Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1879-02-12
In Disguise.

III OlsS uiSe'
II was the year IS, and 1, 4 man o
81, dwelt in the seaport town Of.
had done business there for ten Ions
years. | was prosperous and wei
thought of by my neighbors, but can.
not say was happy man. Ten year;
before L had had what is called disap-
pointment in love. In my case il wa:
l horrible benumbing blow upon the
neart. The girl to whom had plight
ed my troth, and whom 1 loved with
my whole soul, a young fresh beauty OF
Il, seemingly innocent as child, had
eloped on the eve of our wedding day
with one almost a stranger-a young
man endowed with remarkable beauty,
and with that air Of gallantry which is
most dangerous to woman's heart. Ten
years had passed. had been 4 resi-
dent Of for all that time. Although
had but reached the prime Of man.
hood, | was spoken of as an "old
bachelor"
Often, as | sat alone in my library
used to wonder where the Mark viii
mot of the past had wandered, To ask
myself if the imperishable soul was
dual, or how | still could be myself and
not myself in anything but name and
station: but | troubled no one with
these fancies-not even old Taffet, nay
confidential clerk, who lived in my en-
ploy for nine years, and died very sud-
denly at last. | promoted the clerk
next in order to his place. Then va
cancy being made in the Office adver-
tised for some one TO I'LL it.
sat in my library that night quite
alone, when the servant announced "a
gentleman.
When, IN obedience TO my nod he was
ushered in | arose 10 greet him, and
looked upon a stranger slender young
man with brown hair and blue eyes
with pale, sad face.
Mr.. Wiimotg" he said
"At your seryice,'' l replied.
You have advertised for clerk, =
he faltered. Il have called 10 apply"
[ asked him a few questions. His re-
plies showed that he was capable of fill
ling the post he desired. asked him
for references.
He answered frankly:
'.I have none. | have no friends
who could vouch for me. will Try to
serve you faithfully if you will engage
me-"
Again the eyes that were the color of
Estella's looked INTO mine. Again |
yielded TO their influence without re-
ference. asking only his name. He
called himself Harry Rue engaged
my new clerk. lie came 10 my office
the next day, and no one found fault
with his work.
took fancy TO him. At last |
asked him to NV house. having persua-
ded him to come one evening, it grew
into habit that we should spend the
hours between and 10 together. From
liking him | learned to love him.
had never had brother: had never
had an intimate male friend. For the
first time the perfect bliss OF unalloyed
friendship came to me. | had loved
woman, and she had deceived me. Now
my heart gave all its tenderness to a
man. Friendship, said to myself,
.hould take loves piace-friendship
at would not fail me As love mad. No
woman should ever call me husband,
II L. lol
u son.
When year had gone by | resolved
10 make him my heir; but when / told
him of my purpose. he fell on his
knees at my side and begged me to
change my resolution.
If you persist" he said, in tones that
trembled with agitation II shall leave
you forever. And L long to remain
with you; only | will not have you talk
OF such thing. you who will live
longer than J."
| laughed at him. | wondered at his
exitement. | secretly made my will as
had intended. The months passed on.
had known him nearly two years.
felt that l could not live without him. |
| would have advanced him to any po-
sition in my power, but he refused all |
promotion. He clung to the little desk
in the dark corner, and in public kept |
mis- shy ways and anxious bearing. |
Once or twice. when some great burly /
man crossed the threshold, he hurried /
from the office and hid himself in some |
musty storerooms in the rear. knew |
there was some one whom he dreaded,
and at last | put the question point |
black. He answered thus:
There is man on earth from whom |
hide myself continually. L doubt if
he will ever come to this place, but
had rather die than meet him.
az would tell you all" he sighed as
| took his hand ''but when have told
you we will part. You will drive me
from your presence. Command me
and l will speak; but then all is over.
admit to you that am very guilty
person. Remember, you took me with
put references"
Then said TO myself:
At some unwary moment he has been
beguiled by Satan into dishonesty.
will ask no more. Whatever he may
rave done, love him. do not wish
O know his crime"
And | said to him: Il
II 4, srfanI-hl.