Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1884-05-28

the cloud still on my face, he lays his
hand for one moment on mine. For
give me-" he says, ''little-"
cannot quite catch the last word ;
but II sounds like darling" and my
foolish heart throbs. L ought to be
angry; but | am not. His touch has
made me glow with momentary happi.
ness.
Half an hour passes, and he comes
again, accompanied by a lady. can
not see her face; but she has noble air
and bearing and queenly tread. They
come nearer. Yes, she Is, as Doctor
Browne said, beautiful, notwithstand-
ing her sixty years, her snow-white hair
the most beautiful woman l have
ever seen. But she is not Major McDon-
AIDS wife her years, her striking like
ness to him, prove 1t, even before he
says
"Mother, this is Miss Rose Morley"
His voice grows tender as he speaks
my name. The lady takes both my
hands, and looks at me long and inquir-
lngly. Did 1 not know that Major
Mcdonald was already married, 1
should think that 1t was the look that
woman casts on her who she believes
holds in her hands the key of her sons
happiness. Apparently the scrutiny is
favorable, for she draws me towards
her, kissing my brow. The caress
touches me. and cling to her.
"Poor little girl ~ she says. "Poor
little motherleSs girl Ronald tells me
that you are to be sent away alone when
you leave here.''
Yes" l answer sadly. "Aunt Is
afraid To have me-"
Il have better plan than that to
propose. Iwant you to come with us to
Dinard, where We ara going for change
of air for my son." How fondly ana
proudly she says my SON.! 81 think
have a little claim on you, my dear,
for believe | was at school with your
grandmother-at least, a school-fellow
of mme-RoSe Dilrymple-married a
Mr.. Morley. l was one of her
bridesmaids.
"My graudmother'5 name was Dali
rymple," " | answer eagerly,
"Ah, L thought so! But, after 1
married, We lost sight of each other, as
1 went out to India. am glad to see
you, my dear it reminds me of my
youth. And you have look of Rose
about your eyes. shall write to your
aunt about your visit to u.s."
Soon afterwards Mrs. Mcdonald rises
to leave, and her son escorts her as far
as he is allowed and then retnrns to me.
"How beautiful she is" cry enthu-
siastically, land how kindl" Then,
with forced gaIety, | add, I'VE shall be
a nice little pdrtie carree abroad-you
your wife. your mother. and l."
Il am not married, Miss Morley" he
answers gravely. ''It was only fool
ish jest though the young lady whom
hope to make my wife will, l trust,
be one of our party"
Worse and worse The quiet affec-
ton of married couple would have
been endurable but the fOoling of be.
trothed lovers would drive me mad.
He looks at me long and meaningly.
Does he want to give me hint that his
heart is not his to bestow Without
doubt it is so and yet l cannot refuse
to go with them. l am powerless.
am the steel, lie the magnet and l can.
| hlyoClL a" ay
Ny aunt is only too delighted to gel
rid of me. So in ten days. time l an
at Dinard with my new friends. Mrs
Mcdonald. who is not very strorg, sits
good deal on the beach Of the French
bathing. place, and sends her son and
myself for a daily walk. We ramble
now amongst the deep lanes, now along
the cliffs but, though three weeks pas
away, there IS no sign Of the fdncee
and 1 am happy-wIldly, childishly
frantically happy. 1t is bliss to me to
hear his voice, to see his face, to walk
by his side the mere touch of his hand
as he helps me over a rough piece OF
ground sends thrill of rapture through
me.
~ have heard from Anna" says Mrs
Mcdonald one morning TO her son. ''She
can come to us SooD."
"Ah, that is pleasant !" he answers
with beaming face, and, turning t.
me, explains, "Anna is my mothers
and my fayorIte cousin, one OF the best
women the world holds"
"Here she is at last !" moan to my
self. 81 cannot bear it; l must &c
home. l shall just wait to see her, and
then go. Aunt Margaret cannot bt
afraid of me now."
Major Mcdonald and take our wall
almost in silence to-day. am nervous
distraite; fool that am, l cannot over
come my feelings What must ht
think of me?
"Snall we turn ?' say, after time
He agrees; but, instead of goine
back, we stand facing seawards. l look
I'D at last and meet his eyes, which have
an expression in them which has Otter
been there of late, l tremble. flush
look down, and say, in my nervousness,
lust what ought not.
"When is your fancee coming ?"
ask, with a forced laugh which sink!
i into feeble giggle, whilst l dig hole:
in the ground with the point OF my par
asol.
"My fanceep he says, in blanl
amazement.
"Yes, Anna" 1 answer. "Are you
not engaged to her? You told me thu
Young lady who was TO be your wifi
would be with you abroad"
"Anna is fifty-fve," he says, laugh
ling gaily. 81 call her my second mo
ltber. for 1 was sent home to her from
India when l was child. And thu
young lady hope to make my wife Il
with my mother and me now. Goot
Heaven, what child you are to have
misunderstood me ~
And then there is silence. have
ldug hole deep enough for a robinh
grave before he speaks again.
"Rose''-the voice is low and thrill
Iing-"Rose, I am neither rich mol
titled but L love youP'
His eyes are full of intense longing
his arms are stretched out yearningly
towards me. Perhaps it would be NOR
maidenly, more dignified to hold bacl
lcoyIy; but don't-I simply fly int
them with unseemly haste. He see
nothing wrong about it however, for h'
holds me close to his breast. as though
lhe could never bear to let me go.
my one love-my darling ~ he mur
lmurs,
| All, how good, how precious 1t Is u
hear such words-to me, who have beel
nobody's darling since the dreary day
far back in my desolate childhood
when my fair young mother died !
l.