Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1886-01-13

oOA-ldl, anu luttItSbSU IL QOlull3 Oul
Tommy's whooping- cough and Polly's
measles"
well, it was something like it.
must confess l was thoroughly freed
from my illusion.''
''Of course you were-nor will it be
the last time, old man."
Indeed it will - that way. I've
made up my mind not to marry"
Walsham did not reply, but elevated
his eyebrows in a quiZZical fashion, and
then said, apparently a p-opos of moth
ing
Yes, she is an extremely handsome
girl.''
Dick started. While he had been
narrating his disappointment, his eyes
had wandered to group of half dozen
men surrounding a young lady who was
talking with great animation.
"fo on ought to know Miss Merivaile.
She is a neighbor OF yours at Cleve-
lands" went on Walsham.
81 don't remember the name.'
"Ah, very likely They came to live
there since you went away. She is an
awfully clever girl, is believer in Dar-
win and Herbert Spencer, and has writ
ten pamphlet on the electoral disabil-
tiles OF women"
Good Heaven, Walsham, what a
pity! think strons-minded women IN
tolerable,"
well, some are, l admit; but there
are exceptions. Come-let me intro
duce you to Miss MerIvaile, and you
shall judge for YOURSELF"
Trevor hesItated. He had a horror
OF "blue-stockings." At the same time
he could not but own that there was
nothing of the ''blue- stocking" in the
appearance of the young lady in ques-
ton.
Walsham however disregarded his
feeble protests, and the next moment
he was plunged into conversation with
Miss Merivaile, for Walsham had luck.
lily selected a moment when the group
hitherto surrounding the lady had
broken up.
1--WE are discussing the question of
the relief OF the poor, Captain Trevor, -
said Miss Meriyaile. "What are your
views on the Subject?r
"'Pon my word,'' rejoined Dick,
somewhat aghast, "I-er-really know
nothing about it. The beggars in the
street are an awful nuisance; but find
it saves trouble to give them a few
pence at once, rather than to have them
cackling after you for half mile or
more"
"Ah, that is the way thoughtless per-
sons pauperise the countryl Nothing is
more pernicious than indiscriminate
almsgiving."
Captain Trevor drew himself up a
little stiffly. He rather objected to be
clasSed as 'thoughtless person." es.
pecially by young lady at least five
years his Junior. But, though he was
nettled, he could not help thinking how
well that earnest expression became
Mss Merivaile's eyes.
do you intend to stay long n Eng
laDd?n asked Miss Merivaile nrrac-tly.
Probably two or three years."
"Then l should advise you to put up
for guardian on the Clevelands Board.
was elected last year and intend to
come forward again."
Trevor stared. Did he actually hear
Miss Merivaile say she was a guardian
of the poor? Surely there must be some
mistakel
IL beg your pardon; but 1 don't
quite understand.
"Oh, there's no difficulty in under
standing the dutiesI Unfortunately we
guardians are allowed SO little latitude
by the Local Government Board that
everything is simply a matter of rou-
tine"
Dick gasped for breath. His ears had
not deceived him.
But do you mean TO say that you
a lady"-he very nearly said a ''female"
-''are a guardian of the poor?"
Certainly" returned Rhoda Meri-
vale Serenely, 81 am also member OF
the Clevesdon SchoOl-Board."
Worse and worsei Trevor was dumb
found, his confusion being increased by
the amused smile which was dancing in
Miss Merivaile's eyes.
IL am afraid that my notions are
rather old-fashioned, Miss Merivaile,' -
he stammered.
"You mean that you do not approve
of women taking an active interest in
the social and moral progress of the
poor?"
"Well-er-I am not sure that have
thought very much about the matter.
| confess that years ago it seemed to me
the chief object in life which young
ladies had was 10 get married: but i
suppose all that's changed now."
Dick Trevor looked up suddenly, and
their eyes met. Was it his imagination
or did he see a faint blush on the fair
cheek of Rhoda Merivaile's?
mot quite, 1 think" sine answered
calmly. "There is still much to labor
and hope for in the improvement OF
woman's IDEAS"
"Weu," said he, ~ dare say you are
right; but 1 hope you will not find fault
with me if prefer the woman of the
old school, whose ambition 1t was to be
the best cook, the best needlewoman-
in short, the best wife i'll the world.
"In other words. that she may be
useful slave to her husband" Miss
Merivaile remarked quietly.
Substitute companion for slave,
and agree with you. can scarcely
imagine a lady-doctor, or-or-"
cor a lady-member Of a Board ol
Guardians, put in Miss Meriyaile.
II would rather say an authoress," I"
said Trevor, a little awkwardly.
"Well?' said Rhoda. with provok-
ing composure which did not lessen his
embarrassment.
"What wa. about to say was that
did not think ladies whose time and at
tention were so fully occupied with the
affairs of other people could interest
themselves sufficiently In domestic mat
ters to make good wives"
II Was not a very gallant speech in
the circumstances. and Trevor felt II
was not, for he added Immediately al
terwards-
"Forgive me if L speak my thoughts
too plainly" o hoo,
Il am grateful that you have oeen
honest enough to say what you tnlnk.
| hone some day you may have reason
to change your opinion. o,
Trevor would have proceeded furthei
in his apology, for there was a serious
ness about the young lady's mannel
| no