Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1882-07-19

-AiaoiS anu oinScriI, anu NOBODY
knows what else, and ignore our wretch
ed poverty. But l can't. Who could?''
MIR. Crofton looked pityingly at the
glrl's sparkling eyes and pale, excited
face.
II am very sorry to hear this" said
he. Can nothing be done?"
Yes" said Miss Monteagle, brus
quely. ''Something'can be done-and
| am doing 1t, in so far as can. But
papa AID mamma must not be allowed
to suspect it. am-learning trade =
"Iour he echoed. "A tradei''
There's a factory near by here" she
said, calmly. ''The country girls earn
little pocket money there sewing OF
shirts. l am to have machine as soon
as have learned to manage it. I &C
every evening, while papa fancies 1 an
at the Greek and Latin, to Farmer
Pelham's whose wife caches me the Use
of tne machine. l am learning house.
work too. made the mayonnaise fol
your salad to-day, and l baked the
bread. Our servant can do nothing oi
the sort. But it would kill mamma tc
think that L stopped, as she would cal
it. to menial labor"
You are quite right, said Mr.. Crof,
ton,
THAT is what l wanted t. know,
said Mary, hastily, ''because, living
here all by myself, in such a strange,
unnatural atmosphere, sometimes get
confused, and scarcely know right from
wrong"
''But they Will have to know it
when"
"When L really go into the factory,
said Mary. "Yes, l know that. But
until then, would fain spare them tue
pang. 1 am to have a dollar a day.
Mrs. Pelham says, ii L operate the
machine skillfully. And dollar a day
will buy mamma many little luxury,
and go far towards paying the grocer
and the baker.
''You are noble lirI," said Nj.
Crofton, warmly; and IN his eyes, al
that moment, Mary Monteagle was
glorified with rare beauty. as she stood
there, the fresh wind blowing her jetty
curls about, the reflection of grange
sunset deepening the color on her cheek
and the grave, farawaJ sparkle of her
eyes half-velled beneath the long-lashes.
"And if / could be of any assistance to
You in this task"
.'You can," said the girl, abruptly.
'.You can stay here and amuse papa, so
that he will not suspect what occupies
my time. You can divert his attention
from Sanscrit and Arabic, and all these
mysteries.
And, for the first time in his exper-
fence of her, Mary Monteagle laughed
mellow, bird-ike laugh.
Il Will, said Mr.. Crofton, heartily.
And so the compact was sealed be-
tween them.
Instead of the week he had promised
his father to spend with Colonel Mon
teagle, the sojourn was extended to
three.
At the end of that period, he gravely
addressed himself To the dark eyed
daughter of the house
"How is the trade?" said he.
Il am to have a machine next week, y
said Mary, with the conscious pride of
one who had conquered fate; and then
--only think of it, MIR. Crofton-I
shall earn a dollar day.
Mary" said Mr.. Crofton, seriously,
81 have been thinking of another plan
for Won. You tell me that this farmers
wife has made a frst-class housekeeper
of you"
s.I baked mince-pies yesterday" said
Mary exultantly; ''and | have quilted 8
quilt and made soft soap. within the
week.
81 don't like the idea of your going
into factory" said Mr.. Crofton. Sup
pose now. by way of variety; you were
to-marry me?
"But you're not in love with me?'
said Mary, opening her bright black
eyes. -,
.'Rut 1 am," said Mr.. Crofton, with
great gravity. 81 have deliberately
made up my mind that 1 can't be hap
py without you. And, although don't
profess to be rich man, believe L car
make YOU a better allowance than Sly
dollars a week, while at the same time
Won will not be compelled to work tel
hours day for it. That is the business
view of the question. Now on to the
more personal one. Don't you think
Mary, that you could love me? Becaus,
T love you very much indeedr'
.I-don't knowi'' whispered Mary
81 might try
And then she blushed charmingly.
So Colonel Mo nteagle's daughter wen
70 the fair Floridian plantation ON th
shores of the river ST. John, and aston
shed every one there with her Thorough
knowledge of housekeeping In all IL
details. And the two old people witt
their burden Of insolvency and ear
lifted off their lives, dwell quietly on IL
the ancient tower-hke house, and talk L
everybody who crosses their path o
..tbe excellent marriage which NJ.
daughter Mary has contracted.
"A thorough scholar" says Coione
Monteagle, with dignity. "A musician
q ingust, thorough Hebrew student
and proficient in Latin and Greek
myself was her Instructor. 1t is no
singular that girl of such intellectual
mower should mar Y we'll"
But Colonel Moateagle, honest ni''n
ra,er dreamed that it was the sewing
machine and soft soap. the mayonnais
dressing and the vehement struggle
oct free from debt, which conquefe
Tr Crofton's heart. There are pient