Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1885-01-14

But Tom had wandered away amongst
the iiower-beds and did net hear and
Helen, beamiDg with fun and mischief,
went on, Don't tell him, Nora there
is nothing like a secret, as 1 always tell
TOm.''
''He is very good-looking fellow at
any rate, said Harold, scrutinIzing my
brothers handsome face ''and indeed,
Nora''-looking up with a smile-'T
don't know that l shall allow you to
wear this till you tell me who the owner
of the good-looking face fs."
Wont allow !" L repeated, laugh
ing in return, and taking the locket
playfully from him. swell, then, Har-
old, what will you say when 1 tell you
that he is an officer in cavalry regi-
ment, and that ne gave me this on the
night before he sailed foI India ?"
"What p'' he cried, suddenly starting
up from his recumbent posture, while
the blood rushed over his face. ''Oh,
Nora, what did you say ?''
Helen was convulsed with amuse-
ment; and, thinking he too was enjoy
ing the joke, l repeated my statement
and, the spirit of mischief selzing me,
l added
''And promised him 1 would never
part with it-never, never J"
"Nora"-laying his hand on my arm
-''once for all-who Is it :? | must
know"
"There is no must in the matter"
was my reply, spoken in Jest, for we
were all playing at cross-purposes.
My harmless joke had bitter conse-
quences. To my surprise and coBster-
nation, he suddenly snatched the locket
from me and again examined it, while
his face grew graver and darker each
moment. On the other side were two
locks Of hair-mine and Charlie's.
Yours and his, suppose ?' said
Harold, looking up.
"Exactly--and ne has locket with
my likeness" L answered recklessly,
for was annoyed at his cross question
ing.
'Oh, suppose so ~ he said then.
with suppressed passion in his voice
Enough of this nonsense l insist
upon knowing | desire you to tell
me-"
i IL lOO
soon for that, think !" | replied in
dignantly, turning crimson beneath his
| glance and driving back the hot tears
that rushed to my eyes at the first angry
words that had fallen from his lips TO
| me.
HIS face softened he went on in a
lower tone.
"NOra, have reason, dearest;
wouldn't ask it otherwise.
II Helen had not spoken then-if we
had been alone-lt might have been all
so different But her clear voice
broke in
Now, Nora, don't give in to either
threats or persuasiOns he has no right
to use the one, and you must not mind
the other"
YES" said. still hurt and surprised
at his strange manner; ''you know,
Harold, there are times when one needs
all ones determination.
'"This is mere fOolrryl'' he exclaimed
passlonately. "It is as supposed then
Very well-chooSe between us.
At that moment Tom rejolned us.
The opportunity was lost, gone forever:
and, seizing the locket that had been
the innocent cause of this most strange
misunderstanding | held it up, saying
"There-I have made my choice
goodbye for ever ~ Then, catching
sight of the astonlshment on the faces
of Tom and Helen, turned from Har
old, who, with folded arms, was stand
ing moodily regarding me, and, ex-
claiming, "Oh, If We had never met ~
l hurried away, W tn my mind in a
whirl and my heart full of bitter re-
sentiment.
A hasty step sounded behind me OH
the gravel, and in moment Harold
other side, we walked on till we
reached the orchard then he stopped
me, and his voice was strangely cold
nay, almost indifferent, L thought.
mora, 1 have come to say that l
forgive you fully and freely"
turned then and faced him.
"Forgive me! Why, it is your place
to ask for forgiveness You need
scarcely have followed me to say any
thing so ridiculous.
"Yes; it seems have come on a
FOOLS errand."
He spoke sarcastlcally; yet, as l |
glanced up into the face of my hero,
with the eyes that had ever smile and |
soft look for me now looking gloomlly |
and eoldly into mine, my great love for |
him rose up in my heart, and 1 longed |
to throw myself into his arms and i'm |
plore forgiveness-makea any concession |
if he would only take me to his heart |
and whisper that he loved me still; But |
his next words brought crimson bushes |
to INV face and tears of indignation and |
pride to my eyes.
"Then | humbly beg Miss McDer-
mot's pardon for all offences commit
tad.n
bowed low, with defiance in every
gesture, while my heart swelled with
mingled feelings.
"Mr. Broughton's request Is grant
ed.n
For moment we stood and looked
straight into each others eyes, each, l
knew afterwards, misunderstanding the
other. Then he spoke in hurried
voice, holding both my hands in his.
"Good-byel 1t is all over between
us ; and l thank Heaven l discovered
my mistake before 1t was too late for
a woman may make or mar mans
happiness. GoOd-byel"
Then he left me, and, walking few
PAGES, turned, his face softened, and his
voice changed to one of loving reproach
full entreaty.
s'Nora, you might have trusted me.
Oh, my darling, my darling, come Oh,
surely il is a mistake I'
lie held out his arms. Oh. the pa
thos, the yearniDg that one word Mora
conyeyedl Often and often since, in
the still hours of the night, have l
wept vain useless tears at the thought
of that last loving appeal which | re-
jected,
Love was strong; but at that mo-
ment pride was stronger. Weak, fool
ish girl that | wasl felt proud of the
storm 1 could raise and quell with
word, and resolved to bring him to my
feat. 1 returned his loving entreaty
with a mocking little curtsey. and
laughed-actually laughed-in the face
of the man whose noble heart prompted