Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1885-06-17

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take something" he started immedi
ately for Home Cottage. He was deep
ly grieved at Clara's death; in an affec
tionate brotherly manner he had grown
very fond of Bells sister.
As he approached the cottage, his at.
tention was attracted by the figure of &
gentleman walking before him-he wa:
the stranger who had spoken to the
porterS at Sutton Station, He wa.
several yards in advance of John Har.
vey not walking in the desultory pur
poseless manner of a stranger, but like
one who, having an object to accom-.
plish, was already in view of the goa
for its attainment.
"A'fine fellowl" was John 5 solloquy.
81 wonder who he is, and where he is
going?"
Almost in answer to the query the
stranger pushed open the gate of the
Home Cottage, and, entering, closed il
behind him.
In a few seconds more John Harvey
gained the gate, and, pausing, outside,
looked once again on the dear family
there. Only the small rustic table and
wide garden-seat were there; and on a
low chair beside the table, her face
buried on her crossed arms, WAS Bel
UrmsOn. The stranger had walked
silently and unnoticed across the green
sward, and, standing within few yards
of her, was attentiyely regarding her.
"Bell" he called softly, so softly that
John Harvey but family caught the
sound.
The girl raised her head and looked
at him, and then, grasping the back of
her chair, slowly rose to her feet.
'Charliel" she gasped. ''Is it you?''
"Yes. Bel; don't you know mep"-
and he held out his arms to her.
With little cry of JOY she ran to him
and he folded her in his arms and kiss
ed her. She did not shrink from his
caresses; on the contrary she put her
arms around his neck and kissed him.
"Oh, Charlie, )" she cried, "why didn't
you come soonerl"
81 couldn't darling; | landed in Eng
lapd only last evening""
''Have you heard,n she commenced,
and then, bursting INTO tears, laid her
head on his shoulder-her sorrow was
still so fresh, she could not speak of it,
even to him.
"Yes," he answered, and his arms
frightened round her almost convulsive-
ly. 81 have heard of it at the station.
Don't cry so, Bel"-and again he estoop.
ed and kissed her. Il have come back
dearest, to take care of you"
Gently and tenderly he led her to the
garden-Seat; and, seated there, their
voices became an indistinct murmur TO
John Harvey, and lie heard no more.
II know him now," he muttered be-
tween his clenched teeth-''Lieutenant
HeywOod-the old lover-curse himw
With the imprecatiOn still on his lips
he turned away-turned his back on
the scenes of his happiest hours, on the
garden that had been indeed very par
adise 10 him. Skirting the common for
a short distance, he struck into a small
wood, and, choosing spot where the
brushwood and bracken seemed highest
and thickest, he threw himself upon
the ground; there, sheltered from hui
man observation and in unbroken soli-
tude, John Harvey struggled through
the great tempest of his soul. Nights
clustered round him, the even
ing stars glittered down ON him; but
not till lie had fought his battle and
come forth conquerer did he rise from
the ground.
Ten o'clock WAS striking when John
Harvey returned to 1.-The Griffin" and
half an hour later he had left Sutton
for ever.
81 would rather you did nol mention
my return here" he said to the land
lady of the Inn at parting; "but if that
cannot be accomplished, you may say
came back for-my luggage"
GTwo days after his departure Bel
Urmson held in her hands a letter from
him, a letter bidding her farewell, and
telling her that, though he could not but
gratefully appreciate her endeayor to
love him, yet, knowing as he did know
that she had never forgotten her first
love, he had decided to adopt the only
course left open to him and go away.
With a pale face and trembling fling
ers Bel read the letter; then she folded
tup and locked it away III her desk.
At ten minutes to 8 o'clock on the
of the Both of June, five Years
after Mrs. Lester's death, the bell over
.he porch of the village school at Chip
pendale rang out the summons. BOYS
and girls rushed together, pushing,
shouting, and striking out at
Zach other as one or the other gained
advantage in the race to be
first in school. Caps and sunbonnets
we're hung with marvellous rapidity
md Youthful recklessness on rows of
Degs in the whitewashed wall; then i'll
single file the children poured into the
and, standing in a SEMI
circle before the mistress desk, tender
ID her their morning salutation.
"Good morning, chlldrenl"
"The voice was full and pleasant,
md the smile broadened into a grin on
,he little faces as the speaker left her
iesk and came towards them. She had
word and a smile for each, for it was
he opening day of school after the mid
WCiC
ID and little license permitted by even
70 strict jisciplinarian as Bel Urm-
ION.
She was standing up, the children
gathered round her preparatory to their
dismissal at noon, when the door OPEN
ii, and the Vicar of Chippendale en-
cred, followed 10y a gentleman.
Good marning, Miss Urmson," he
aid shaking hands with her and nod
ling to the children. II am glad you
lave not dismissed your scholars, as |
Wished my friend to see them. can
lot myself stay to give him any infor-
nation about them; but, if you will
Kindly furnish him with any paaiculars
lie may desire, | shall feel obliged. Mr..
Urmson."
Startling and unexpected as the
Meeting was, Bel did not lose her self.
possession; the coolest. stiffest inclina-
ion of her head acknowledged the in
then she turned aside and
silent. But presently she saw
" the children's movements that the
Vicar was leaving; she heard his re-
reating footsteps. and, after a pause,
he raised her head and said
''Children, you may go.'