Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1880-12-01

fe~As OaAlduu al INT
iiaii' and was taken into the parior, where
'ne family were assembled. They all vel.
coined him gladly, for it was a dull. we,
day, and they did not expect any callers,
Bertha sat at the piano. talking to Gerald
oakland from time to time. and finally
coaxed him into giving them song. He
had 8 clear, melodious voice, and sang with
great taste; but he was SO very shy of his
accomplishment that May did not know he
possessed fine voice, and complimented
HIM so highly that he begged her to desis,
with blushing face
Edwin at least seated himself beside
Gerald Oakland, and, after some desultory
conversation, said, in an audible tone:
'.Do you wish 10 know wha. my cousin
said about you the other dayi"
May turned round at this, and said,
quickly and imperatively:
Edwin, do not repeat what said to
you"
He looked at her with provokinsly In
noeent face, and went on, heedlessly:
swell, she told me privately that size
would never marry farmer, and that you
were too awkward and simple for her re-
fined taste"
Gerald glanced at Mays dowucast
countenance, and asked, quietly:
''ls that true. Miss May?"
She shot whitening glance q, Edwin,
and replied YES in low tone.
Gerald changed color, rose abruptly. and
bade them all good night. lie kept his
eyes studiously averted from May us he
came TO her side; then he went hastily
away.
After he had gone, May went upstairs
to her room, too sad and mortified to remain
with the family.
Oakland did not come 10 the Hail for
some time after that: but he treated May
with 4 marked coolness that panied her
excessively, although she, true TO her
womauly instincts. retained her gay, CO.
quetiish manner still.
The months passed swiftly on, till, be-
fore any one realized il, winter had come
with its keen, frosty breath.
Then came the livel;est time for the
young people, and May soon learned to be
skillfal in skating, as she was in raltzng.
and almost every day her slight, graceful
figure could he seen fitting as lightly as
bird over the ice
1t was a clear, cold day in January, and
May accompanied by her cousins, set out
for Glenwood Brook, which was situated
about two miles from their home. They
had not gone far before they were overtakcn
by Oakland. who came along whistling, his
skates slung over his shoulder.
"Ah, Oakland; just the fellow We want
ed You help May along. and will take
care OF Bertha" exclaimed Edwin, who
good. d.naturedly wished to bring the estrang-
ed couple together.
Thus addressed. Gerald could not do
otherwise than offer his services 10 May,
who accepted them nonchslantly enough,
although her heart was beating loudly at
the same time
The pond was large one, and soon May
and Gerald found themselves quite separa-
ted from the rest of the party.
She started along fearlessly. and was
making for the opposite bank, when Gerald
called out, anxiously:
'.Do not 60 too near that bank, for there
is swift current underneath, and the ice
is thin
Nay did not pause IN her course, and
sent a clear, silvery peal Of laughter after
her.
.'Ah, am not afraid, and l am deter
mined on reaching that bank"
The words were barely uttered when the
ice gave All ominous, creasing sound, and
in moment she sank under it.
She gave one quick scream, and then re-
mained SILENT holding on to the ice with
fast benumbing fingers
.'Oh, I hope he will soon COME" size
moaned-
Gerald was soon beside her, and, bracing
himself against tree, ne took her little cold
hands in his, and, after considerable excr
tiou succeeded in drawing her out of the
water.
He held her half unconscious form In his
arms and murmured, softly:
"My darling, what should | have done
bad / lost youl"
She opened her eyes, wet with tear, and
whispered:
..Would you have cared, Geraldf"
.sCaredp Life would have been worthless
To me had YOU gone!" he exclaimed, pas
sionately.
He was very pale with suppressed emo
t;on and his eyes shone with such a clear
light that they fairly dazzled her.
AT this interesting point they were inler-
united bv The appearance Of Edwin Webb,
rho could hardly conceal his laughter at
the turn affairs had taken.
.cWell, Cousin May, have you forgiven
-. ve,, Had 1t not been for me, yeu would
never have appreciated each other 50 mucn'
Wh.t do you say Gersld-do you not owe
me many thanks' ,v
Gerald looked at Nay, and repieu'
"Yss, Edwin; do owe you many W tnsnn saa,s
- .houId never have known the deptn