Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1881-12-21

ed and half questioned. "Why did
you not speak ?"
"There was nothing to say" he re-
piled, struggling his shoulders.
Nothing to say?,' she repeated.
Gould you not have told her what
was TO you?"
"And what is that?" he asked.
"You ask me?" she answered. "What
have your words and kisses meant? Did
you not love me? Did you mean me to
be your wife,"
81 loved you yes; but really have
not given consideration to the question
of matrimony. Do not be foolish, Cecil.
1 am ready to do anything in reason, my
dear, to atone for any trouble you may
get into on my account"
''Hush!" she cried, stamping her foot
upon the deck, her eyes flashing In his
face. ''Don't make me despise you
here! An hour ago loved you. Think
of it, An hour ago would have lived
forever on the narrow limits ofthis ship
alone with you, and considered mysef +
blessed among woman. Now I wonder
the whole world is wide enough to hold if
us two, and give my contempt breathing
spacer'
The scathing words left him no reply.
They still burned in his soul after the
echo of her retreating footsteps had died
away.
For the first time in his life he felt
contempt for himself, and the sensation
was by no means agreeable.
Neither could he shake it off as the
days merged into weeks.
He wondered too, if Miss Thornton
had been discharged. No! he learned
that she was still in Mrs. Rays service
Doubtless she had made satisfactory ex-
PLANTATION, and Mrs. Ray had pardoned
the indiscretion.
This should have satisfied him but it
failed to do SO. He grew more and
more i'll at ease-restless, almost unhap-
py.
At last, like a lightning fash it burst
upon him. He had been playing with
fire and it had burnt him; he had been
playing with love. and Cupid had re-
venged HMM love-with but one
hope, one thought. one wish to gain,
Cecil Thorton for bis own-his wife.
OF course he would have to ask her
forgiveness. For time she might he
state to grant it. but IN the end he
must win. After all, his means were
ample to provide his wife with every
comfort, and her beauty would adoril
his homel Why had he been SO blind ?
Poor childl How much she must have
suffered,
The more he thought of it the nearer
came the reality home to him, and the
more impatient he grew for the fulfil
ment OF his desire.
Confident and rejoicing, he pulled
Mrs. Rays bell, in the dusk of a winter
evening.
"Yes, sir. Miss Thornton Is in the
library" said the man who admitted
him.
She sprang up with glad cry ut the
sound of his footstep, then drew back,
her face growing very pale as she recog.
nized him.
He came forward, with outstretched
hands.
"Miss Thorton-Cecili" he began. 81
have come to acknowledge my wrong
and to beg your forgiveness. Oh, dar'
ling, these months have taught me my
own heart, and how your image fills 1t
1 cannot tear it out was mad thai
night-madl Now 1 am sane, and
have come to fall at your feet, if needl
be, if but you will smile your forgive
ness into my eyes, and say to me yor
will become my loved and hosoret
wife.
Thrice she had tried TO check him bu
in vain.
"Hushl' she said, now very gently
81 am sorry for this, yet glad that cal
give you back portion of my forfeited
respect. More, Mr.. Winton, you cal
never claim. My love for you was killet
at one fell blow, I thought that
could never live again for any man, bu
| l have learnt differently. ] am engages
to be married to Mr.. Give, Mrs Ray
brother. thought it was he when yo'
came. We are to be married mex
month. It's but just that you shoul
know"
Just? Aye, with the awful justic
which made Of Harold Winton's futur
life SO barren and cheerless a thing-jus
with the Justice which made mems prais
of John Gives beautiful wife two
edged sword in his soul-just with tn
Justice of his own outraged love, which
too late showed HIM his lies mistake.