Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1881-08-03


ceiyed her.
Conversation progressed very pleas
antly between the two.
'.Nice girl to talk to-" Mr.. Dean
decided. ''Sweet voice, no giggle, nc
affectation."
Just as he made this reflection, he ell
countered the eyes of Harry Sinton, and
fancied he saw in them satirical amuse-
ment. Awakened by this glance to the
conviction that he wits making himself
the subject of mirth, he sought the side
of an acknowledged belle, and saw no
more of Irene Pierce until dancing
began.
She was standing opposite him, in a
set where the fashionable Miss Bently
was his partner. This young lady was
considered very elegant parsonage.
She wore Paris dress, and the costliest
ornaments of any one in the room. Bert
Deans glance rested with satisfaction
on Irene Pierce. Her face, undeniably
pretty, her dress was stranger to Paris,
and had, perhaps, been made at home !;
but it was accompanied by a smooth
white neck and pair of rounded arms.
As Bert made these comments, and
listened dissatisfied to his companions
commonplace remarks, he decided to
engage his CiS-d-ris for the next set.
He found himself repaid for his daring,
for Irene Pierce could speak of her own
sex without malice. Her conversation
was intelligent, which assured him she
was familiar with the best books, and
her choice language pleased him. All
this he discovered in the pauses of the
dance, and she pleased him SO well that
he fingered at her side rather longer
than mere politeness demanded when
the set was over.
On his homeward way, IN company
with his friend Sinton, he had enccun-
tered some raillery. He announced
himself to have found in Miss Pierce the
most agreeable girl he had found in
long time, truly ladylike and intelligent.
"You can't deny that her hair is red,
laughed Harry.
Certainly not; but it was tastefully
The next day, in the afternoon, found
Bert Dean standing on the steps of the
house which belonged to Miss Pierce's
father. He did not tell his friend that
he had asked permission to call, but he
did.
He found Mrs. Pierce and her
daughter sitting together in the back
parlor, with their work. Irene was
braiding a sacque for her little sister;
and her mother employed on something
more practical She had not been well
as the idea that she was to
leave the room did not occur to her.
Irene did not look as plain as she had
done last night, as her animated CONVEX
sation dazzled him. There was an
affectionate confidence between mother
and daughter that he had not met in the
best society, and he found it, or some
thing else, so pleasant that he largely
the limits of a fashionable
call
81 had better not call again." he
as he went home ''but what
delightful companion she would be"
A week or two went by, and Bert
adhered to his new resolution of not
calling, but was unable to prevent HIM
self from Watching for her.
MAY" he asked carelessly OF his
cousin, one evening, ''who are those
ssOld friends of mine" she answered
substantial people; but why
do you ask?"
81 have met them but here, and that
is the last time have heard of them,
he said.
s.Mrs. Pierce thinks home is the best
place for girls, so she does not go ont
much"
IL Irene Pierce went out so little, there
was scarcely chance that they should
meet except at her own house. And did
he really care enough about the ac-
it valuable enough
for him to take trouble to seek it?
Probably these questions were
answered in the affirmative, as the next
iay brought him to Miss Pierce's door;
nor was that the only occasion ON which
the neighbors opposite had the privilege
Of seeing him. Again and again he
came, but, as time was going on, he
grew strangely difident. Drawn day
by day to Irene's side, happy nowhere
else. he could affirm even to himself that
she was more to him than a friend.
There had been time that, to declare
himself a lover, involved some sacrifices
on his part it seemed strange now that
he should be anxious to make such
a sacrifice, yet doubt, with anxiety
whether Irene would care to accept 1t.
Some weeks of suspense went by, and
be could wait no longer. One bright
day. when favoring fate had left them a
little while alone, he spoke-not very
but still sufficiently cohe-
rently to make his meaning plain.
Irene colored deeply, and refused him.
At this he grew little more self-pos-
sessed, and begged to know her reasons.
She declined to state them. He per-
sisted; was there previous attachment.
She blushed more wildly, and said no
such thing existed.
Was there not some hopes for him,
then? Might not her resolution be
overcome? Might not these resolutions
cease to exist?
Oh, no! Her resolution was unalter-
able. :,
Then he urged an explanation, and
insisted on it as his right. His suit was
pushed with ardor, and Irene's agitation