Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1879-03-12

My dear Grace, pray let us drop this
subject. L assure you l have no de-
signs, either good or evil, upon Birtie
The girl is Of no more importance to
me than any of the farm hands here"
The next day as Frank idled in the
shady front porch, reading aloud a
poem to the ladies stranger drove up
TO the gate.
"What splendid horses" said Miss
Stonor, as the gentleman fastened his
fiery black team.
surely 1 have seen them before" +"
remarked Frank, meditatively; then,
as the visitor opened the gate, "Well,
upon my soul; it's Charlie Thorn" :"
and me sprang up to greet the conner.
''Oh. Mr.. Desmond, how are you?"
L did not expect to meet any one here
that l knew. This is the farm, is it not,
kept by Mrs. Amelia Newton?r
''it is, and we are on visit" an
answered Frank, introducing Mr..
Thorn to the ladies'.
perhaps you can tell me. remarked
Charlie, when the introductions were
over, "whether girl by the name of
Alberta Talbot lives here:"
The ladies looked at each other sig
nificantly, and Frank answered:
''There was such girl here house
maid-but it was discovered this morn
ing that she had run away"
AN 4
". why, and where has she gomez"
NO one knows why; and as she
was only child whom Mrs. Newton
took from an orphan asylum to bring
up, she says she shall not take any
trouble to find her. She surmises that
the girl has gone to London.
II am sorry, very sorry" said Mr..
Thorn, thoughtfully, ris handsome
face wearing vexed look. THAT girl
is an heiress, and | am her guardian.
had just tracked her here, and now to
have lost her again is very provoking.
As drove up from town | cannot pos
sibly think of starting back to-day. i
wonder ii Mrs. Newton could aceomo-
date me over night"
Ii was soon ascertained that Mrs.
Newton could accommodate him as long
as he chose 10 stay: but the next MORN
ing that gentleman accompanied by
Frank Desmond, set out on his return.
So late was ii on the second day OF
their drive. when the gentleman
reached the city that little could be
done that night towards hunting up
the runaway heiress, and he invited
Desmond TO spend the evening with
him at some place of amusement.
After dining they sauntered into the
Strand In no hurry to be present at
the opening of the play, the gentlemen
walked slowly, talking gayly OF society
news, but scarcely noticing the people
they passed. But near Wellington
street, where there Was slight break
in the crowd, the lonely figure of girl
standing irresolute, with pale. weary
face, before closed shop window, at
tracted Desmond's attention.
With a quick exclamation of rSiumph
and surprise he sprang forward and
caught the girls hand.
''Bertie, BERTHE, darling" he eX-
claimed softly, but eagerly, "why did
you run away from me:"
The girls only answer was slight
scream, and look of terror as she put
up her disengaged hand 10 shield her
face from his gaze.
''Bertie," he went on rapidly, for
Mr.. Thorn was nearing them, ''you
ought to be glad to see me, | have
brought you such good fortune. This
gentleman came to Newton Farm, to
find you the morning alter you ran
away. He traced you from the orphan
asylum, where you were placed as a
child, because you are his ward and an
heiress.
"And my cousin,' added Charlie
Thorn, who had come up in time to hear
the last words.
The poor girl stared wondeSngly at
the stranger, too terrified and Do sur
prised to utter a word; but Charlie ex-
plalnel Drleny ana hlnuly.
"Your mother, my own cousin, dis
pleased her father by her marriage ,and
he disowned her. just before his death
repented. and searching for her discOv-
cred that she and her husband had
died suddenly, but had left child,
who had been sent to the orphan asy-
lum. He was taken ill, but before
he died he arranged that if you were
living you should be the heiress to two
thirds of his fortune, and L should be
your guardian. And now tell us why
YOU ran away, and what you have been
doing"
Il cannot tell you why ran away"
said she. .ssbut | have walked the streets
two days trying to get place. and last
night | walked the streets or slept on
doorsteps, and did not know what /
should do tonight"
.You are all right now" said Char
lie, gently. 81 have an aunt living near
here where | will take you. Under
these circumstances, Mr.. Desmond, you
will excuse me if fail to keep my en-
gagements with you"
"Of course" answered Frank polite
ly. Good evening Miss Bertie," and
he raised his hat gallantly 10 the pale,
forlorn girl, who trembled upon the arm
of the wealthy and stylish Mr. Thorn.
Bert:e gave him glance and turned
without speaking.
Five years from the night she stood a
trembling outcast, BERTHE Talbot moved
"a stately, handsome and elegantly
dressed woman-through the gorgeous
ballroom of the most fashionable hotel
at Scarborough.
"You have seen the new star, of
says Gus Talboys TO Frank
Desmond. who stands chatting with his
long ago sweetheart, Miss Stonor.
..what new starr" asks the lady.
"a Miss Talbot, Charlie Thorn's
ward, whom he has just brought from
abroad, where they say she has made
the greatest sensation. There they
come now. Isn't she splendid"