Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1879-04-02
Minnie's Mistake.

''Oh. Minnie, look, Isn't that a splendid
looking officer conversing with Lou Har
wood See, they are over by the organ "
And Hattie Hastings excitedly grasped her
sisters arm as she spoke.
''He is indeed a fine appearing man,
said Minnie, quietly. But, hush dear,
YOU will attract attention
Zine appearing indeed! Why, he is
superb Now, Minnie, am
going TO be presented before the evening is
over, and unless my powers Of fascination
are on the wane, I'll make a sensation. Do
YOU just keep in the background, for he
looks dignifed enough to fall in love with
your quiet manners, and you know that as
| am the oldest. must have the first chance.
See-they are looking this way-lm sure
they are speaking of Us. We're in poor
hands, too, for Lou Harwood, with all her
sweet. baby ways, cannot succeed in retain
ing lover. and is consequently jealous OF
us more fortunate ones really believe l
have met my fate.
.'Oh. Hattie, what rattle-brdined crea-
ture YOU are, BE quiet now; | want to
hear the speaker | promise TO leave the
field clear for YOU, only don't make your
self ridiculous =" And quiet, sedate Minnie
who. although three years younger than her
madcap sister, seemed at least five years
her senior. turned her attention once more
to the speaker, 4 talented young man, who
with KOssuth. was banished from Hungary
and who had been induced by some of his
friends to deliver a lecture on the subject of
his native land before a lodge of Good
Templars in the village of Westerly.
He was an eloquent speaker, and as, in
telling of his country ana his dearly loved
hut unfortunate leader. his whole soul rose
in indignation at their wrongs, the blue
eyes of the young girl filled with tears OF
sympathy, and, perfectly unconscious OF
the gaze Of a pair OF dark, hazel eyes, she
sat drinking in every word of the discourse,
only turning her blue eyes away when,
amid thunders of applause, the young ora
tor took his seat.
In the meantime, Lieutenant Dane. the
Young officer who had made such an i'm
preston upon Miss Hattie Hastings, was
rayly chatting with his companion, pretty
faced. apparently sweet-tempcred girl, who,
10 Judge from the close attention which she
paid to every word he spoke, and her utter
oblivion to the presence Of others, was de
cidedly of the opinion that her friend had
formed, and was not all averse to the honor
of being the sole lady acquaintance OF the
distinguished soldier.
As his gaze wandered about the pretty
hall. ii rested upon the two sisters, and,
turning to his companion, he asked:
'-NSho are those two young ladies sitting
by the chaplain's desk!'
.'Oh. those are the Hastings girls, re-
piled his companion, with very significant
toss of her head.
.sThey are fine looking girls Are they
friends of yours
..Acquaintances merely. | never liked
them. especially the older one, so | never
have encouraged their friendship. But you
will be presented soos. They are accom-
plished fiirts. and always on the lookout for
fresh victims, so they will manage to bring
about an introduction before the evening Is
over
There was an unmistakahle sneer in the
speakers voice and manner, but, looking
once more at the sisters, and observing the
beautiful, womanly pity that lighted up the
face of Minnie as the exile told of the home
of his youth, he replied:
II have always flattered myself that |
am a good judge OF character, but If that
blue-eved, golden-haired girl is not the en-
bodiment of sweetness and purity | shall
never again lay claim to any special excel
lence in that line.
s.Appearances are often deceitful, said
the girl. Il really hope you will retain
your good opinion of her. And she turned
toward the lecturer, to hide from the gen
tleman the rage which she felt he must
observe. while her heart was filed with
bitterness toward the young girl, who
seemed destined to charm, without an
effort. those whom she, with all her arts,
could no more than amuse for a time.
While the young man, endeavo.ing to
sppear interested in the discourse, was una
lble to prevent his.eyes from wandering to-
ward that part Of the room where the two
Urls sat. one, entirely fOrgetful of his pre-
sence. and the other, noting his glances
and ascribing them TO an interest awakened
in herself. felt her pulse quicken as she
tbo,irht how those ewes could look when
once the heart was touched, and she re-
solved that no effort should be spared TO
bring him to her feet.
Lieutenant Dane was one Of Nature
noblemen. A lawyer by profession, he
bade fair to make for himself a name; but
in the dark hour of his country's need he
had laid aside his dreams Of fame, and, lis
teninr to the call for volunteers, had enlisted
as private in a Massachusetts, regiment.
He had risen rapidly, however, and after
his first term had expired he had re-enlisted
and with his regiment was now encampeo
in Westerly, looking up recruits and await
inc orders TO the front As soon as possible
he hunted UP his old college chum, VIII
Harwood. and expecting to remain in camp
some time, decided 10 accompany his SISTER
Lon to the lodge, in order that he mlgn'
become acquainted with the young people
of the village.
Inwardly resolving TO study the giri "ho
had interested him so deeply to learn ioi
himself whether she was the gentle, noDlt
woman he had imagined her to be, or artfu
and willy as his companion intimated, he
too turned his attention tot the speaker, and,
., the close of his remarks, during the hall
hours interrnission which followed, ne
offered his arm, to Miss Harwood and JOINED
the promenaders, hoping that fortune wonlc