Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1881-12-14

t~APASSHAoH Suc iung AT liIn, Il nave n
Very high regard for Sydney. Geraldine. u
"Have you?" she asked with an IN
difference, which in reality, was as
sumed, though her father did not per-
ceive it. ''What is there about him for
you to admire -
well he is the only surviving son of
my intimate deceased friend, Capt, Will
liams of the army. The captain was
one OF the bravest and noblestmen who
ever trod this footstool, and Sydney's
looks and manner make me feel he is
simply another edition of his father.
He has fine education, is manly look
ing, and is going to make his mark in
the world. He has practiced law only
two years, and he has reputation as
high as any who are double his wears.
| like Sydney very much"
More than any one who comes here?"
asked the daughter, holding the magno-
lin again to her nose, while she glanced
furtively at her suspicious father"
'Well, yes" he returned; 81 can say
do. But why isn't he here?" he ad
ded, looking sharply around"
''He is waiting for me-"
Didn't / see him dressed up III some
outrageous suit-something to match
this highbred style of your make up?"
asked the father, with an amused but
puzzled expression,
'.If You saw him at all during the last
hour you did
'What Is the meaning of it?"
''He is to play the part of gentlemen
of the old school in littlecomedy which
he has cotton up, and which is to be-
given at the private theatricals of Mime
Choteau, next week, for the benefit of
the parish"
"And you and he have been rehears-
ing?"
Something like that. He wanted
me to criticise his suit and make up and
to give him some points, while he vol
unteered to do all that he could for me
in the same direction, Our two charac-
ters are the most important ones in the
piece, and Sydney is anxious that We
shall fully sustain them. We rehearsed
alone. But, father, such an extraorii-
nary thing took place while We were do
ing Sd that / made mp NV mind to come
and tell you.'
"You don't seem to have ieen in
hurry" said he, looking wonderingly
at h-r," fer you have been here half an
hour
The lovely daughter hesitated a mo-
ment before replying. A very singular
thing for her to do.
''He wished me To leave him for
short time"
"Ah, that is it? Very well. am sa-
tisfed to have you here as long as you
will stay"
And the colonel looked with pride up
on his beautiful daughter, who recalled
so wildly the mother when she was
bride, more than score of years be-
fore
IT was just like the proud, young wo-
man, who without any appearance of
excitement or agitation of manner. came,
to the momentous subject which was
really the cause of her being there.
"You say, father, that you admire
or rather respect Sydney very much?"
"That is substantially what said"
CAS- much as any young gentleman of
your acquaintance"
Really more.
"How would you like him for SON
in-law?"
The colonel turned as if struck by
pistol shot, and locked keenly at his
daughter without speaking for a ful
minute. Geraldine herself seemed to
be picking the sprig of magnolia, while
she looked unconsciously down at it:
but, for all her forced composure, the
crimson blood crept up under the rich
skin of her countenance, and strive as
much as she might, she could not hide
the fact from her father that her heart
was throbbing more tumultuously than
ever before.
Suddenly he exclaimed
s'Wnatr'
Il think you heard me, father" said
Geraldine, in low voice, without trust
ing herself as yet to look up.
Are you in earnest my daughter
This was uttered in the same low but
firm voice.
"Come here, my chlldt'
The Colonel kept his seat, while Ge-
raldine standing beside him, looked
down in his face. He took her hand af-
fectionately, while he asked:
"Has he proposed to you?"
"He has,"
"Have you accepted him?"
81 could not do that until / had first
received your permission.
"Does he love you?"
Geraldine laughed in spite of her.
self
81 have strong impression that he
would scarcely ask me to marry him I'M
less he thought pretty well of me-
"Of course-of course: bnt do you
love him?"
'With my whole heart and soul!"
There was feverency, depth of fee
ling, in this exclamation, accompanied
by the flushed cheeks, the sparkling
eve and tremulous hand that rested in
palm of her father, which spoke her
soulful earnestness.
"Well. if that the case, said Colonel
Spencer, throwing away his cigar, "aii
I've got to say is you are both confo,lr-
ded simpletons if you don't get married
-there,''