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

JDfN HAN IL L - MlC1 AMI.
Allie was Passing away; softly and
rsntly it was gliding into eternity. Nc
sninent physician watched its decay,
no wealth eased its painful ioltings
,long the road 10 death; yet no word
nassed Clara Lester's lips; no traitor
ms cry that her burden was greater
han she could bear came from her
,ovzl heart. Pain had traced many a
Wrinkle on her fair forehead, but her
| Rows had never been drawn together
angry impatience-
Bel Urmson, loving her sister de-
,Otedly, and tending her daily, was
sept in ignorance of her danger, and
eyer suspected the slenderness of her
5Old on life. Ba only saw that Clara
vas young and beautiful and delicate.
YES. she was delicate; but then Clara
lad been delicate from her childhood,
md since that dreadful morning when
news came TO them that the steam
;hip Cawnpore had been wrecked
If the African coast, and Captain
Lester's name had appeared among the
passengers drowned or missing, his
goung bride, Clara Lester, had, as
Margaret expressed it, never raised her
lead. Death and her sister were, how
aver. never associated in Bel Urmson's
mind. Clara was delicate and that
vas all.
Three years had run their course
;inee the wreck of the Cawnpore and
Captain Lester had never come back TO
bis wife; and now, she whispered to
herself, she was going to him.
Before Bel had attained her eigh-
zenith year she was engaged to be mar
ned to Lieutenant Haywood, a young
,fcer in the -th Hussars; but a
Misunderstanding had arisen between
hem, and they parted. Clara used 20
.ay 10 her IT am sure theTs is only
;ome foolish mistake between you,
and some day Lieutenant Haywood Will
ZONE back to you, and everything will
be explained"
But Bel had laughed scornfully at
Clars's prophecy and refused to place
sny confidence in it. Her disappoint-
ment had shaken her confidence IL hu-
man goodness and integrity, and she
became suspicious, reticent and sar-
.astie. But gradually Clara Lester's
Influence effected change, and two
sears later Bel Urmson had learned TO
0ye again and was once more engaged
to be married.
One morning Bel was seated on a
low stool by her sisters couch, her chin
resting on her hand and her eyes gaz-
ing yacantly on the floor. She haG
been silent for a long time, when sud-
denly she spoke.
81 thought John ought to know that
had loved before, and SO L told him
the story of my love. Was | rightr'
and she turned her dark, handsome
face to her sister. while her glorious
brown eyes seem TO repeat her ques-
lion, "Was right?"
''Quite right" Clara answered,
you have only fOresta led the advice
INTENDED to give you to-da5. AND
be, Bel-what did Mr.. Harvey say!"
A blush crept up the girls cheeks,
and her eyelids dropped for an instant
rs she said:
"I don't think he liked it Clara; he
looked SO disappointed; but he sald
very kite; but l do love him, and he
has no cause for jealousy. But he Is
iealOus-jealous as Othello-" and with
a light, careless laugh, she turned
away.
"I'm sure Bel does not love him, y
the sister murmured, squeezing her
fingers together in agony at the
thought
81 have come earlier than usual,
said John Harvey, who now entered.
The fact is, have received a teie,
gram from my father, informing me oil
bis arrival in England, and requesting
my immediate presence in SouthhamP-
ton, because, as he expresses 1t, he Is
not so well. l do not suppose 1t IS any
thing serious: nevertheless, L am
obliged to leave Sutton tonight"
81 am sorry" Clara said. II hope
you will find him better" John, she
continued. leaning over and laying her
hanc in his, ''my life is so uncertain,
may never see you again. Don't start
the thought is IOt new to me.
Promise me, | will not ask you 10
swear it, for a mans word should DC
binding as his oath-but promise me
now, before | die, to be always KIND 70
Bel.n
Startled and surprised though ne
was, without a moments hesitation, lie
answered:
81 promise. To the utmost OF my
power will be good to your darling.
"Thank you, she murmured, as hei
sister and the nurse made their appear
ance. "And now, if you Will take
Bel away, Margaret shall help me &c
tony room. Goodbye, John.
He shook hands with her, express
ing hope that when he returned ne
should find her stronger. Then he ano
Bel walked to the small iron satt
which divided Mr.. Lester's miniature
garden from Sutton Common, ana
pausing there he asked:
"Bel, will you write to me While
am away?''
They had been engaged only
month, and this was their first separs'
uon; nevertheless, she answered. VIII
warm decision:
"No; you will live on my letters ano
be In no hurry to come back to me.
That same night, Clara Lester founo
The release for which she had SO lons
waited.
81 will never listen to any OF Bef'
mad projects again." was John dal,
Tey's mental resolution as he stepPeu
out upon the platform of Sutton ga
ton. 81 have been away only tort
night, and it seems An age since I badt
her goodbye at the gate"
As he approached the cottage MS ~