Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1886-05-26
A GIRLS FOLLY.

A GIRLS FOLLY.
A small, superior cottage of bright
sl brick. sweet-scented woOdbine trail
inr over its rustic porch, green lawn
hafore 1t surrounded by flowers, and a
charming country landscape spreading
ont in the distance. Inside, IN its small
but yery pretty parlor, on the red tabel-
cover, waited the tea-tray, with Its
ems and saucerS. The window stood
open to the still. warm autumn air,
and the French porcelain clock on the
mantle piece was striking five.
A slender girl Of some twenty years
came in. She was very lovely. But
her bright blue eyes bore a sort OF
weary or dIscOutented look, ard her
bright brown hair was somewhat ruff
fed. She wore print waShiag-dreSs
OF black and while. neither very smooth
nor very fresh, and lace neck-collar
fastened with bow of black ribbon.
She had made an appointment to
meet Regir aid Vavasour, rich young
gentleman who had made her acquaint-
ance down by the willow walk, and her
lover, Thomas Watkyn, had told her
be would call that evening. Just before
be left, she said:
May ask you TO do me little IA
yor. Thomas?n
what is itg" he repeated.
"lf you would not very much mind
going home by the hill and would leave
his note ut Miss Ford's. particularly
wish her to have 1t this evening""
He paused for an instant, not reply.
irg. She went on hurriedly.
Il see that 1t is disagreeable to you.
Ihave offended you too much"
mot that he answered, holding
out his hand for tie note. ''But l can
hardly spare the time for the long way
this evening, as have 10 call at XII
Ick's for my father. However" he
said no more, but look the note.
GOOD bye, Thomas y
Good bye"
I'm glad he TOOK the motel l shall
be safe nOw."
Mss Alison Reece WIS clever young
lsdy. The direct and near Way TO Mr.
Watkins home would lead him past
the willow walk. She had devised this
impromptu note 20 Eer dressmaker in
the afternoon to prevent his taking
that usual route. Had lie seen young
,Vavasour cooling his heels within the
precincts Of the willow yak he would
inevitably suspect he was waiting 70
keep lovers trust.
Alison was busy IN the kitchen next
morning when she heard her mother
open the front door and some one come
In. sit is that chatteTing Mrs. Ben
nett" thought she, as she dried Ii e
teaspoons.
ALLISON, come here" called her
mother, IN a quick voice.
She went TO the paIlor just as she
washer sleeves turned back at the
wrist, a large, brown Holland apron on.
Very pretty she looked with it all. But
it was not Mrs. Bennett, who sat with
her mother; it was q venerable. white
haired old gentleman-Mr. Watkyn,
the elder.
= ~ am come to ask about Thomas, :"
said he. Il believe he came here last
night" Miss Alison; lat what time did
he leave you?"
4 provision struck her with sort of
tsrror that something was wrong. "He
left quite early" she faltered.
Swell, he has never come home"
mot come homer" she said, with a
Whitening face.
Il sat Cd till O'Clock, and then l
thought the mist might have kept him;
that h9 had stayed at some friends
house. l knew not what to think, and
that he would be home the first thing
this morning. But we have not seen
nm, and l cannot hear of him.
Mrs. Reece was impressed with the
heightened, guilty look that Alison
could not keep out Of her countenance,
and began to feel uneasy. Cannot
you tell what time 1t was wien he left
your" she demanded, sternly.
'"ltwas after dusk. 1t was just after
sunset-before the mist came on. 1t
must have been near O'clock"
which road did he take?" pursued
MIS-. Reece. And very reluctantly AL
Son answered, for she foresaw it would
Dfing on further questioning.
The long rOad-rOund by the HILL"
Round by the hill?" echoed Mr..
Matkyn, In alarmed surprise. why
ulo he take that road?''
Alison flushed and paled alternately;
hef lips were trembling. The fear
creeping upon her was that he and
young NayaSour had met and quarrel
eo' Perhaps fought and injured one
another fatally. In these dread mo-
ment Of suspense the mind is apt to
eohluTe up far-fetched and unlikely
thoughts.
l asked him to 90 around that
way, She replied, in tlmid tone. 81
Wanted hIm to leave note for NE at
lhe dressmaker's.n
Old Mr.. Watkyn sank into a chair,
putting his hands before his troubled
idee. Il see It all, ;" he breathed faint.
Scar
AIison uttered scream of horror.
deceived by the mist, he must have
,Iu aaiAeu too near the edge" continued
.ne old man. ''Heaven grant that it
NAY not be so, but fear it. Was he
sna' ' 10 attempt to cross the plateau on
oalchlng up his hat, Mr.. Watkyn
he ~ OUT swiftly. Mr.. Reece grabbed
Cold. iHeS "eio ioS
.,s A,,iIISon, Al what passed between you
uu ~ IihonaS last night?n
n ask me. mother. Let me