Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1886-03-24
ing. Walt till you see Lucy, and you'll
forget all about it.''

ing. wait I'll you see Lucy, and you'll
forget all about It,"
''Why, this Cousin Lucy of yours al
most frightens mel" he replied gravely
as he dropped nay hand. "I feel half
inclined to turn and run. Has she got
sweetheart yet, Fitzgerald?r
sweetheart, sweetheart? Noln /
replied, suddenly taken aback at the
question, and scarcely knowing how to
reply. "That is, l believe not. WHY
do you ask?,
81 don't know-only because the
word came to the tip of my tongue, i
suppose"
To this 1 made no reply. 1 felt as if
a little cloud had suddenly arisen on
our horizon. A somewhat similar feel
ing must have come to Darcy, for he
too kept silence.
We had descended from the upland
and had reached the front of the house
before either of US spoke again.
"Ah, see," cried, as caught sight
of the fiutter of a dress on the lawn,
''here comes Lucy herself I'lI bet a
sovereign some of the folks from the
village have been here this morning
already and told her or our arrival"
True for you, me boyI" said the
voice of my uncle, as he turned bend
in the pat1 and stood before us. "An'
what in the world made ye put up at
O'Kelly's, instead of comm on here at
oncep''
sit was too late when we reached
Lisnaree, uncle. But allow me; this is
my friend Mr.. Darcy. Darcy. this is
my uncle"
Delighted TO meet you, me boyI"
he cried, as he grasped Darcy's hand
and shook it warmly zone of the
Darcys of Galway"
1.-The Galway Darcys are relatives of
mine," replied my friend. L was born
in Dublin, so cannot claim the City of
the Tribes as my birthplace"
!. 'More's the pityl" said my uncle,
with laugh. 'But DubIin's not at all
a bad place to belong to. Next to Lis
naree, 1 like it as well as any place L
know
SLOWS cousin Lucy?" L asked sud-
denly interrupting him. 81 thought l
saw her on the lawn, coming this way,
minute ago."
"An' so ye did, Garrett" he replied
''Look-here she is, to spake for her.
self''
The next moment Lucy bounded for
ward and caught my hand.
''Oh, you bad boy!" she cried. ''Why
did you 60 and stay at that nasty pub
lie house, instead of coming down
here? I've half mind to-"
''To shake hands with my friend Mr..
Darcy here, eh? Darcy, this is cousin
Lucy, who has frightened you away
from Lisnaree for so long,"
AS Lucy bowed, slight blush cover
ed her face; then she held out her hand
with smile to Darcy.
81 don't believe word that Garrett
says" she said, as she glanced at me
with mock sternness. s'You are not
so easily frightened, 1 am sure"
"He-he has spoken half the truth,
l confess, Miss Fitzgerald" Darcy
muttered somewhat confusedly. while
his face flushed an instant, then grew
suddenly pale. "But-"
"But you are not so much fTighten-
ed now you are?" she exclaimed, with
laugh. Come now, Mr.. Darcy, tell
me how he described me so as to frigh-
ten you? Height, six feet, hair like
bunch Of carrots, one eye squirting?
Or was it as the lonely lady of the rock
a combing her yellow hair?"
More of the second than the first,
/ assure you." Darcy replied, his con-
fusion increasing at Lucy's bantering
tone. But perhaps Mr.. Fitzgerald
will speak for himself?"
Not /, l assure you'll" 1 replied.
"There is little use talking when cousin
Lucy makes herself judge, jury, accu-
sor, and executioner all in one. You
have only to stiffen your sinews and
bear your punishment with as much
Spartan fortitude as you possess"
"COme, boys, talkin's dry work."
said my uncle. ''An' If ye try to find
an answer for everything Lucy says,
it's yourselves that'll have your work
cut out for you. Darcy, me boy, give
your arm to Lucy. Garrett and me-
self'll bring up the rear"
Blushing at first, and then turning
pale. as before, Darcy gave his arm to
Lucy and led her towards the front
door; while Uncle FitE put his arm in
mine; and, laughing with as much de-
light as boy let loose from school,
brought up the rear"
1.-THE fortnight that followed was
one Of mingled pleasure and vague dis
appointment. Lucy seemed to me
lovelier and more lovable than ever,
vet somehow not tie Lucy Of old. She
kept me more at distance than she
used 10 do, possibly because ofthe pres
elce of a stranger. Once too when L
caught her alone she grew suddenly
silent and constrained; and l could see
that It was with the utmost pleasure
she beheld Darcy walking towards US
to put an end to the one-sided tete-d-
tete.
.sOh. how vexed l am that ever
brought him herel' L muttered to N.Y.
self. "But the fortnight will be up to.
morrow, and then things will be as OF
old"
Looking at Darcy as he drew near,
saw that the visit to Lisnaree had
worked a wonderful change in him.
His figure seemed to have grown taller
and more erect, his face brighter and
more joyous, his whole manner very
different from that of the slow-going
half-cynical misanthrope OF Sackvllle
street.
ssBy Jove," thought L, what
changel l used to think myself the
better looking fellow of the two; but
where am 1 nowP Well''-trying to
deceive myself into being generous
'swell, am glad the fresh air has done
him SO much goodl He'll need it all
when he goes back te town tomorrow.
"Ab. Mr.. Darcy" cried Lucy, as he
ioined. s'surely it isn't true what Car
rett has been telling me just now? He
saws you go up to town tomorrow.
Lucy's speech was kind of a small
tbunderbolt to Darcy. His face grew
pale as sheet, and for moment or
two he could not speak word. linen
he glanced sharply almost nerceiy aV
me.
"EI had arranged at first to stay a
fortnight" he muttered in strange
voice; "but -"
"You've changed your mindr' she