Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1886-09-08
LILLIAN.

They had been engaged a month.
The village had buZzed audIbly over the
news that Jack Murray had come home
from Arizona to marry his old play
mate, Janette Prayn, and had further
more bought an interest in Grayton
Mills, and gone into business with all
his energy. The wedding was arranged
for October, and meanwhile
Yes. He was bound to Janette.
There was no forgetting OF ignoring of
the fact-but Lillian? HIS heart tugged
at its chain each time she spoke to him
or looked his way. The silken bond
had become fetter. Janette was the
Janette he had always known-a wo-
manly presence, gracious and gentle:
but he had come home to find Lillian a
beautiful surprise. Bright, audacious,
wilful, almost reckless, she darted
from gayety to gayety like humming-
bird among roses. a dance here, a
ride there, midnight row, flowers,
music, little notes of invitation. boxes
Of bonbons-from weeks end to weeks
end the bright routine went on; and
Jack, whom it did not N any way con-
cern. kept up his impatient protest.
"Can't you see, Janette, that IL Is
wrong for you to allow Lillian to go on
in this way? 4 girl of sixteen should
not be permitted such entire freedom.
You ought to curb her a little. 1t IS
wrong to the child-an injustice. You
stand in the place of a mother"
Jack, dearl As if | possibly could
curb her?"
swell, her father-some Ole ought
to-"
'sBut she doesn't do anything wrong.
She likes to be gay-that Is natural;
and these young people about are boys
and girls that have grown up with her
-neighbors and classmates. l do not
see how she possibly could be harmed. "
"But she is away from home nearly
every day, and all her evenings are
taken up with Tom, Dick and Harry.
Her own people scarcely get glimpse
of her."
"WeI, it's vacation now, you know,
and besides. in little while, when l
am gone, Lillian will have TO settle
down. Sae will know the weight Ct
care soon enough"
Janette was smiling tenderly, but she
could not smile away the gloom from
her lovers face.
81 have scarcely patience with you-
Janette, - he said almost angrily. set.
tie down? The girl is utterly spoiled
for anything like domestic lie. Do
YOU suppose she will ever fill your place
TO your father and the children! 1t was
very unfortunate for her that she Wa
left without mother"
Tears filed Janette's eyes. She bil
her lip hard in the effort to restrain
them. Why was Jack always so Sc.
we're in his censure on Lillian, and
through Lillian on her? Why did hs
alone seem to regard with intolerance
this bright young creature Whom al
the world loved.
This sad questioning had been grow
ipc daily in Janette's meek, loyins
heart. Suddenly Jack flung himself
down beside her and kissed Ler cheek
.sDon,t be sad, dear. l only mean
that she-that Lillian seems too'lhue
pendent Of US all. and for so young
girl-but of course, it Is not your iauit
Janette-and shall I-shall L reasoI
with her2 Do you think 1t would d'
any good?" so,,.
"Not the least bit in the world, dear
but you may try"
Jack did try the very next morning
Janette took the children and wen
down to the village, to give him an op
portunity to deliver his lecture In goo'
form. lie found Lillian dawdilng owe
a late breakfast, unti6y as usual, ou
as usual exauIsitely clean. Her WRAP
per had a torn sleeve that showed III
ivory of one rounded arm-her hair wa
tumbling from its SILKY oraluS' Oh
looked like fresh-crushed rose.
Jack had dressed himself with ull
usual care; but, then, he was goihs u
TO the city on business.
swell, Lilian!"
uUoW nice you lookp' she said. VII
a smile. bright and Indifferent. al
sn tired We did not get home I'll
three this morning. waltzed my lee
right through my slippers.
"WeP" ,uos
",'-nrpe Archer and Harry Chas
came home with NE. I'm sorry III
very tired. We arranged to go up =
Eage Rock this afternoon. L doii
see how can" u.bo,
81 don't see how you can" lie ma
walked away W en0 ,Ir naar nc,
came back and seated himseii he"i He'
at the breakfast table. ,u,.r ~
"You are puzzle to me, Lillian,
ga puzzle am l? VIII you nav nav
some coffee. 1t isn't very warm' W.
am / puzzle, Jackr ,r ;
"Weil. not a puzzle, either; ohiy, ,,r
seems strange you are so different ffot
Janette." ho mora lik
herPn she asked, with a curious SfS,Iv v"l q
smile, balancing a spoon carefD''y o
tbe edge of her empty cup; o,,
sin one respect yes. Janette cite, wUut out
not spend her time romplng about ,,,sn VIZ T.,
a crowd of Insignificant young men, 10
ssBnt 1 am very insignificant PEI
.on. !" she retorted, calmly: s;.
"You will let yourself pecoIue ins
<xroxyo1U Y0n II