Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1885-06-24


when Lazy GwendOlen Craufurd is
coming To take her place III the world
again. "She could not have cared for
that husband of hers" they say. They
say also that Doctor Philip Ayrell is
certainly over worked; he has hardly
any rest, he looks worn, and his hair is
tiRged with gray.
Travel for three months at least, y
says a friend, an eminent fellow prae-
toner. Make over your patients to
me and CrOftOn-we'n manage them
and don't let US see you in London for
the next three months"
Avrell smiles and promises; though
he does not think there will be any i'm
provement, unless his heart.hunger Is
stayed.
SO he says goodbye to all his patients
shuts up his empty house, and wanders
over the Continent, seeking rest.
He has strayed t. the Lake of Como,
aud one evening, while wandering by
the shore; he stops and looks dreamily
across the blue lake, watching the pur-
pie shade of the mountains and the
play of light on their snow-capped sum-
mts, and listening to the great-bells
tingling in the distance, the musical
voices of children at play, the lowing
OF cattle. 1t is all very dreamy, very
peaceful; but his heart is empty still
and throbs with pam. d.
Suddenly he hears the clear musical
voice of a child who is singing blIthly;
and he sees gleem of golden hair as
little young girl springs from point 10
point, now diving among the rushes to
gather flowers, now lost to view behind
some tall shrub. She comes quite near
and Philip Avrell staggers back, but in
stantly RECEIVERS himself as the child, a
slim girl of thirteen. looks up with a
half bewlldered air. then hurries for
ward, clasping her hands in rapture,
crying out
doctor Avrell-my dear, dear Doc
tor Avrell!"
He clasps the slender hands in his,
and kisses her forehead tenderly, smil-
ing at her joy.
Mother is at home. You must come
and see her, Doctor Avrell," cries
Daisy. ''She will be so glad-please
come. 1t isn't far. Who would think
of you being herep"
Who indeed, Daisy2 But doctors,
you know, like other people, want
rest"
''Yes; but you must come to mother
and tell her."
Up the road and through a garden
sweet with perfume she leads him, chat
ting all the time-leads him across
smooth lawn and under a verandah,
right into drawing room, where Gwen
dolen-looking more beautiful because
of the added sorrow in her face-sits.
her chin resting on one white hand, the
other lying before her listlessly. She
raises her eyes at the sound of footsteps
without. and suddenly springs 10 her
feet with a suppressed cry
Good Heaven, Philip Avrelll'
Her hands are quickly in his, and
then she is calm again, speaking the
words of conventional welcome.
81 am glad to see you Doctor Avrell.
Where did you meet him, Daisyp"
But Daisy has rushed out into the
s;:,fleR to impart her JOY 20 the dogs and
froIc with them.
81 was wandering by the lake." he
says, with an effort.
He sees her before him in more than
her girlish beauty; he sees the SORROW
full eyes that are so wistful, the panied
mouth that is so sad and sweet. She
is his own. What is there to stand be-
tween them? Her fault' He turns
and sinks upon chair and the cry goes
out
Come to me, Gwendolenl My heart
is empty, hungryIng for your'
She stands lik statue of marble, her
hands locked, her lips parted. Has she
heard the words, or is it her rfancy? She
has often draemt that he would come to
her with some such words as those.
Phillip" she says wistfully, timidly,
but does not move.
''GwendOlen, come-cOme to meln
he cries again, with passionate appeal.
She draws near and kneels beside
him. touching his hands half fearfully.
He tries TO clasp her closely to him; but
she lays her hands upon his, and some
thing in her face awes him.
Phillip" she says steadily and soft
ly, do you remember the past-that
broke my faith? Hear me yet. Do you
love me still, Philip"
He cannot look into the clear eyes,
he cannot answer her. He only presses
the weary golden head to his breast. So
she finds rest after all the weary years.
Her punishment is over, her atOnement
made.
"May tell you, Philip" she whis
pers presently-''tell you OF the, that !
you may know all?"
"Not now, my darling, nor ever. |
have forgotten it all, Gwendolen.
have no memory of the past, let 1t
rest"
Later, standing by the window and
locking out over the lake, her hand
clinging to his, as if even now she fears
to wake from dream, she says
SIS this real, Philip? L used always
to dream of your coming to me; but
child myself for the fancy"
Daisy, sporting among the flowers,
glances up and pauses.
''Daisyr'
Philips clear voice reaches her, and
she comes hurrylng in, looking from
one to the other.
Philip Avrell draws her within the
shelter of his arm.
''Do you remember, Daisy" he says
softly, "when you were i'll, praying me
to make your mother look happy?"
Daisy, gIancing up into his face. says
half archly-
'.Ah, you have made her happy, Doc
tor Avrelll i knew you could do any
thingl''
A YOUNG woman in South Hin ois has
Just died from having her ears pierced.