Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1881-04-27
Nellie Dare'S Love.


I, wss March morning, and yet the
sl,v Was a blue as in June. Manfred
I6x,b stood on Wilson'S hill looking down
uno, the city. 1t cleaned white and beau
,ifnl from the plains, and the hills, green
with their covering of pine forests. rose
still and stately beyond. The dull gray
meadows within sight had peaks of snow
mon them. and the breeze brought the at
r,,osnbere of snow from the mountains,
tbonch the sunshine felt so bright.
Nanfred Lowth stood with his arms
folded across his breast and his tall, pow
,rful figure outlined against the still sky.
As he stood thus, still and resolute in his
soIirude, with his absorbed, masterful eyes,
and face of :. S.artan firmness, he looked
every inch king. Ii was his th,rty-fifth
birthday. There may have been something
sad in the thought to him; for he was ut
lerly alone in life, and the circumstances
which givea sense of airy freedom at 80
bring a feeling OF desolation at so. Pos
sIbly Manfred Lowth thought of this as he
hailed bis birthday morn, and thought how
much Of his life was gone. Not that there
was any sign of aGvahcing age in his Wig
orous figure and abundant dark air. Ash
he suddenly placed one hand upon the
stone wall before hlm aud leaped lightly
over, be displayed a vigorours agility of
exceeding grace; and his step, as he walk
ed down The hill, had the buoyant youth
and hope. II lis thoughts had been grave,
they were SO no longer. He went down
the hill whistllng cheer1ly.
there was a long road Of yellow clay
stretching before him to the city, with
patches OF bare scrub oak at either side.
In one place the road went over a slight
elevation, at the commencement of which
the space beyond was concealed by the hill;
and Just here Mansred Lowth ceased whist
ling, and began searching his pockets Gag
erly. lie laughed merrlly as he brought
forth from the breastpocket of his inner
coat little worsted mltten. This Is how
he came by it.
The morning before he had been going
over that very hill. but not whIstling as
then. Reaching the top, he looked down
upon little figure seated upon a stone by
lonely roadside, where hardly a house
was in SIGHT. /; was perfect picture.
The glrl wore a crimson merino and pref
ty snowy hood, which was pushed back
from her rose Of a face, over the sweet,
low forehead, of which little tresses of
golden hair we're blowing in the mild
March wind. She was altogether too in
tensely occupied to put back her hair
curiOusly occupied, too. She had pulled
her stocking and shoe from her left foot,
and was intently examining the small sole
Of white worsted stocking, while the little
bare, snowy foot rested unnoticed on the
frozen ground.
Manfred Lowth recognized Nellie Dare,
and thought she must be crazy. What in
the world MAS the child doing.
Suddenly quick smile flashed over
NelLie's face, her cheek dimpled, she tossed
oack her hair, and looked up and saw the
watcher on the hill. The stocking was
turned and put on in flash, the little boot
put on (Nlantred Lowth was sure it was
only hail put on, by the tracks it made in
Inc Tracks Il made In the snow near byl,
and Nellie Dare sprang into the cross-road
and hurried out OF sight. Arriving at the
place, LoNth picked up the little white
mlilen. lie put two fingers into It-walk-
ing on, looking at 1t and smiling-and then
Nellie had looked so pretty and frightened.
But why had she uncovered her foot and
examined her stocking by the roadside
surely there were no thorns or thistles
about al that time of the year.
when he came TO the croSs-road by the
pines lie besitated and finally struck into
IL. Then he PIT the mitten back into his
pocket, butioned up his coat, and walked
faster.
Nellie Dare's home was on the Auburn
road, lutte white cottage, with bare lilacs
anu lose vines clinging about 1.-THE love.
.lest pace around N the summer time.
No"' there was face prettier than any
rose al one OF the parlor windows, and
hahired Lowth looked up and bowed to
Aellie's fresh young blood flooded her
nearI as she caught sight of the face which
Personlned all her girllsh ideal dreams.
Hne cropped her book and rose trembling
as Manfred Lowth entered the room. He
!oohed with laughing eyes at the prettlest
AusAllS lace as be took her hands.
Miss Nellie, | have called out of the
pufest curiosity, to know why you have
'aAen the fashion of the chickadeedees and
20 barefoot in the snowy weather 2 he
SAID, after moment.
". Mr.. LOwthl'
We'll, Nellie? =
l wastrying trick
MI. Lowth looked mystihed.
i hat Of the first robin, said Nellie, very
Lluch ashamed to show her childishness tC
hef companion, yet half amused at Lowth'!
expression.
D!d you expect to find him in you
stockingl'
NO Oh, Mr.. Lowth, didn't you eve
hear the old saying
Well, Nellie T.
mai when you heard the first robin o.
spring singing, if you had pulled th'
stocking from your left foot you woult
llhd on the inside of the sole
'What .
"A halr like that of the person you ar
gong 10 marryl'
~ on ridiculous child :!
Nellie face was burning hot at he
ioo1shness, but she could not help laugh
lus al Lowths evident appreciation of il
anu ms thorough astonisnment.
Nellie, LII buy you a rattle the mex
time go into town
Nellie pouted.
Wei, did you find the hairl'
Yes, sIr.'
was 1t mine = tossing back the loos
masseso Of dark brown hair.
A little quivering smile spoiled Nellie
pout.
he rest IS secret.
Then you don't intend to tell whose th
hair was like9'