Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1886-07-21

always intend to live so alone-don' t
you want to marry?"
A wave of color, like the warm tint
TO sea-shell, covered LOttie's sweet
face
81 am going to marry very soon, I"
she said after moment.
"Are youp And do you mind telling
me about it-and him?" questioned
the woman.
HE is teaching German and French
to the children that am nursery-gov-
erness to, and we meet there very
often. 1 know he is good and noble,
because-because do. He shows it In
every look and act"
And you love hlmp"
"Ah, yesl Yes, indeedl"
Something in the sweet purity and
rapt expression of the girls face made
the woman turn suddenly away and
wipe her eyes. And then nothing more
was said by either until the dainty sup.
per of tea, toast and egg was cooked by
Lottie, and placed before the woman
on little tray, covered with a worn
came the question:
"What are you going to do with me
| to-night-turn me Out?"
'Oh no, indeed. You shall sleep on
my led, and I can make a pallet here
by the fire. My bed Is out of sight
now," she added, with a laugh. as the
woman looked around inquirIngly. 81
like to have my room sitting-room;
so, if any one comes TO see me fold
my bed into lounge, and put all
my toilet things behind that pretty cur
tain, and that leaves me little parlor,
you see. Isn't II pleasant"
The old woman's face was mystery
az she looked and listened. The thin
lips continually twitche1, and the eyes,
with all their sharpness gone, filled
again and again with tears, But she
asked no more questions.
Lottie ate her own supper, then went
into the closet, took down the tiny
dish-pau, poured out her water that
had been heating while they ate, then
put out and set back the little stove,
and quickly cleaned up all signs OF sup
per, working quietly, as she supposed
| the weary woman was doing, when, on
the contrary, she was intently watching
every set of the young housekeeper.
| Work done, apron was removed, clean
cuffs put on, the soft curls brushed and
tastefully tied; then Lottie came to the
IRE, and seeing Ter visitor awake, said,
with smile and pretty blush:
my Robert Is coming this evening,
and you will see if he is not good and
noble looking"
"He is coming this EVENING"" ex-
claimed the woman. starting up. Then
! must go at once"
"Indeed, noI Where would you go?
You will stay right here" said Lotte
with decision.
And at that very instant steps
sounded on the stairs, and she added.
with quick smile:
"Here he is now"
Trembling, and evidently at her wits
end, the woman sank back into her
seat, and nov. while Lottie went
TO the door and greeted her lover
i'll a few low spoken words, she sat
staring into the fire, as though conster-
nation had given place to amusement.
Laying his hat and coat over chair,
Robert CiaXton came round to tie fire,
and looked down at the old woman. as
she looked up at him, and there was a
moments silence.
"Grandmotherw he exclaimed at
last, In voice of stupefed amazement.
Grandmother, am l dreaming?"
We'll no, think not. You don't
appear to be-" answered she, as though,
after all, it was great joke.
But you-what-I-"
Didn't l say / was going to?" asked
she, shortly.
mo, you didn't say what, and
l never thought"
mo. 1 suppose not, but l did. See
here. Lottie."
Like one doubling her senses, Lottie
hal stood listening to this strange
dialogue, and even at this peremptory
order she had not tine power to move.
.sThis Is my grandmother, Lottie, I"
began Robert, as if at loss how to tell
his story.
But she interrupted briskly.
SRI tell you about it myself, Lottie. J"
said she. ~ am his grandmother, and
l am not poor, and no more Is he, as he
has made you believe, On the con-
trary, he is to have all my money, and
L had set my heart on his marrying
Grace Lathrop-yes, the very young
lady where you teach, and ne set
his heart Oh finding out what she was
like. So | humored him, and ne lett
of his last name, Sterling. and went 10
the family with a glowing recommen-
dation from me. He also saw you, and
could never repeat all his love rhapso-
dies. / was chazrined that my choice
Ind bean found at fault, and de-
termined to discover flaws in bis, and -
well, I've tried and failed"
She paused there, and rising sud-
denly, went to amazed and bewlldereu
Lottie, and took her hand.
"Robert, the girl you love IS worthy
all YOU have said and believed OF her.
SIe is a pure, true, noble girl, with a
heart that you or any man must strive
hard to be worthy of. Take her, with
the warmest blessing you crusty, doubt
ing grandmother can ask or give:
Tenderly Robert clasped the hands
placed in his, and drew her to MS
breast,
"Lottie, my darling, you forgive
US both?" =,
BIT. from mingled astonishment and
iov. Lottie was sobbing and speeckless-
III played the hungry old woman
pretty well, 1 guess" said old Mrs.
Sterling. complacsntly, as she sat down
by the Ore again. "I'm old and SICK
looking, and of course the child never
guessed was swathed In thick nannels
Under all these rags. But, oh, Robert,
NV how. YOU have found little treas.
ure-you have indeed! be worthy VI
herl'' .s
"I will try, grandma" he said,
tenderly kissing Lottie's piusning'
happy face, ''every hour OF my LIE.