Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1883-09-05

-. So. Iutre was SILKY Soft
ness IN it that Julia Stallo had never
heard before, and which made her look
quickly at the girl who had spoken
.nem, While pain, that was almost like
knife thrust, suddenly went through
her heart. !"
Miss Branch had only glanced at Mr..
North as she had replied, and he had
not given any thought to her, so pro-
foundly was he absorbed in the danger
which had so recently threatened the
woman he loved.
When the two walked away again
Miss Branch turned into another
path, and walked rapidly toward the
house.
There was flush on her cheek and a
spark IN her eye, and aspect although
dlherent from that which she had worn
an hour before.
When she reached her own room. she
sat down before the fire without remov-
ing her own wraps. Looking into the
burning Goals with an insane gaze,
her face gradually changed, until
julia Stallo would hardly have known
it.
The white hands were held tightly
together until their beauty-and they
were very beautiful-was marred by the
rude pressure.
What do l owe to any man among
them!'' she asked, at length, in half
whisper. ''And as for Julia, she is a
baby in her feelings, and will not suffer
much"
She rose and walked with a deter
mined air across the room. At this
moment some one knocked. She OPEN
ed the door and Julia stood there.
May l ceme in?" asked the girl.
Il was just coming to discover if
you were still frightened" responded
Miss Branch taking Julia's hand in
her own, and looked with more than
ordinary keenness into the girls face.
Don't speak of it," cried the other
with shudder. II can never be able
to see a dog again without shudder
L shall never be able to see a dog again
without fright. Think of what might
have been, if Luke had not come! He
says he admires you for your presence
of mind, although you are-but how
do chatter!'' catching herself up with
a blush. He admires you so much.'
Even though l am plain" calmly
remarked Miss Branch, no flush stain
ing her cheeks as she spoke words diff
ficult for a woman to accept.
But L did not mean to tell you
that" caressingly said Julia.
Miss Branch laughed, not bitterly to
the ear in the least.
''Oh, don't mind it at all, - she said,
lightly. Il am PLAIN, and know other
people know it.''
In her heart, the women was saying:
''1Ie shall pay for those words.'
In the days that followed, it would
have been a curious study Tor one not
vitally interested to have watched the
change in Luke North's manner toward
Miss Branch.
Gradually, from a polite listener to
her, he came to turn with an apparent
| ly irresistible inclination toward that
part of the room where she happened to
| be.
He stood near her chair. he looked at
her if he spoke; he listened with a Pc
culiar vivid look upon his face when she
made any remark.
| This attention was not marked; on
the contrary, il almost seemed as If he
were desirous of concealing even from
his own consciousness the attraction
which Miss Branch held for him, and
which every day he felt more and more
powerfully.
Had he ever thought her unprepOs-
sessing? When Julia reminded him
one day that he had said Miss Branch
was plain, he uttered an exclamation
of astonishment, but made no other
reply. His betrothed, in troubled
tone. persisted Oh dwelling upon the
Subject.
Il suppose she must but be fascina-
ting. is She not?" she asked wistfully.
Tie mans face wore a strange smile.
He ayerted his eyes, as he remarked, in
a harsh voice:
Fascinating! Yes, L think that
must be the word by which to describe
your friend-and she is your friend, Is
She not?" asking the question sudden
ly.
Julia Stallo trembled little, and
Turned pale. Sne seemed to struggle a
moment with herself, and then she said, 4,
family:
"Oh, yes. OF course she is my
friend.''
rhe winter days ran on. Miss Branch
had come to stay with her frlcio until
spring.
How did it happen that Mr.. North
could now sometimes come to the touse,
and remain, perhaps, for a couple OF
hours before Julia would come into the
room? He always scrupulously called
for her the moment he came, but he ap-
yeared to forget she had not come.
On one of those days when Julia had
NOT come, North had been strolllng
about the room in silence. Though he
did not speak, his eyes returned again
and again to the woman who sat so
iouietly ON the sofa. There was reck-
less resolve in his face, and that look
was mingled with something which
could not be interpreted, when any
woman might do well to fear, even
tbougS she could not understand II.
North came and leaned over the girl.
His voice vibrated, as he said:
ssMiss BranchP'
She looked up-a light, bewilderlng
and enthralling, was in her eyes, and
Idiffnsed in a lovely glow over the hith'
erto unlovely face.
"What would yolrsay to me if were
to tell you that L love you!' he asked
quickly. A.,
preston in her eyes; there could be but
o.e reading of the curves about the
mouth, The binding loneliness that
WAS in the gaze at that instant made
the mans heart almost stand still. Dio
She really love him!
eyes. answer" imperatively.
ssThen should say that l love you,
, was the low spoken reply.
something in the mans face maae
: Miss Branch suddenly rise to her feet
while her face grew paid, and the gio"
, died from Der eyes.
lyon are mocking me-" she cried
! in a smothered voice. ''You do no
II am thinking of a young man, m.
|, baif-brother, whom 1 love more tnal
l., rot