Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1879-01-22
The Snow Shroud.

Father, cannot marry Jasper Mar
vim; my whole soul revolts against it.
[ do not respect him, much less love
him."
And Bessie raised her pale face 10 her
fathers stern contenance
For a moment there was silence; then
Paul Gray, in hard, sarcastic tones,
said:
You cannot marry Jasper Martin
You cannot love him: Vino asked you
10 love him: But see here, girl, and
his voice trembled with concentrated
passion, "you shall either marry Jasper
Marvin or leave my house.
Although the slight figure trembled
and the small hands elapsed and un-
clasped nerYously, still her white lips
repeated:
II cannot, fatheT-l cannot.
Her reply seemed 10 make him furi-
Gus, and for a moment speech was de-
MED him.
Then, as the paroXysm passed away,
he said between his set teeth:
Go, and never let Inc see your face
again.
He held the door open for her TO pass
through, and, as she 1ortered across the
threshold. he closed the door upon her.
Mounting the staircase. she entered
her own apartment. and, sinking upon
chair, gazed in dazed sort |f way
into the glowing fire.
At length, rousing herself, She began
filling her satchel with 4 few necessary
articles.
Having finished her task, she divest-
ed herself OF her evening dress, and,
arraying her figure ia heavy, dark
travelling suit, and fastening large
waterproof over all, stood ready TO de-
part on her journey.
Standing al the so0r she glanced for
the last time upon the pleasant room
which had so long been hers.
The tears fell thick and fast, but her
purpose never wavered, as she started
for the railway station.
At length the station was reached,
and, having obtained ticket, she drew
her veil closely over her white face and
seated herself i'll an obscure corner OF
the carriage.
As she sat there alone, with no one
TO speak comforting word, no kindly
hand held out to assist her, the slight
figure swayed back and forth with the
intensity OF her emotion.
Gradually the tempest Of grief spent
itself, the tears ceased to fail, and, in
stead of wild, anguished thought, a
cold numbness pervaded her whole
being.
lt all seemed like 4 troubled dream.
As the train thundered into the sta
ton, Bessie was again brought TO a
sense OF her utter desolation.
She went to a hotel, very sad and
lonely.
But nights rest gave her new
strength, and when she arose next
morning, she was much refreshed IN
body and mind.
To-day she must begin TO earn her
living,
Having procured a morning paper,
and looking over the advertisements,
selecting those which she thought most
suitable, Bessie donned her hat and
cloak, and sailed forth.
The first call on her list was IN aus
wer to an advertisement for a gOverness.
As she rang the bell Of the palatial
residence her heart qnaked, and she
trem5led with excitement.
As the echo of the bell died away,
The door was opened by a servant, who,
upon learning her errand, ushered her
into an elegantly furnished parlor, and
then went 10 inform his mistress of her
presence.
Bessie had not long to wait, for
scarcely had she seated herself when
the lady OF the house entered the room.
Upon her entrance, Bessie arose and
bowed politely.
The lady acknowledged her courtesy
by naughty inclination Of the head,
and then, sinking gracefully upon a
chair, she said:
"You came in answer to my adyer-
tisement. believer"
Bessie ventured a timid-
Yes"
Have you ever been employed As a
governess beforc?'' she asked.
"No," said Bessie, 'but-"
she was interrupted here by the la
dy's rising abruptly.
Turning toward Bessie, she said
laughtily:
Then under no circumstances what
ever could 1 employ you"
Bowing frigidlv. she swept from the
room. leaving Bessie in tumult of dis.
appointment and wounded feeling.
"She might have treated me littI,
more kindly" she murmured as she
again reached the street.
The rebuff which she had received
disheartened her greatly; but she knew
that upon her feeble efforts depended
her livelihood, ands he must perseyer'
and try again.
And she did try; but the Fatcs seemed
against her, for, when night came. sh'
had obtained nothing TO do, and, sick a
heart, she returned TO the hotel.
The first day was but preface of th'