Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1888-08-08


charm to exercises, evenp'
Shortly the round young voice was
Joined by a mans, full, deep and rich
Rodney started.
"Confound I'll The professor,
suppose, said he, restlessly.
He ran down stairs and found his
mother In the drawing-room. The
door OF the music-room was partly
open; he caught a glimpse OF Elsie
standing by the piano, the professor
playing the accompaniment, a rather
prim governess seated in the window,
knitting.
Rodney. you look more like your
old self" said his mother.
Rodney fixed a pair of rather dreamy
gray eyes upon the fire; he was strange
ly silent, his mother glanced at him
with secret pride What a manly fel-
low he was-Ithe and strong, self
reliant and rather masterful. The
grave and gentle expression he had as
sumed became him well.
"MotherI" he said at length.
"Well, RodneyP"
Your ward is not like ordinary
girlsP''
mo, Rodney, she is not. Do you
still think she could be happy In a
bOarding-schOOl2"
NO, mother, you were in the
right" he said. 81 acknowlege that. I"
~ will not send her away from me. ~
returned the lady, gently. "until l
must, when some golden-haired prince
carries her off, as 1 suppose one will,
some day."
Rodney pulled his mustache medita-
lively.
HAS she met many Of your friends,
mother?' he inquired.
He tried to speak quietly.
''No-but she must soon- 1 fear she
leads rather lonely life, although she
seems very happy
''She has a charming face" he re-
marked thoughtfully.
"And a charming disposition, al
| though she does not lack spirit" said
the lady, working away busily at the
screen she WAS embrOidering. "When
she has completed her studies, 1 intend
to introduce her formally to my friends.
She Is an accomplished little creature.
Her music master expresses himself
| delighted with her, and he is very slow
TO give praise
a light footstep was heard In the
hall.
Where are you, auntie dear?" que
ried a soft voice, and Elsie Fletcher
entered the room.
The girl started as her eye fell upon
Rodney. who had risen; faint blush
tinged her cheek, but her frank brown
eyes regarded the young man with shy
curiosity
Elsie, darling" said the lady, ''this
Is my son Rodney, home again at
Iast.r
Welcome humel' she said, extend
ing a dimpled hand.
Rodney bowed over Il, thinking he
had never looked upon 4 falrer, more
| tlower-like face than Elsie Fletcher's-
Seating herself upon low cushion at
Mrs. Morton'S feet, the young girl
gazed into the tire, feeling rather shy,
and conscious that Rodney's gray eyes
were regarding har- GSGtiy NrS. Nor
ton stroked the soft brown hair.
"EIsie. what do you suppose this
young gentleman suggested that !
should do?''
The girl looked up into Mrs. Nor.
/ toms face in a pretty, puzzled fashion
"That 1 should place you at board
/ ing-school; he thinks you would fee
/ happier there, amongst others OF your
own age" earnestly regarding the
/ girl.
| s.MOtherl" exclaimed the young man,
/ beSeechingly. IL would have been diff
/ icult to describe his feelings as Elsie's
| lovely, childish face was turned upon
/ him. full of wonder and dismay. "MiSs
/ Fletcher, believe me, did not know
what 1 WAS saying, for L had not seen
/ you then"
The girl cast one grieved look VI
into ROdney's face.
Il had thought you would be my
FRIEND" she SAID. ~ am disappointed
/ in YOU"
/ these words occasIoued the young man
| her soft heart would have ached fol
him.
miss Elsie, forgive me. III so tC
bOarding-school myself rather than
send you away with laughing flasl
in his eyes.
Elsie burst into gleeful laugh, and
placed her hand in his.
THANK you, he said, carrying th'
slim hand to his lips. I'VE will b,
| friends; is it not SOP"
''Oh, yes, let us be friends" agreeC
Elsie, softly; and then her eyes turned
to the fire, and a shyness stole owe
4
brown head resting against Mrs. Nor
TONS knee, looking so thoroughly Low
able that Rodney did not wonder tina
his mother should stroke the prett,
head that rested contentedly agains
her.
By-and-by she went to the heavily
clrtained window, looking out upoI
the deepening twilight. Rodney sool
| crossed the room and stood by he
SIDE
at is growing dark, "she said. 9Th
twilight hour sometimes makes m'
feel a little sad"
"You are very impressionable, ar
you not" glancing down somewha
tenderly.
Perhaps looking off into spac
with lovely, thoughtful eyes. Don
you love to watch the lamp-lIghterp
do" continued the girl. ''He alway
seems to me such lonely, mysteriou
being. 1 never imagine he is seen i
the full glare of daylight, but ever
evening he can be seen coming dow
the street. There he is now-qulte a
old man to brave snow and hail an
rain. am glad this evening is such
fine one for his task" in voice
sweet pity, and watching him Wit
dreamy eyes.
"Perhaps he works cheerfully a
day long at trade; he looks robust
his hair is so white"
please do not spoil my fancy; b
does not work all day long; half petu
Iantly. "He Is a mysterious persol
age. who springs out of the ground
dusk; they all do; for who ever hear
of a Iamp-lighter who died or marie
like other peoplep"
Rodney smiled at the earnest, NJ
, turned face of the young girl.
A young man came rapidly along; b
glanced up at the woman expectantl,
and bit his lip as his eye fell upon Ro'
ney. Elsie had drawn back into u
! shadow.
! And is that your blond primo
: Miss Elsie?r questioned Rodney, STIR