Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1879-12-17

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when he received Minne's note but he i'm
mediately sailed forth. determined if pos
sible, TO satisfy himself as to the truth of tn
rumor. Stopping in house of physician
with whom he was on terms of intimacy
he said, after few moments conversation
''What is it, doctor, about this affair o
Mr.. Arlin? Is he really so reduced tina
Minnie is obliged TO become a shop girli'
''Well, " replied his friend, 81 thought a
first there must be some mistake, but
heard the old gentleman say this morning
when some one spoke of Minnie being :,
industrious, that Minnie Arlin would make
see her father reduced to poverty and no
some effort to assist him. So | presum
there is some foundation for the reports
But, my dear fellow, Minnie is noble girl
without her property although she ha
no; so pretty face as some young WOMEN.
''Oh, replied Roby carelessly, Il hop,
YOU don't think I'm committed there.
have been somewhat friendly with Minnie
it is true; but nothing serious, | assur,
You. No trouble about the heart" and h,
laughed; although" " added he, Il should
regret exceedingly 10 have them meet witt
reverses."
He soon after took his leave, and return,
ing TO his Office, seated himself at his writ
ing-desk and wrote, sealed and dispatched
the following note:
My Dear Miss Arlin: During the time
that has elapsed since saw you last my
feelings have become somewhat changed,
or rather have aIalyZed them more close
", and / fear we can never be happy to.
geiher. ] see now that ! was somewhat
premature In my proposal, though l still
entertain the warmest feelings Of regard
and friendship for yOu. Your cody reply
to my proposal led to suppose that your
| feelings we're not much interested in my
seif-and perhaps L were best for both tina;
the affair should terminate here.
| remain, most respectfully, your obe-
dient servant, WALTER RoBY.
Minnie she'd tears when she received this
cool epistle, for she hoped, as maidens
sometimes do, that her lover might "bc
tried in the balance and not found want
ing" But brushing the tears away, she
went to her father and handed him the
note, saying:
'.Ah, father, you've los; the handsome.
accomplished young lawyer for a son-in-
law. lie doesn't think your homely, poor
Minnie can make hlm happy
Leaving the room. she caught up her
straw hat and went out to rlmble in the
woods to favorite haunt, hoping the sweet
influence of nature might soOthe and calm
her somewhat troubled spirits.
TIE scene was lovely. for 1t vas the sun
set hour, and the dreamy golden iighi
glanced down between the intcrlacing
boughs upon the soft green moss, making
dancing lights and shadows in every green
wood path. The air was soft and balmy.
No sound broke the stiffness OF the fores
shades save the signing. piaiutive wind
harps. or the occasional carol Of bird.
Yielding to the lulling influence Of the
scene, Minnie seated helscif upon 4 fallen
tree. and was soon lost in reverie. In her
musings. she thought how pleasant it would
be to be loved for ones felf alone; and q
voice seemed whispering in her ear, with
soft, thrilling tone, loves cwn cadence,
and dark eyes were gazing into her own
with tender, loving look. She had wan
dered thus far into loves fairy dTcam-land,
en- tirly UNCONSCIOUS OF all around, when
the cracking of dry twig startled her,
and she sprang Up in alarm; but pair OF
dark eyes looked into her own, and IA
miliar voice reassured her. She laughingly
greeted the intruder, saying
"Why, Herbert, how you startled met
He smiled, and, advancing 20 greet her,
replied:
Il am sorry frightened you-l did not
think to find you here ; but you are looking
pale. are you teint ?" and he gazed at her
with so much anxious solicitude that poor
Minnie's equaniniity was entirely over
thrown. and sinking again upon her seat,
she covered her face with her hands, and
burst into tears. The feelings 50 long pent
up. and the tears that had been gathering
for several days, had at last found vent.
Herbert Clayton had grown up with
Minnie from childhood He had always
loved her, but he felt that a deep gulf sep
arated him, a poor widows son, from the
only child Of the wealthy Air. Arlin, and,
therefore, he felt compelled 10 worship
from afar." He, too, had heard the rumors
of Mr.. Arlin's losses, and he supposed that
this was the cause of Minnie's agitation.
lie could scarcely repress the hope, sweet
and feint though it was, that Minnie might
now lie his; But checking this feeling, he
seated himself by her side to comfort and
cheer her if possible. Gradually she became
calm, and then she impaired to him the
story of Roby. He was indignant at such
baseness, and led on by his feelings, told
Minnie of his love and hopes. His unseliish
affection touched her heart. Here was one
who loved her for herself, and was willing
to take her. even if poor. But the wound
.be had received was too fresh to allow her
TO do aught but rise embarrassed, and,
though thanking Herbert with her eyes, to
shake her head sadly.
But that chance victory decided the fate
of both. The more she thought of Herbert S
disinterest offer the more his characiar rose
in her estimation. Meantime, as she had
consented to receive him as friend, he
often visited her; and gradually esteem for
him ripened into love.
One soft, summer evening, Herbert ven
tured to urge his suit again, and this time
Minnie. though embarrassed as before, did
not say nay, but returned blushing answer
that filled his heart with joy. They fingered
long amid the forest shades, and when they
returned Herbert sought Mr.. Arlin, while
Minnie ran up to her room like frightened
deer.