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

sufli ;ient time in which to forget.
Some girls do not easily forget" and
Mrs. Lester sat up, and, placing her
hands on her SISTERS shoulders, looked
anxiously INTO her face. my darling.
if the past still holds any portion of
the past still holds any portion of your
affection, retract your promise, and
don't marry Mr.. Harvey. Oh, Bel, as
you value your happiness. don't marry
at all unless you can give your love in
all its entirety TO your husbandl"
Surprised at her earnestness, Bel
glanced up at her sister.
'IlOw iii you lookl" she exclaimed
invOluntarlly; and, starting up, she
hastily arranged the pillows on the couch
Pray lie down agsinl Do you feel
wOrse?''
Il am as well rs usual, thank You.
dear" she affirmed as she resumed her
recumbent position; but L dare say
Margaret would tell you had been
talking too much; SO if you will put that
shawl over me, | think will lrest little
now"
Bel obeyed, and then, bending over,
kissed her.
81 do love john" she whispered; /;
land he has no cause for jealousy. But
he is jealous-jealous as Othelloi"-
and with light careless laugh, she
turned away.
Jealous as Othellol The words rang
in Clara's ears as Bel walked away.
Jealous as Othellol Was it true? Was
she going to leave her sister in the care
of a man afflicted with such madness?
And Bel, with her keen susceptibility
and quick proud temper-wOuld she
bear with gentle tenderness the endless
susplciOns of jealousy? Was her love
for John So sure, so convincing, that in
time 1t would exercise his fears and es-
tablish his trustg
am sure Bel does not love him, :"
she murmured, squeezing her fingers
together in agony at the thought. ''She
is not gay and bright now as she was
then. When she is his wife and am
no longer here, will he be kind TO herr"
Tears flowed through her closed eyehds
and tricaled unheeded down her cheeks
as she thought of Bel under cruel treat
ment.
''Clara. gu are cryingl'-and Be. $
young cheek was pressed caressingly to
the pale wet face, while her fresh rosy
lips kissed away the tear-drOps. ''What
is the matter with you IO-day2 Are
you worse, Clara darling? Does she
look worse?n she asked, turning ap-
pealingly to John Harvey, who was
standing by her side.
mo, nor' Mrs. Lester asserted hur-
rledly as she held out her hand. IL
am only little tired. How do you do,
JOhnl Are You early, or is it later
than think?'
81 have come earlier than usual" /" he
answered, taking Bells low seat beside
the couch. 1.-The fact is, have re-
ceived a telegram from my father, in
forming me of his arrival in England
and requesting my immediate presence
IN Southampton,
Il am so sorry," Clara said. 81
hope you will find him better" "We
shall miss you terribly" she said, with
an effort.
81 hope you will pay me the compli
ment of missing me little; but it is
Bel who must bewail my absence and
miss me terribly. | shall never for
give her if she is not looking pale, wan,
and altogether miserable when | re-
turn" and he smiled.
81 shall remain hopelessly unforgiven
then, ;" said Bel, laughing. FOR | am al.
W vs. in rude vulgar health, and / be-
lieve nothing could rob my cheeks of
their brilliant hue"
Clara looked round at the bright
blooming face and sighed.
Bel dear, am so tired; if you will
call Margaret, l think | will go in,"
she said weariiy; but, when the girl had
left her, a sudden energy seemed To
come TO her. John" she said, lean
ing over and laying her hand on his,
my life is so uncertain, L may never
see youagain. Don't start-the thought
is not new to me- Promise me-I Will
not ask you to swear it, for mans
word should be as binding as his oath
but promise me now, before i die, to
be always kind to Bel"
Startled and surprised though he was
without moments hesitation he an
swered-
81 promise.
Still she WAS not satisfied.
"You know she has told you about
Lieutenant Haywood. When she Is
your wife don't suspect her of any un-
worthy TecollectiOnS of that former
lover. Promise me. Bel Is so thor
oughly honorable, so implicitly to be
but you do not know her as |
know her, and you may doubt her."
He regarded her attentively, watch
Ing the nervous clasping and unclasp-
ing of her fingers.
Mrs. Lester, what is making You
mistrust me to-day?" he asked. 'Bel
Is dearer to me than the whole world,
more precious than my own life. Place
your faith ON that assurance-lt Is a
surety more inviolable than my word
and trust me-"
She looked st his pleasant honest face
and impulsively held out her hands to
him.
81 will dol" she exclaimed. ''And
John, dear John, as you hope to find
mercy for your dear ones. whom, like
lie, YOU lloO ~ ANe'N ~ N-N
care of others, SO be good to my dar-
ingr'
ITO the utmost of my power l will
De good to your darling; / promise. "
Thank you," she murmured, as her
sister and the nurse made their appear
,nce; land now, if you will take Bel
away, Margaret shall help me to the
house. Good bye, .Iohnp'
Re shook hands with her, expressing |
, hope that when he returned he should
ind her stronger, Then he and Bel |
walked to the small iron gate which |
llyided Mrs. Testers miniature garden
rom Sutton Common, and, pauslng
here he asked
"Bel, will you write to me while L
I'm away" -,
They had been engaged only month
md this was there first separation;
nevertheless she answered with warm
lecislon-
''No; you will live on my letters, and
Ne in no huny 10 come back to me-"
s.NruS. u-rita to vOup,,