Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1886-12-08

tention was attracted by the figure OF a
gentleman walking before him-he was
the stranger who had spoken to the
porterS at Sutton station,
He was several yards in advance of
John Harvey. not walking In the desul-
tory, purposeless manner of a stranger,
but like one, who, having an object in
view of the goal for his attainment.
"A fine fellowl" was Johns solilo-
guy. "But 1 wonder who he is and
where he is going"
| Almost IN answer to the query the
stranger pushed upon the gate of the
Home cottage and entering, closed it
behind him.
In a few seconds more John Harvey
gained the gate and, pausing outside,
looked once more on the dear familiar
scene. TIE fine old chestnut spread
out its branches In the sunlight. and
yielded the same cool shelgr under its
leaves which 1t had yielded a fortnight
before, but Clara's couch was no longer
there. Only the small, rustic table
and wide garden seat were there, and
on low chair beside the table her face
buried on her crossed arms, was Bel
Urmson.
The stranger had walked silently and
| unnoticed across the greensward, and,
standing within a few yards of her,
was attentively regarding her.
The girl raised her head and looked
at him, then, grasping the back of her
chair slowly rose to her feet.
With little cry of joy she ran TO
him and he folded her In his arms and
kissed her. She did not shrink from
his caresses; Oh the contrary, she put
her arms around his neck and kissed
him.
Gently and tenderiy he led her to the
garden seat; and, seated there, their
voices became an indlstinct murmur to
John Harvey and he heard no more.
81 know him now," he muttered be-
tween his clenched teeth; Lieutenant
Heywood-the old lover!''
With an impcecation still on her lips
he turned his back on the scene of his
happiest hours.
Ten O'Clock was striking when John
Harvey returned to ''The Griffin" and
half an honr later he had left Sutton
forever.
Two days after his departure Bel
Urmson held in her hand letter from
HIM, bidding her farewell, and telling
her that, though he could not but
gratefully appreciate her endeavor TO
love fim, yet knowing as he did know,
that she had never forgotten her first
love, he had decided to adopt the only
course left open for him, and 60 away.
With a pale face and trembling ling
ers Bel read the letter. then she folded
it up and laid it away IN her desk.
at ten minutes to o'clock on the
morning OF the Both of June, five years
al er Mrs. Testers death, the bell over
the porch of the village school at Chip
endale rang out its summons. Ding
dong. dlng-dong; pealed along High
strset from end TO end. over the play
ground rolled the lusty tones and the
children stopped their play as they rec
ogniZed the familiar ''irOn-tongue'
and with one accord hastened to the
door.
Boys and girls rushed together, push
ing, laughing, shouting, striking out at
each other as one or the other gained
momentary advantage in the race to be
first in school.
GOOD morning, children"
The voice was full and pleasant, and
the smile broadened INTO grin on the
little faces as the speaker left her desk
and came toward them. She had a
word and smile for each, for 1t was
the opening day OF school after the mid
summer holidays. and rules were re-
laxed and little license permitted by
even so strict disciplinarian as Bel
Urmson.
Yes, she was Miss UrmsOn still-not
quite the same Bel of five years be-
fore, for sorrow and care had washed
the roses from her cheeks; but no one
gazing on her pale, beautiful face, ever
doubted the fact that her Spinsterhood
was maintained from her own choice.
She was standing up, the children
gathered around her preparatory to
their dismissal at noon, when the door
opened and the vicar of Chipendale en-
tered, followed by gentleman.
Good morning, Miss Urmson," he
sa d, shaking hands with her and nod
ding 10 the children. 81 am glad you
have not dismissed your scholars, as L
wished my friend to see them, L can
not myself stay to give him any lnfor-
nation about them; but If you will
kindly tell him about them, L shall feel
very much obliged. Mr.. Harvey, Miss
UrmSon."
Startling and unexpected as the
meeting was. Bel did not lose her self
possession. The coolest, stiffest lncn-
nation of her head acknowledged the
Introduction, then she turned aside ana
remained silent, with ringing In her
ears that almost deafened her. and
mist before her eyes which blinded
her to everything save the race OF Jonn
Harvey, But presently she saw py the
children's movement that the vicar
WIS leaving; she heard his Tetreatlng
footsteps, and, after pause, she raised
her head and said:
s.Children, you may CO."
OnIetly and decorously they trooped
ont of the room, but not until their
footsteps had died away did she turn
to John Harvey.
"Why did you come hereT" sne
asked. ,
81 certainly did not come with any
idea that 1 should see you," ne re-
piled. .,o, hod T
al need hardly assure you that hao
known of your presence here snouid
have avoided coming to Chipendaie al
together" o9p
"Then you would still shun meI
81 would. 1t is the wisest, the Only
course can pursue. ...,, ho
She was silent, debating within her
0olf whether to bid him 60 and pursue
sSa @ same course again or detain him and
ask ask for an explanation of the letter stu
a locked away in her desk: 1t WAS was more Oeg
dygni6ed more consonant with her
S.T eaiflesteem % to send him away, but her
weak, loving, womanly nature m I1oSab1a reSeltSa
against the putting aside OF propaoie
happiness. o roors aoo. ~
- hacitatinp and blushlng ike