Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1885-02-18
PLATO AT FAULT.
CHAPTER I.

II quite agree with you. Lord Sands,
that love is myth, while marriage is a
delusion, and only friendship can give
any lasting pleasure or comfort" And
Lydia Firth clenched her pretty hands
and her clear gray eyes flashed defiantiy,
as though challenging a reply.
For some minutes none was forth.
coming then her companion answered
gravely-
You have taken my words too liter
ally, | fear, and | was speaking beyond
my knowledge. What does a mere
looker-on know Of tbs divine passion 7
1t comes before ones eyes in so many
phases that one is daZzled by the fire.
quent changes, and puzzled beyond ex-
preston to find the key TO this ever-re-
curing enigma. But as to marriage
well, that is social necessity
''Yes, Yes, / know" assented the
young girl, '-and that is what makes me
so bitter against it all. The age of idol
atrOus fanaticism is past, and have no
desire 10 throw myself down before this
matrimonial car of JuggerRaut. Why
should be the victim of this terrible
Moloch of society? 1t is too, too badl''
she added Indignantly.
s'At least We shall be companions i'll
misfortune" p" he returned, smiling. Il
too am marked for destruction, sup
pose, being the unfortunate pOssessor OF
the traditional ten thousand a year, au
estate in Suffolk, a house in London,
and a shOoting.box in Scotland.
Lydia laughed merrily.
~ have worse, far worse than even
all that have six sisters in the school
room, and the two eldest are dying to
come out. People may try to coax you
10 marry, but you are your own mas
ter; as for me, IL is my destiny. What
else can / do? I cannot work, ana to
beg am ashamed"
She stopped short with quiyering lip
and troubled eyes.
Lord Sands, you must think me
very. very foolish TO speak Ike this TO
you.n
Il think YOU are very-at least, never
mind what | think-but, Lydia Firth,
| wish YOU would let me be your friend.
AS far as any man can help any woman
let me help you. You do not know
what an interest take IN your welfare
let me be your friend"
He broke off hurriedly, AID moved
nearer to her, holding out his hand with
asuuestionlng gesture /; but she made no
reply-her eyes were gazing vacantly al
the dark gray sky with its myrlads OF
bright stars. and the moon shOne down
and her beams fingered caresslngly on
her uptUrned face and waving wealth
of light brown hair.
$50 you will not be friends Z" lie
whispered. =,
s'FrieDdsl Of course we are friends, y
she answered quickly, arousing herSelI
from the thoughts that bad absorbed
her, and laying her cool hand In his lor
one moment. And now let US go Id ;
they are playing my favorite waltz, ana
am to dance it with Jack. An. mere
he comes I''
4 tall fair youth, with small clear
cut features and a slight tawny NOUS
tache. Joined them as she spoke.
"Well, my little sister, and how goes
1t with you ?'' he cried gaily, laying MS
hand affeetiOnately on her shoulder.
Fancy deserting ones first Dall to gaze
at a moon and river that IN all propapii-
ity will be here tomorrow, next week,
and throughout the term of your nat
ural life -
$50 YOU count my juvenile disslpa-
tioDs as nothing ?'' she returned ro-
Cuishly. "But do you know, II my ior
mer partners were smaller, am not at
all sure that they were not more ANUS
ing And would rather dance VIII,
you, Jack, than any one in the w0riu.
.'Go and hide your diminished head !,
Sands-you have evidently not put
forth vour full powers of attraction
while. as for you, my senseless sistei I,
come and let me crafty your absnrdis
bad taste - and, placing his atin
around her waist, he drew her IN WIFI
him. and the next moment they were
moving round the room to the Wen
marked time of StrauSs's famous Dahu'
But Lord Sands did not follow thehl;
He stood for some time after they hau
left lost in thought, and when he went,
it was not through the ballroom, put
without apology or farewell, he strout
across the park with quick step ana
strange expression in his DARK naNe'
eyes.
Lydia Firth was the eldest daughtei
of an Essex Baronet of good old family'
who possessed two fine entailed estates
which, while giving him mueh pi poMe,
and prestige in the county, yet a1ueu
very little to bis real personal comlor. !,
they being unfortunately mortgaeea y
yery considerable extent: and, as nt
had very little ready money on WHICH y
keep up his position, it may pe Juugeo
with what dismay he saw his sever
daughters growing up arouhu III
clamolIng to be fed, clothed, anu eu"'
Gated. ~
"If one conld only marry them al
off-hapd in the good old foreign fash-
ion In he would say sometimes, with !
merry twinkle in his eye. But his vile
would answer stiffiy-
You need not be afraid OF my daugn
ters not marrying, or not marrying wen