Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1883-04-18
TWO LOVERS.


choice of husband, and gave to the
other girls, who doubtless would make
better wives, if they had not as 1auch
beauty, some chance.
Utterly absurd that the men followed
one sitter another, like sheepln drove,
wherever her caprices led.
They were like hive of bees con
tending for one flower, and blind to all
the gardenful besides.
But Mamie only smiled when some
whisper OF tins reached her, and let the
gossips talk.
Full well she knew her power, this
simple country girl, who possessed no
dover save her beauty, and night royalty
she used 1t.
Besides, it was not quite as the gos-
sips declared.
There was no such butter in ali the
county as that which came from Mamie
Williams farm, and NannIe's fingers,
white and tapering as they were, moul-
ded; no cream was so thick and yellow,
and Nanny had sole charge of the dairy;
no house was more neat and tidy, with
a nameless air of feminine grace about
it, and Mamie, since her mothers
death, relgned sole mistress.
No wonder the young men felt the
race well run, with such prize as Its
goal.
True, she had saucy word ever
ready, but one readily iorgave its harm
Iessness for the sake of the sweet brilll-
ant smile which lent her pretty face its
rarest charm. and seemed to mutely
plead her pardon.
However, when 1t WAS least expected,
Mamie made her choice, and 1t fell upon
Sydney Richards
There was nothing to be said against
him.
He was a good-looking young fellow,
with farm of his own.
He and Mamie would make a band
some couple, and doubtless would sue
ceed well III the wcrld.
But for all that ii was a surprise to
many Of them, and one or two OF the
more discerning ones said that she had
hirted shameIessly with Dick Arm
strong, and that quiet as he had ever
been, he had grown more so since the
betroIhal was announced.
Mamie did not hear this, however,
nor had she seen Dick since her engage
ment. until one evening some three
weeks after.
She had wandered down to the little
gate opening on to the road, and stood
leaning hstiessly against Ii, when
ouick. firm tread broke the stiffness.
She knew the step well. and a fusn OF
crimson rose to her face, then receded,
as a tall. stalwart figure came around
sharp turn IN the road.
He gave quick start, too, as he per-
ceived her, and would have passed on,
merely raising the straw hat from the
close-cropped blond head, but that her
voice. a little tremulous, detained HIM.
..Dickp' she said.
He halted then. but made no move
ment to approach her, until she held ou'
towards him a small white hand.
..Dick,' she repeated, "of all my
friends you arc the only one who has
not congratulated me"
.1pdeedp' he answered, with
strange, hard smile.
81 hope it is not too late. @
And touching the little fingers Tor al
instant only, he turned away again as
he considered all his duty done.
Hot fears rose to Nannie's eyes
,bouoh from whence they sprung non'
could have OWNED.
lyon are cruel, Dick" she said.
No" he answered, ''I am kind, bu
believe me, Mamie, trust you may b'
happy. Good night"
She spoke no turther word to detaii
him. but stood ana watched INN wall
away. ,.:
Her ewes still followed the direction
he had taken long after his figure wa
lost to her sight.
HE never loved mel" she murmure'
to herself.
"He would always have been exacflni
and Jealous, and he never asked NE
be his wife. .,
"What right has he to complains!
Rut the girl knew that she snence'
only her conscience, and no voice
his. when she thus spoke.
He had uttered no reproach. ;,
Dared she to her own soul say u
could haye found no cause for doing SO
sydney Richards found somethln
amiss with his pretty betrothed ths
night. -
She sbrank from his somewhat to
demonstrative caress, and turned upo
him almost angIily when he asked he
to name the day for their wedding
fact to let the banns be read at once.
You see. it'll soon be harvesun
time. Mamie, my lass" he pleaded, 3
wav of argument, ''and there's no den,
ing that the farm needs womans S nan
anu a woman's care.
..Jt's all ready for Its mistress, All
wby shouldn't its mistress be ready tt
it?"
..Simply because she isn't your malt
of-alI-work. Sydney Richards, to
bireo when the season Is most con'en
emf and the demand for her most fres
inc was the girls hot reply.
Rut her lover bore it good naturedl,
and lust as he was leaving SIZE penilen'' ,
let her arms steal softly about his neci
while she raised herself on uptoe
whisper in his ear that ne must forgi'
Rut-yelI, the cream had soured, an
the butter would not come to-day, AZ
so her temper bad not borne the 'es..
Pardon thus sought might reaall
anons h he won for harsher SIN, pt
sydney Richards imposed nus penaia
for all that; and so it happened thai ~
next Sabbath morning witnessed u
reading of bus and Mamie "iiian'
banns.
Poor little Nanniei