Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1885-09-16
no matter the time or place. remem-

ber-"
never finished the sentence even to
myself, for at this moment the door
opens quietly, and not only is skate
Pilton near" but she actually enters
the rooml
For once in my life am energetic; l
Utterly bound from my chair in my ut
ter astOnlshment.
Yes, verify Kate Pilton-nO longer
the Juno in embryo, but the Juno in
full perfection, as she steps into the
room with stately grace, her long cling
ing black skirt trailing majestically be-
hind. A sorrowful looking cap, white
as snow, rests on the queenly head. but
all the rich beauty that was so freely
promised two years ago has been amply
fulfilled in the glorious creature who
stands before me in the sad dignity of
her young widowhoOd.
as it posslble,"I exclaim, as ] ad-
vance with extended hands to welcome
her, ''or do my eyes deceive me? |
surely am addressing Mrs. Pilton?"
None other" she answers, with a
smile as charming as formerly, though
more subdued; land in you recog-
niZe-"
"Montie Bird, Arthur's old friend,
whom l hope you have not quite for
gotten"
81 had quite forgotten the name, ~
she replies, "but not the owner of it,
My husband used to esteem you so
highly"
We neither speak for minute. The
little word fused" only confirms the
sad story told by the deep black that
fits her graceful figure so perfectly. L
conduct her at once to the breakfast
table, and she takes her place quite
naturally, facing me.
when truly earnest on any subject,
am pitIful stumbler in the choice Of
words; but, please, Mrs. Pilton, try to
understand how delighted am to see
you again, however much regret the
sad circumstances that have led to our
meeting"
She inclines her head in acknowledge
ment of my sympathy.
"And your little boy? He Is fine
fellow by this time L conclude?" l re-
mark, wishing to turn the subject from
painful channel.
The sweet lips quiver as she raises
her eyes, full of mute agony, to mine.
1.-The same calamity fever-that
left me widow also rendered me child
less; they both-I would rather not
speak of 1t Just yet, if you please"
She could make mention of her hus-
band with apparent calmness; but the
loving remembrance of baby-kisSes,
baby-prattle, busy baby-hands, sIlences
all speech, even the speech of sorrow
After recovering herself, she avoids
further mention of their trials, and
speaks pleasantly and cheerfully, just
as woman should do to a man Just
returning from the fatigues of the
workaday outside world.
Mrs. Hilton,"I remark, as on the
conclusion of breakfast, We draw our
chairs round to the fire, ''have you ever
in your infantine days, read the Ara
bian Nights?"
READ is too milo world have
devoured them,r she laughingly an
swers; ''but l always thought, had 1
been Scheherazade, would rather have
lost my head at once than have 10 rack
that unlucky member every night for
fresh marvels.'
- fear that you scarcely appreciate
the philanthropy of that excellent
young lady in saving the lives of so
many of her charming sex. But, do
you know, by some mysterious agency,
1 could feel myself transported to the
land of caliphs, viziers, and Mussul-
mans, and even by some still more ex-
traordinary freaks of nature | could be-
lieve myself returning to the times Of
giants, fairies, and genii. The idea is
so vivid that it required the mereSt
stretch of imagination just now to
transform James, when he came II
with that letter, to a slave bearing me
''How SOP" asks my lady-house-
keeper.
How charmingly she undertakes the
art of listenlngl
well, do you remember how cer-
tam Bedredden Hassan. of Oriental
memory, was restored to his sorrowing
relatives through the manufacture of
his celebrated cheesecakes?"
Mrs. Pilton mods in token of assent.
'Strange to say, your admirable pasty
formed to me a veritable re-introduc-
ton to you"
"Why, of course; the similarity is
strlkfngl The fact is, I'm nineteenth
century Bedreddin Hassan, and, like
him, l am the sole manufacturer, the
only difference being that do pepper
my pastry. L nearly offended your
cook when l insisted upon making it
myself"
lyon actually bearded the lionness
in ner den?"
II did indeed, my only weapons be-
ing the pretiest compliments L could
think of concerning her dinners and
after that, she asked
me for my receipt; but l could
not give that up" says Mrs. Pllton
her pretty head until the sor-
rowful white adornments it trembls
with her emphasis. 81 am like Bed
reddin Hassan, and keep that to my
SELF"
"Do YOU know,"I exclaim, happy
thought striking me 81 am altogether
so much impressed with the circum-
stances of our second meeting that
think III write out the history of Mrs.
Pilton's pastry" So saying crave per-
mission to light cigarette, and begin
1t out at once.
And here it is written-in fact, it
has been finished some time: but an
ending came to the whole story which
makes the resemblance to Bedreddin
Hassan cease. If my memory does not
ead me astray, Bedreddin Hassan mar
ries before the cakes are mentioned,
while l. Here soft hand is laid
my shoulder and two laughing eyes
scan the above unfinished sentence.
''Can't you get on, you silly old
Montie?"
well, you know" reply medita-
lively, pulling my moustache with one
hand and holding my pen with the
lther, ''there is an absurd prejudice
imeng the narrow-minded against sec
md marriage; So"
"Well, tell them then, you great big
that second marriages have
been successes, from the days of Jacob
and impress upon your
you have any-that Kate
Bird is the very happiest woman in ex-
stence. 1t is true, my own dear hus-
oand;" and my Kate's ripe lips are
,ressed to mine.