Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1885-03-25

dNhWdIu slOTl6S OF MS OXf0rd life
which one can't, of course, repeat to
Milly, though you might just hint to
her. my dear"
Yes; and then he's got red hairl''
said Mis-. Bland, as though that effec-
tually closed the discussion.
And 50 the important question was
settled within the closed doors and vel
vet pOrtlereS that screened mamma
from her unruly children. Miss Buck
ley was consulted III lengthy eplstle
from Mrs. Bland, and expressed herself
delighted at the prospect of a lengthy
visit from her dear little Milly."
Milly shed few mutinous tears when
told of the projected visit, and poor
Sieve vented his wrath in little strong
language against the unconscious Rec
tor, and the lovers INDUCED in very
pathetic farewell interview, when MIIly
protested her undylug faith, and spOilt
her blue eyes, and made the tip of her
dainty little nose unbecOmingly red,
while Steve sOlemnly placed little tur-
quOlSe ring Oh her finger, at the same
time expressing his regret that he was
80 confoundedly short of CASH. ard
could not afford diamonds; though, to
atone for that deficiency, he presented
her with lock of that auburn hair to
which Mrs. Bland had so unfeelingly
alluded.
Mllly was however naturally too amia-
bic TO sulk long over the parental de-
creeS; besides, she was very fond of
aunt Margaret. and visit to her charm
ing cosy house was generally welcome
fsh from tho rnnni of Mfllvfc rather
hard-working life.
Poor papa! How will you manage
without me?" she asked, on the evening
before her departure, gently rubbing
her soft peach-bloOm cheek against the
RectOr's stalwart shoulder.
4 shall miss my little girl very
much," replied the Rector, strokIng
Milly's golden hair; ''but shall console
myself by thinking how much she is
enjoying aunt Margaret's society l
have the greatest respect and admiration
for Miss Buckley"
Yes, she is a darling!" responded
Mllly heartily.
when they were girls at home, your
mother was supposed to represent the
beauty, and Margaret the talent and
common sense of the family"
And you chose the beauty?" re-
joined Milly, rather slyly
Yes answered her father, with a
faint sigh; 81 chose the beauty
1t was bright sunny September
morning when Milly started, and, not
withsianding the melancholy of the oc-
casiOn, she could not help feeling bright
and sunny in sympathy, except when
she remembered how unhappy poor Steve
must be feeling at that moment, unable
even to anticipate the faint consolation
of gazing at his divinity in church every
/ Sunday; and then she called herself 'an
/ unnatural little wretchn for feeling
even moderately happy, though, could
she but have known il, Steve was at
that moment consoling himself with the
smiles of the buxOm barmaid at the
"Red Lion'' at COtswOld.
Her father had intended to accom-
pany her, but had that morning re-
ceived "A note from the Bishop requiring
his presence at Cots ~ old; so Mllly was
travelling alone, and -'the boys" at home
had been improving the occasion by re-
lating for her comfort all the tales OF
railway horrors they could collect, and,
when the supply ran short, supplement
ing il by bIoOd-eurdling inventions that
did much credit to their powers OF im-
aginatiOn.
OF course Mllly had professed to scorn
the idea of being frightened; but that
did not prevent her from looking out in
alarm at every stOppage and feeling
much relieved that nobody came into the
compartment where she sat In solitary
dignity. Upcott Junction was specially
alarming, because here the local trains
jolned the London line; and Milly, as
she saw the guard preparing 10 give the
signal TO proceed, was just beginning to
congratulate herself, when there was
hurried scamper
''First-class? This way, sir"-from
an ObseguiOus porter.
Look sharp therel"-severely from
the guard; and male being, with all
his various impedimeDta, was bundled
into her carriage; and the train would
not stop again for another hour. Poor
Millyl
Haunted by confused memories of
Muller and LEROY, it was several min
utes before Milly ventured to steal a
glance at the ogre, wlo was apparently
absorbed in the pages of the Field.
Really he does not look so very
alarming, was her verdict; but then
he might be what the boys called
s'sweIl mobsman." What a delight
fully long silky moustacher'-and Milly
remembered with regret that poor
Steve's was, as yet, conspicuous by It's
absence, Mice dark eyes tOOP'
Here this critical inspection came to
an abrubt termination as she found
with sudden disaay that the eyes in
question were looking at her with some
amusement in their gray depths:
"Would you like to see Punch ~
asked the owner of the eyes, politely
handing her that periodical.
.sThank you, "said Milly meekly, glad
IN hide her bushes behind its friendly
pages; while the stranger opposite noted
with critical approval the dark brown
tailor-made costume that did full justice
to the graceful girlish figure and the
brown felt hat contrasting 50 well win
the fair golden hair; man-like, too, he
took special notice of the well-shaPed
hands in the small fOur-button Suede
gloves. and of the dainty Pinet boots.
Punch was handed back when Milly
felt her cheeks little cooler.
"Tenniel's cartoon is rather good TINS
week" remarked the gentleman, with
the same amused twinkle in his eyes.
'Yes-very," she answered feeling
that she must appear like stupid little
schoolgirl.
Here Milly, who was blessed with a
sense of humor, felt suddenly. struck
with the absurdity of the situation. To
be sitting calmly discussing Tennei's
cartoons with a possible murderer al
ready armed with the necessary weapons
for taking her lifel--for Mllly had Deen
furtively regarding the balze covered
breeeh-ioaders, but had consoled herself
with the reflection that revolvers and
pistols were generally preferred by such
people; and, as she tried to hide the
sudden smile under a cloak of lady-liAe
impassiveness, she looked SO Charming,
with the sparkle in her violet eyes, ana
- x,,,+oI;1inu LITTLE dlmDleS playlug