Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1882-06-21

anu viva, tthllS tne pfOIereu seat
istened while the grave man, will
straight black brows, and keen hndl,
eyes explained the terms with pleasan
courtesy.
And when she lifted the obnoxiou.
green vel moment, TO conclude som,
necessary arrangement, Clifford Chan
dos started ever so slightly as he saw
the pretty girlish face before him, a.
serene and dignifed IN its grave bust
ness-llke composure, as though IFS own,
er We're eight and nifty, instead of eight
and ten.
''When will we look at the place Miss
"Rayner, supplemented Viva.
';AIiss Rayner. Shall We say to-mor-
row at one?"
cat two, if it is convenient"
Certainly; two, If preferable.
Then he held the door open as cour-
teously as though she wore sealskin
and diamonds, while, with quiet grace
she bowed slightly, and passed from
the room.
And Clifford Chandos went back to
his chair. a softer-light in his keen gray
eyes, and actually. for once in his life,
forgot to relight his cigar.
The day came at last when. from the
stuffy city house, the Rayners moved to
the pretty roomy cottage, where honey
suckle and wild roses struggled at t!ieir
own sweet will over roof and porch.
And Viva, coming home from the
dusky city three evenings IN the week.
pale and tired, frightened and laughed
her own low happy laugh at the sight
of her mothers face-growing young
again-at the window, at the sound of
Dick and Jessie's boisterous laughter.
1t was curious all the repairing that
cottage needed after they moved in.
1t was more curious that their quiet,
handsome landlord should insist on su-
pervising it all himself.
He grew into their simple lives in
those days.
Mrs Rayner came to think the chez
~ voices better than medicine, the
children TO shout Justify at sight of him
and Viva to listen for the sound of his
firm footsteps on the garden path.
One evening, the soft May wind was
swaying the ''lady fingers" as the chill
dren call them, over the door.
Viva snatched up her hat and strolled
down to the pretty rustic gate.
Just little more tired than usual,
after a desperate struggle TO teach an
irritable obtuse pupil the mysteries of
crochets, and quavers, and demi-sem-
iquavers.
She stood there, a fair, girlish figure,
in her soft white dress, a great bunch
of blue meadow-violets at her slender
throat and waist.
The scented wind gently Iooseued
the dark-browu hair, and blew fitful
drift of rcse-bloom into the pure pale
face.
Very pretty?
Well, Clifford Chandos thought so at
all events, as he came along the uneven
country road with his light firm foot
fall.
"Good evening, Miss. Rayner!'
She turned suddenly, the faint flush
deepening to carnation.
"Good evening, Mr.. Chandosl'
1 think person can give one very
tolerable shake bands without holding
ones fingers quite a minute.
But apparently Mr.. Chandos thought
differently.
Miss Rayner, Will you come for a
walk-iust a little way down the road?
''There is place there would like
you to see."
He asked plead1ngly, hungrily, as
though fearful of a refusal.
SIS it far?''
"No," eagerly; "quite near. Besides
Miss Viva, have something to tell you
or rather, ask you"
They were already strolling on.
She paused, and looked up in vague
alarm.
.'To ask me, Mr.. Chandos?"
"Yes. Viva, 1 want to ask you to
leave Rose Cottage"
Was he mad?
s'To leave Rose Cottage" she repea-
ted blankly.
She stopped short, and looked up at
him with brown bewildered eyes.
Are you not satisfied with us as ten
ants? What Will mamma say"
II did not ask your mother to leave
Rose CottaSe"-and his voice was
trembling and low-'I ask you
ME? Why, Mr.. Chandos-
She broke off abruptly as she saw the
look in the eyes of the man regarding
her.
Such a look as would make more sue
cessful wooers in the world to-daY-a
look of passionate love and resolute de
termination to have her IN spite OF her
self.
s"Viva, my darling-my darling, he
cried, all the mischief in his voice swept
away in his fiery earnestness, "won
you understand?
81 love you very dearly, Viva, and
want YOU to for my wfe.
"Yes. / understand" she said SIMPLY
lam not a very rich man, dear, but
I would give my life to make you hap
py." ,,,,h,
She looked up at him with bright
out shining eyes, and though her cheeks
famed hotly, she said, IN her eei'''
I,