Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1885-10-14
CYRIL'S WO0D-NNMPH.

same years ago stood muslng on a
..ls1nv overlooking the Basse Plant at
San had been spending many months
- with my uncle, who required
hsngs for his health. But he had
~ gradually weaker, and now was
.sresly able to return TO England and
T-avorhurst. The twilight shadows
81 wrapped the town in night; the
's+srgIog had faded from the lonely
rsst: the mysterious outline Of the
.bareau loomed ghOst-like through the
-agla screen woven by the interlacing
1sss within the mOat; anu still L lin
erred. till the lamps were lighted in
bs streets below-dun globes shining
mi N make a darkness visible. Then
turned slowly away.
Through the window | saw my uncle
rueius Trevor, reclining IN an arm
.hajr before the smoldering logs upon
ba hearth, with legs outstretched and
,snds elasped over his waistcOat, form
no with thumbs and little fingers,
,e1te angles. north and south. The
sssmblance 10 q benevolent gnome
rss striking, as the tlickering light
lsneed disrespectfully on his bald
,ead. losing itself in the furrOws which
urang like gothic arches over his deep
= ewes. but the attitude of repOSe, the
Isxjble. good-humored lips, now parted
ma genial smile, datly cOntradicted
he COMPARISON, and left no doubt as
o the character Of the good old gentle
nan.
.I'm glad you've come in" he COM
usneed. as l sat down. Cyril, ny
,oy. what do you think of getting mar
ied?''
IA proceeding, in the abstract, nat
lral: in particular, unpleasant" l re-
lied. 'What has suggested the idea
Tow, sT?"
"Myold age, ,Cyril, ,and failing health, "
returned my uncle; land you are the
ast of our race. 1t would be a pity to
ct the family die out. You ought TO
marry, Cyril" Up went the eyebrows
and the freight executed jig on the
ip Of his nose.
Igrogned. This was an old point of
Inference between us. | could not rec
lgnize in MS ardent desire to see me
sttled in life, any reason for burden
ng myself with a companion whose
gmpathles were likely to be at vari-
nce with mine. Even the prospect of
II heir was not sufficient TO lessen the
ilshke 7 had conceived toward all of
he feminine gender. Allowing that
he sentiment was unnatural IN young
nan, il certainly increased in exact
lrOpOrtiOn to the eagerness my uncle
showed to provide me with a wife
igainst my inclination. Therefore 1t
S mot surprising that the impending
discussion provoked anything but graf
tude in me.
''ln my opinion" continued Mr..
Trevor, 1T isn't good for young man
% wander about the world with plenty
ltmoney IN his pocket, and no respOn-
nb!lity TO steady him. Why don't you
choose a pleasant girl to share the cares
f fTTeyorhurSt with you, when l am
20 longer heTe2 There are as many as
ne could wish for, even in Pau, my
OOy.n
'Oh, as many and morel" was my
cynical response. ''Only, preferring to
te married for merit rather than money
lshould Ike to know something of the
yOuEg lady herself, and thanks to folly
nd fashion that feat is well nigh I'M
possible. Can't We let the subject
lIop, sir: am thoroughly tired Of it. 4"
Let 1t drop?" said my tormenUor.
rolling bis head round to see me better.
!hen suddenly drawing in his legs, he
larted lean hand sideways in my di-
i5ction as greater emphasis tohis mean
ng, and recommended:
Now, Cyril. just listen. You rep
resent the good Of life to NE. / took
you When your parents died; reared
you as my helr-my son; and you have
Always been good lad-always. |
saht las; lOng-you know l can't.
gov weaker every day. Do me this
,a'or - this one favor. Promise TO
fooA seriously about you while we are
Y Fau. will not ask you to propose
. any one. No, no! But TO please me,
. giatlfy and old mans whIms, con-
2aeT the subject seriOusly.n
Enough. sir" ! answered. touched
y lhls appeal. Il give you my promise
lou deserve far more than that from
IT; Will think the matter over care
wishes
Thank you, my boyi' exclaimed
nv ~ uncle, rubbing his hands together
1ou always was good lad-veryl''
oe'ertheless | was greatly annoyed.
pne afternoon not many days after
Ae preceding conversation. | strolled
aus s; The bridge over the Gave, inten-
s.ag 10 walk off fit of Ill humor Incl
-e -eut on meeting three fashionable
1TyuAg ladies' in the Place Gramont.
I. r-e aay was intensely hot, and in my
atIseLl !aIa state OF mind shade became ab-
~ H-'.ey necessary on advancing into
.ao,O, .ae country. Luckily little by-path,
lg TO invite investigation, entlced
ana taxing It, ! found that it led
fo-Sug f-SSugh a thick plantation, which af
.rS .T,SeG grateful relief after the dust
I n slare OF the high road.
ba .eSently, emerging from the wood
nv a,ppe OF running water attracted
attention. Following the sound,
toraied tsr,ilved at a group of beech trees, and
Toos aolg my way through the under
So, So, saw natural basin where the
ssw sc"u mad collected into clear pool a
fe,,aee' iee' deep. Around the margin
mosS 1c,,s ana IVY found their way through
rs lending down to admire their
IN ~ ~. rejected in the mirror beneath.
uent r+e os centre there jutted up frag-
and md VI rock, clad with grayish lichen
frn0" .n Jew odd rock-ferns which peeped
n NJ. .ue narrow assures in its sides.
d vas place for Diana herself to bathe
@IioSing myself down, / reclined