Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1882-03-01
AN OLD MANS DARLING.

and John Ashly, watched her from the
doorway. on his face, could think o.
nothing but a bird or butterfly, as she
fitted about from rose to lilac, with heI
yellow curls flying about her face in 8
cloud, and her eyes full of sparkles like
water in shadowy places
His years were more than double hers.
He was a man whom study had made
sober and thoughtful in early manhood.
He had q brave strong face, with a
strange gentleness in it now, as he stood
and watched the girl in the garden. She
was the only child of an old friend of his
who had left her to him when he died;
he had accepted the trust willingly. He
had tried to be faithful to it. And he had
succeeded.
''She is growing into beautiful wom-
anhood, he said to himself. ''Some
one will be robbing me of her one of
these days suppose"
He sighed little as he spoke, and the
thoughtful look upon his face grew dee
per.
"Unless-" and then he stopped sud
denly. and shook his head, as if to as
sure himself that what had been in his
mind that moment WAS not to be thought
of seriously.
The girl in the garden began to sing
Her voice was clear as any birds, and
the still morning air rung with its melo
dy. John Ashley left off thinking to
listen,
A bird perched on one of the lilac
bushes by the gate began a song in pure
rivalry. 1t seemed as if he would split
his slender throat in his attempt to out
warhle the singer in the garden.
She listened moment, and began
again; She ran up and down the lines
of melody in lights and dips of sounds
that made him think of bird fitting
in mid air.
"Bravol he cried, slapping his hands
as her voice died into silence, and the
bird flew up and away in the blue over
head. "You have put your rival to
fight"
.'Why, Johnr"-she always called him
that-'I didn't know any one was list
ening."
You'd make a fortune with your
voice" he said. But l wouldn't like
to have you try If"
"Why?" she asked.
because L don't want to lose YOU" &"
he answered.
You'll never be fortunate enough to
do that" she laughed, '1'm going to
stay with you always, John"
you'll change your miud, some time"
he said, gravely, looking away toward
the mountains IN that way he had when
thinking deeply. wait till Roy
comes"
II wish Roy was here, she said com
ing up the steps, and stopping close by
him. "You have told me so much about
him that want TO see him."
''He will be here to day or to-mor-
row." he answered, thinking that with
Roy's coming there would be an end of
the old quiet life IN which he had Sta
cia all to himself.
Somcway it had seemed to him all
along as if Roy would marry Stacia.
They we're suited to each other. He
knew of no one he would sooner give
her to. but-and always at the thought
of giving her up to any one there was
curious little pain at his heart. He wan
ted her for himself.
ldl
81 like him very much, ''she told John
Ashley next morning. ''We shall be the
best of friends.
s'Or lovers?" he asked, with a grave.
SOW smile.
"Oh, no; only friends" she said,
dropping her eyes before his earnest
gaze. while a soft color like that in a
roses heart came into her face. I'm
going to have no lover but you, John. "
"Wait and see," he answered: you
don't know your heart yet.
But Stacia only shook her head.
She and Roy were the best of friends,
as she had said they would be. She
had never known brothers love CT
companionship and Roy's pleasant ways
won a place in her regard from the
first.
There were long rows on the river IN
the pleasant days when all the world
was full of summer sweetness, and walks
in the twilight. And John Ashley, sit
ting apart, with only his thoughts to
keep him company, saw the two togeth-
er, and told himself that what he had
foretold had come true. Roy loved her
and he was going to lose the woman he
loved.
81 must be fool to think of such
thing as linking her life and mine
together" he said, bitterly, one day, as
he stood at Il window. watching them
rowing slowly up and down the river.
.T am almost an old man. May and
December were not meant to mate to-
petber. And get, women have loved
men as much older than they were. as
am older than Stacia. Ii she could love
me how complete life would seem!
Without her, shall always be lonely
man."
One day Roy and Stacia were In the
garden together. They were tying up
carnations.
81 don't know anything in the world
sweeter than carnations except your
cheeks" Roy said, all at once.
..That's a very piotty compliment.
said Stacia. 81 suppose 1 ought to give
YOU something in return. Here Is
carnation. That's fair-you give me
compliments and I'll pay IN carna'
tiens.e
s.l'd rather you'd pay in kisses,
laughed Roy. do you know am Ieal
ous over that kiss you gave uncle JOIN
this morning; you never kiss me In tha'
way" un.
who loves me best" she answered
softly. 5aon,v
you must have seen that Stacla!
have loved you since the first time saw
you"
I never thought you cared for me
not in that way at least, said o.acla aca,
pulling away the hand Roy had 'aSei axe,
possession Of. 81 hope 1 haven I don,
or said anything to make you tnin'