Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1885-09-16

which quickly CONVEYS us to Roselands a !,
lhere stands my hostess awaiting ne ON
q Small covered terrace that fronts tba
mouse. Clustering roses climb up the
slender supports of the verandah and
make pretty framework for the or.
Iisu ugure or Kate PiltOn. Altbonob
Silght still, she is an embryo Juno. and
gives promise of rich maturity far
"iie and mother though she is. il Is
evident that she has not yet deyeloped
INTO the glowing womanhood that al
present Is but charmingly suggested
Nate, my dear" says Arthur, s.this
IS one OF whom you have often heard
Inc $ 'eaS-my old friend Monte Bird. u
And who. until the present moment
mas deserNedly born the title of his
bored friend'l'' | add, as with uncov-
cred head bow low. am aware that
the remark is not complimentary to
Arthur, but 10 that am supremely in
different.
With easy grace she extends her
hand.
Boredom IS a word without a
meaning for us, Mr.. Bird, and we will
Try 10 make IL so Tor yOu.n
Nothing like matrimony for an anti.
dote." Arthur says oraeularly.
surely you are not a bachelor, Mr..
Bird!'' asks Mrs. Pilton, raising her
eyes questioning to mine-and very
sweet eyes they are, observe.
II have that incalcuable misfortune, ~
| answer meekly.
She looks at me quite pityingly; she
evidently thinks it time for me to be
appropriated.
IN show you something that will
make you fOreSwear celibacyt''-and
with these words Arthur gesticulates
furiously in the direction of a remote
part of the garden that have not hith-
erto observed.
My eyes follow his movements, and |
discern a nurse carrying what Is eyi.
IDENTIFY the hope of the ePiltons-Arthur's
son and heir.
L am not in the least bored now-I
mire the phenomenon in question, and
in my utter ignorance of the subject,
it Is quite possible that L may, in my
misapplied batteries, most unconscious
ly satirise the weak point of the prodigy
feel that cigarette will do much to
steady me.
"Do you-and your son-permit
smoking, Mrs. Pilton?n ask, prepar-
ing to fortify myself.
''Smoke is our native element, she
replies, smiling graciously. ''Come to
its own mother then little TREASURED
1t is perhaps needless to say that l
am not the ''httle treasure" addressed,
that fortunate individual being the in
FAINT who IL surveying us with wide
open baby-eyes. He is bright cheek
ed little fellow, and, resting as he does
in his mothers arms minute after
wards, one is reminded of the count
less pictures of glorious maternity and
rosy infancy that have smiled down
from exhibition walls.
"I've got a surprise for you, Ar
thur exclaims my hostess; and 1 no.
tice a subdued excitement lurking in
the bright eyes. ''Give me your finger
DEAR
Her husband obeys, and she forewlth
takes the offered digit, and, inserting
it softly between the rosy lips OF the
baby. rubs it along the tiny gum. L,
meanwhile. am in lost profound pity for
this small specimen of humanity, feel
ing that it must be a most undesirable
process to have ones mouth opened
and ones gums felt, and not TO nave
any choice in the matter.
Well?'' asks Arthur. with blank
look of non comprehension on bis face.
| seem unconscIously to have COM
municated my views to the infant, for
he begins to resist in very marked
manner. Mrs. Pilton's lips drop at the
corners in the loveliest disdain imagl-
nable.
"Mr. Bird, will you feel?"
The baby's long suffering gum is
transferred to me. and place my hnger
very gently on the spot Indicated. ohe
looks at me somewhat anxiously. Am
| inspired? L rather think ami but L
try to wear my laurels meekly, and to
keep the triumph out of my race, as
turn to Arthur and say
"Your son has his first tooth, my
boyl' -,
lyon don't say so, Montle"
aOh, it's very plainly to be felti" L
reply. with an air of superiority that
for the life of me really cannot resist.
If il we're not for the little dlmpled
with which they are laden
T am sure Mrs. Pilton would clap her
hands. as it is, she contents herself
w,tb a Glance of uudisguised admira-
tion at me. and exclaims sorrowfully-
"And yet you are bachelor Mr..
BirdI''
let me at least feel that l am pos
sessed of YOUR compassion, l say, with
hypocrisy.
.sOb. the pity of itp' she answers
LIGHTLY. throwing up her boy, and then
nTessInp him closer to her. Didn't
IFS own papa feel its new toothumsT
Naughty papap'
Thereupon Master Pilton is made to
his revered father on the cheek
with a round fist that has been taken
ont of his mouth for that purpose.
81 suppose the little fellow scampers
shout a good deal?" | suggest, wishing
TO supplement the advantages have
already gained.
.tMy dear boy, babies don't run about
,t six months oldl'' laughs Arthur; and
T think | detect a little retaliation In
his tone. as if he considers 1t my turn
now to be discounted.
Fearing to lese my laurels, L discreet
" drop the subject.
NV admiration for my hostess sub
increases when, later on, as
we s1t down to dinner, she to all ap-
searance as entirely forgets her first
horn as any lady lin society," could do.
I feel sure that in her case 1t is only ap-
40 rent oblivion, whereas with the wo-
nan of fashion it would be most genu-
me: but it displays certain innate tact
which [ highly appreciate.
We dine by daylight, and get the
neal well over before the cleaning be-
inns. After dinner. Mrs. PIlton does
not retire to the drawing-room, but
TROLLS round the garden, book In hand.
Tbis looks inviting, and the conse-
,uence is that 1 with my cigarette and
4 rtbur with his cigar crave permission
@ join her. "a,
"Tennyson-is he your favoritep"
,sk. glancing at the book In her hand.
81 have no more favorite poet than
have favorIte flower, ANSWERS Mrs.
pilton, picking rose from cluster
nat she passes and putting it among |
he soft laces that seem to caress her