryiug peo-
pie drenched, chilled, uncomfortable, i'm
patient to be home come to a dead stop at
this one crossing and hesitate, with faces
expressive of disgust and dIsmay.
What chance had Ethel Thornton's poor
little weary feet, so small, so miserably
clad, IN such a slough as this
She glanced around despairingly.
And the next moment she found herself
lifted in a pair of strong arms, carried high
and dry over the mud and mire, and Sc
down on the other side. while the rescuer,
raising his dripping hat, with pleasant
bow and smile, passed quickly on his way.
She stood where he had placed her as if
turned TO stone, following his fast disap-
pearing figure with her dark eyes; her
hands were clasped convulsively, the color
was flaming in her checks under her wet
black veil
at was Frank" she gasped. ''It was
Frank himself, and he held me in his arms
and never knew me-
\ quick sob burst from her lips. o hard
hard fate. to meet thus-so close-and
part without a word
Her lovor-hcr promised husband OF one
Year ago.
Just then her foot struck against some
thing hard.
She stopped and picked it up--a large
pocketbook.
.'Frank's," she said, quietly and hope
lessly; then she wiped 1t tenderly with her
handkerchief, pressed it to her lips, and
slipped it into her bosom.
As she did this, she threw her veil aside
for the tears and rain together nearly blind
ed her.
/ doubt if Frank would have recognized
her, even If he had seen her FACET was so
worn and weary looking, and stained by
the wet black veil.
Not much resemblance there to the pret-
ty, piquant, blooming girl whose love he had
sought so eagerly year ago; not much in
her appearance just now to tempt any man
to WOO her.
So thought Mrs. Benton, the landlady,
as she let her in, and stared aghast at her
utterly drenched condition.
Glad indeed was Ethel to reach the quiet
of her own roOm-glad of the cup Of tea
her mother gave her-glad to lie down and
rest.
She groped blindly to her little desk and
put the pocke;bock away.
Tomorrow, she whispered to herself
-.his address will be inside-I'Il send it
back tomorrow.
Then sinking wearily on the bed, she
murmured:
scMother, feel so strangely. 1 wish
now-that had taken-your advice, and
stayed home, to-day"
The words came family, in low, broken
gasps, from her parched lips.
She lay there without speaking for some
time, and then articulated:
IL failed again-no work-no hope-no
Her ewes closed, her voice ceased, she
fell back, burning and shiveung. The poor
child had contracted a serious illness in
IL, II, of faTn
Meantime Frank Merrifeld was anathe-
matizing his i'll luck in losing valuable
pocketbook with bills, receipts, money-ali
sorts of important matters in II.
at must have been when carried that
girl over the muddy crossing. had 1t the
minute before, and | missed it shortly al
forwards. Confound my quixotic folly
WHY couldn't mind my own business and
let her alone9 Poor little thing, she look
ed wet and miserable, and something about
her somehow reminds me d
He paused and leaned his head upon
his hands in painful thought.
.eYhy can't ever forget herr Poor lit
ne frail. false heart, why can't | let her go :
Why does her sweet face haunt me every
where-not bright and sparkling as L used 10
know it, but pale and reproachful looking
Reproaching me, All, Ethel, how mucil
loved YOU! How happy we might have
been to-day, had you only been true
He arose with an impatient gesture: as oi
one who. by an effort of will puts VAIN re-
grets aside rho,s
GLOW torecover the pocketbookI lhat 5
tho present question. There was money ID
II the finder is welcome to that; the oiiiS
and papers are what want, and-her pof-
trait Yes-there's no use in denying II 10
myself. / am fool enough to care Ior 'iia',
ri advertise in the papers Coniounu 'i'A'
shower of rain !" r,o roate
.sTbree weeks mamma Three "eehs
Iv;ng here deliriousl Why, what coui''
have made me so iIli My head is 50
stranpeL seem to forget everything
Mrs Thornton gazod anxiously on the