Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1885-01-14

maps it is that hesitate to commit II
PAPER a record of those sunny bappy
DAYS that can think of now through :
lhist oil binding tears, while the happi.
ness seems blurred and indistinct from
all the misery that came after.
"hat need Is there to tell again the
uedr OH time worn story which has
oeen written so often in poetry and
prose, and IS being enacted in real life
every day 1t is enough for me to saw
that, after six Of the happlest weeks of
my life, Harold Broughton asked me to
be his wife. "
was sitting at the open drawing.
room window listening to Helen's clear
sweet voice singing, and thinking. as
she sang OF hopeless grief and sorrow.
now very far off ana distant all trouble
seemed to be, and that life and love
mad not always dark background of
angry storm-clouds TO creep up and blot
out the blue sky.
Ihe gentlemen were pacing I'D and
down the terrace, talking earnestly.
lom was smoking, and the scent of his
cigar fioated in Pleasantly at the open
window as they passed backwards and
forwards. Then, as the evening shadows
deepened, they paused and stood look
ing IN upon us, and Tom called Helen
10 come and take a turn with HIM. |
rose 10 follow, but a hand was laid upon
my own, and the voice that brought
the quick blood to my face whispered
low and earnestly
PLEASE stay have something to
say to you.''
Then they went and we two were
left alone in the fading twilight.
Later in the evening Helen came to
my room and kissed me, saying
''Oh. Nora darling, l am so glad
Harold has just been telling us, and,
dear, he is 50 fond of youI'
dare not trust myself to write of
those days of more than happiness,
when to fulfil my hghtest wish seemed
the sole desire of a brave noble heart
those days when, side by side, We paced
the shady Lines and thought that life
itself was too short for love gilded all d.
anG earth TO US seemed nothing short of
a Paradise. That happy time of light
and sunshine, how it seemed to fly
how the glad sunny hours glided by
But afterwards they dragged slowly
ard wearlly enough-thoSe long sum-
mer days and still longer nights. 1t
seemed il the dark still hours that the
dawn would never break and disperse
at least the outer darkness and in the
long warm days used To think the sun
would never set behind the purple
mountains; for the lengthening gloomy
twilight was more grateful to my weary
heart when the sun of my life was set
for ever. Yet for all that followed
can blame no one but myself never,
even in my inmost thoughts, have | suf-
fered myself to cast doubt upon him.
The fault, the folly, call it what one
will YVES all mine. And surely l have
suffered enough for one foolish word !
1t was all chapter of accidents from
beginning to end but it blighted two
lives aud struck the death-biow to all
our bright hopes and faHcies.
We were playing a spirited and long
contested game of croquet one lovely
afternoon, Helen and Harold against
Tom and myself; our side was nearly
victorious, and Tom was triumphant.
He was bad player; and |, being a
rover" was helping on my unlucky
partner and taking a peculiar delight
iu sending Harold, the rival ''rover,"
bowling TO the other end of the ground.
There is no need TO send me quite
so far, he said, laughing 81 am quite
tired of walking up and down after my
ball. Now stand back every one! Here
comes the winner ~
"Well done There's good shot ~
cried Tom. as Harold's ball came flying
over the ground straight as die, and
hit mine. which was unfortunately near
the winning post
''NOw. then, shall put this danger
Ous character out of pain and then,
Tom, you had better retire gracefully
from the contest" said Harold, hurry
IGg up.
mo, no-don't; it is not fair Har-
old, it is horribly mean of you to put
me OUT"
But pleaded in vain. He was mer-
cileSs, only saying, as my ball hit the
stick and bounded Off
Cant help it, Nora all is fair in
love and war" Then suddenly, with
a laugh that had more of annoyance
than mirth in it, he added, Il wish We
could put an end to all doubts and diff
culties as easily as have put an end to
this game"
What did he meanp His eyes were
fixed on me so earnestly that L colored
beneath his glance and turned away,
saving as knocked about the balls uil-
easily
Don't talk nonsense i''
sPerhaps it's not nonsense" he re-
piled.
Now, Tom, confess that you are
beaten ~ interposed Helen,
coming up triumphant with success
and quite patronizing. Here are Nora
and Harold fighting over the rules OF
croouet. But never mind, Tom If
your Door little rover had not been
finished so cruelty, you would have
won."
at was all unfair" l said, half
cross, half amused, as We all sat under
the iime-trees and talked about the
match.
lyon have a great deal of determin-
ation," said Helen TO Harolu. slail
never forget Nora's beseeching lace.
One would have thought that the tate
y nations hung on your reply.
There are moments" he replied,
..when one needs all ones determine
tion but assure you it is quite allow
lble to put an enemy out OF the game.
Don't YOU think so yourself. Nora "-
smiling up into my face. But it's not
worth an argument. For PHYS sake,
ion,t let US fall out about tr tles /; real
.Touble may not be so far off from any
Dne of u.s."
.sDon't talk in enigmas. Harold; you
are veIy cross to-day Charlie was the
best croauet- player ever knew; and
he never did anything half so mean.
land who, may ask, IS this great
Is he a myth, character In
nook or what? Charlie ! Who can ne
be p
Harold was laughing now, and trying,
,s thought, to keep his temper. we
we're fast drifting into a foolish quarrei
,hont nothing but, had known then
he doubts and fears that were on his
nInd would never have spoken as
lid. oro