Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1883-09-26
WAS 1T FAIR OF HIMs

A lovely day in September. The
rays Of the sun are tempered by slight
haze that lies over the sea. while the
air is so calm that the flag at the end
AZ the pier has hung motionleSS the
whole morning.
At the foot of the cliffs. among the
boulderS. sits girl sketching-a girl,
who. in her pretty pale tinted dress,
relieved by bunch of poppies at the
neck and another in the becoming little
sailor hat. makes fair picture herself.
She has sweet, earnest face framed
with curly dark hair that falls softly
On the white forehead, which is just
now prettily puckered in the earnest
ness Of her task,
By her side, stretched to the full
length of his tall, athletic figure, re-
clines All equally fair specimen of the
opposite sex, his thoughts apparently
ar away, juggling by the absent look in
the handsome gray eyes which are
cOking out 10 the sea.
Suddenly he rouses himself. and
pushing his hat a little further back
from his broad white brow, turns lazily
Oh bllt tADbN. slilu SSiN D DtlllltllllN
Il am awful sorry, Miss Grey. You
must think me a very dull companion,
| am sure, but the fact is, that from
being alone 50 much when was abroad,
have acquired a very awkward habit
0f going into day dreams without the
slightest regard to time and crcum-
stances; SO please accept my most hum
ble apologies" he concludes, looking
pleadmgly into his companion's face.
A SOFT laugh answers his words, and
Dora Grey says, gently, without rails
ng her eyes:
Pray don't apologize, Mr.. Carelton.
am afraid L must plead guilty to the
weakness of Observation-Disclosures myself
occasionally. and at the present mo-
ment l was so engrossed at this difficult
piece Of sky that | had almost forgotten
YOUR presence.
.0h,'' says Frank Carelton, blandly,
under his breath, while the girls sweet
voice resumes, unconscious of the in
teTruption:
Il always think that one of the tests
Of true friendship is being able to be
with a person, and either talk, think,
or keep silence, as long as you choose,
without the expectation of giving Of
fence"
Oh says Frank, resuming his old
attitude, Il suppose You go in for that
sort Of thing; most young ladies do-for
time"
Il don't know what you mean by
going in for that sort of thing, but i
certainly believe that there are such
people to be met with as real, sincere
friends in every sense of the word"
Naturally enough at your age, Miss
Grey; but pardon me, when you have
lived a little longer you will find people
are not always what they seem, nor are
their prOtestatiOns of friendship much
to be depended upon"
However old may live TO be, " says
Dora. Il hope | shall always have as
much faith in my fellow-crestures as L
have now; and | firmly believe It posi-
bic to meet with those who will,
through riches and poverty, good report
and evil, be steadfast and unchanglng
friends.' And blushing at her own
earneStDeSS Dora resumes the brush,
which she had been neglecting for the
last few minutes.
Frank smiles under his muStache at
the girlish outburst, but turns and looks
sravely enough into the charming, shy
face and says with sigh:
All, child, You don't know what
YOU are talking about. Just put it to
Yourself a moment, and tell me, do you
think YOU could be such friend if need
be-
Il do!'' is the quiet, earnest answer,
and something in the pure face makes
Frank take the little bare hand nearest
him into his and kiss 1t reyerently.
Then, letting it go, he says gently:
Il suppose, Miss Grey, your theory
would not allow friendship between two
OF opposite seX?''
Certainly it would,'' replied Dora.
Il can never understand why the re-
gard which may exist between man
and woman should not be dictated
by feeling of true, earnest friendship,
aud, as such, be frankly shown before
the world. l dare say you think me
very foolish, = the sweet, girlish voice
concludes, a little hastily; my sisters
at home have often laughed at what
They call my peculiar notions.
There is no reply for a moment, Tor
Frank Is looking earnestly over the
sea; then he turns with an air OF having
made up his mind to something, and
says, quietly:
Dora, Will you be such friend to
me?''
The girls cheeks fiushes, and she
turns 10 meet the expected smile; but
lhe glance which meets her Is grave
and earnest, and the clear gray eyes
look honestly into hers.
There is mementary pause; then
She lays her pretty white fingers gently
INTO the hand outstretched TO meet
uhein, and says, steadily:
Il Will, Mr.. Carelton, as far as l; lies
IN my power, if You wish it.
Il do wish il" says Frank concisely,
Dis hand closing firmly round the
tllnld little fingers, over which he bendS
Ills handsome head before releasing
Them, and upon which he imprints sou
Kiss to ratify the contract.
The pretty white house, nesting
among the dark frs, which are such an
addition to the beauty of the coast near
ndndcombe, belongs to Mr.. harrington,
anu he and his pretty wife are never
more pleased than when they can IN
uuee as many as possible of their num-
erous friends to visit them; ana tney
are Particularly happy in the selectlon
VI their guests, and are never tlreo oi
ueVlsmg some pleasant plan OF ahuse-
lhent-Ravenswood house Is almost al