Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1883-09-26

at Ravenswood for months together.
Frank Carelton has only been down
from London fortnight. He is ris-
ing young barrister, with a good private
income of his own; but this has not
prevented his overworking himself a
little, and he has accepted Oscar Bar
rlngton's pressing invitation to recruit
his strength in the bracing air of Sand
combe.
There are not SO many guests as usual
at Ravenswood house just now, SO Dora
and Frank have been thrown together
a good deal; and Mr. Carelton is too
fond of the society of pretty girls not to
think 1t a very pleasant arrangement
altogether.
The day following the little talk on
the beach there is large influx of WIS.,
itors; but Dora finds, to her satisfaction,
that in walks or drives Frank seems
ever at her side, as usual.
One day she laughingly remarks the
fact, but he merely saws, quietly:
Il prefer friends to acquaintance,
Dora. If you are tired already of our
bargain, say so; but it is only natural
that, under the circumstances, should
choose your society rather than that of
anyone else."
So the two wander about together
contentedly, though not unnoticed, for
many are the gIances and little innu-
endoes they have to encounter, much to
Dora's expressed disgust as she freely
discusses the matter with Frank.
''Itis too utterly ridiculous. +" she saws
angrily, as they were enc day walking
through the woods; as if we were bound
to be talking lot of nonsense about
love just because we are alone together.
ridiculous, indeed - calmly asserts
Frank; ''wait until Mr.. and Miss Right
appear, and we go off with them re-
spectively; then these clever people will
see the ditference-eh, Dora?"
Dora's heart gave sudden jump, but
she answers in her usual gentle voice.
though she is rather silent during the
remainder of the walk.
Il am expecting Miss Bruce down
here tomorrow, SO | warn all those of
you gentlemen who still possess that
useful article. heart, to guard it well,
for Nelly is fascinating pussy
So says Mrs. harrington at the lunch
con table one day; and to those who
know the young lady spoken of, the
announcement appears to give univer-
sal satisfaction.
And who is Miss Bruce?" asks
Frank of Dora Grey, by whose side he
is sitting.
lone of the loveliest girls you ever
saw in YOUR life, - puts in Mr.. Barring
ton, before Dora can reply; land just
your style, old man, should imagine y
Frank Carelton looks at Dora, and
repeats, in a low voice, meant for her
ear alone.
''Just my style. Can my fate be ap-
preaching already?'
Perhaps, " is the only reply, given III
equally low tones. ''Do you hope it
may be so?''
II don't quite know said the young
man, gently. Il have my friend, you
know, Dora"
But, Notwithstanding, Mr.. Frank
appears to find the charming, fair-hair-
ed girl, who is told off to his care the
next evening at dinner, very attractive;
and when the gentlemen rejOin the Ia
dies he makes his way straight to the
ottoman upon which Miss Bruce is sit
ting.
''How selfish am, " murmured Dora
to herself, as she watches Franks tall,
handsome figure crossing the room in
order TO turn over Miss Bruce's music;
and somehow everything seems a little
dull and uninteresting to the girls
mind, and heartache accompanied
her to bed that night.
But it is gone by the morrow, and
Dora is her own sweet self, and as days
go on she resumes her rather neglected
sketching, though by degrees she finds
how often she Is without her faithful
friend, and she misses his cheerful chat
ter and genial laugh more than she Will
acknowledge. For Frank Carelton's
testing words seem to have come true,
and he shows no signs of his evident
admiration for pretty Nellie subsiding,
forit is at her side he fingers now. And
there is evidently a very good unde--
standing between them, for 1t necessi-
tates much low talk and apparent per-
suasiye eloquence on Franks part; and
somehow the thought of those two Will
DtISlSl III Obll A11Nh OAA 1COAa
mind, no matter what she Is doing.
AT last matters came to crisis. n
picnic is arranged to be held III some
woods few miles inland, and during
lunc heon on the grass Frank and Nellie
are, as usual, together, and the girl is
in such merry mood that it is evident
she fells very happy. Dora feels more
than ever the foolish position into which
her girlish ignorance has led her re-
spectmg Frank, for more than one re-
mark reaches her, referring i'll no very
fiattering terms to his conduct. But
she defends him on every occasion, and
in such a sweet, unconscious manner
that suspicion is at once dlsarmed re-
specting the state of her heart.
But the effort TO dissemble her diSap- |
pointment in Franks sudden avoidance |
is too great to-day, and she manages,
after luncheon, to steal away entirely
alone, intending to sketch pretty little
glade she had often visited.
But when she reaches the spot she |
merely seats herself on the bank, and
tiercely argues out her own unreaSon-
ableness, as she terms it. But the pro-
cess uOtS uOl Sttiil " DC sotttAoA~StStSi
for presently one or two tears force
themselves slowly from behind the
closed eyelids, and the girl gives way
to passionate flood of tears.
BY degrees the sobs subside, and the
soothing effect of the soft, warm air and
subdued quiet around begin to be felt,
and leaning her uncovered head against
the hard trunk of a tree, she falls fast
asleep. So fast, indeed, that the sound
of advancing footsteps does not make |
an eyelid quiver; and when Frank
Carelton reaches her he stands for a
moment looking down at the little fig-
ure in its attitude of careless grace |
with an expression upon his face that
is not exactly faithful to the memory OF |
Miss Nellie Bruce.
Just then Dora stirs little, and
weary little sob bursts from the pretty |
parted lips. This is more than Frank
can bear, and in moment he is kneel- |
ing beside her, and the startled gIrl IS
taken tenderly into his arms, while the
curly head leans for moment uncon-