Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1888-08-08
.sked the question as soon as he had

asked the question as soon as he had
spoken.
II do notl'' very Indignantly. add
Ing with pretty disdain, "I would not
do that-how could you think itP"
glancing uD with pair OF lovely, un-
offended eyes.
Forgive me-" said Rodney, for the
second time, and gentle Elsie smiled a
pardon
Rodney" said his mother, from her
seat by the fire, '''have you forgotten
your old habit OF singing to me just at
dusk?"
mo, mother, have not forgotten"
"Sing something now, please
urged Elsie, in pleading tone.
"What shall it be-a German song?"
"Oh, yes" eagerly
He went TO the piano, and, after
striking few rich chords, commenced
the song in clear, mellow voice. The
melody was sweet; It's tenderness
touched the young girl.
What is it?" she questioned, when
he had finished.
"a simple little love song" he re-
Piled, smiling at her. 1.-The German
students often sing it as serenade."
From the song he gIided into light
and graceful snatches from operas, and
finally the delicious strains of a most
inspiring waltz hoated through the dim
room. Lightly the young girl sprang
to her feet, lightly she danced, fitting
| around like a fairy in fre-iit room,
sinking at last into her old cosey chair,
laughing and breathless.
THANK you for lovely Dance" she
exclaimed enthusiastically.
And thank you for your lovely
| JanoInrv ranlipH RAipav gsI uyiSh
you were a wave of the sea, that you
might ever do nothing but that"
y sweet-voiced bell announced the
| dinner-hour; the meal that followed
was splced with merry repartee and
| laughter. Then came music again,
and reading and chat; and when the
party separated, Rodney was infatua-
/ ted with his mothers little ward.
Winter melted into spring; summer
came. Rodney contded to his mother;
he told her he had learned to love ner
ward, but both agreed that it would
not be just to speak of it until Elsie
| had seen other men,
| lie crossed the Atlantic, and re-
NAMED away until late in the fall.
The following winter. Elsie Fletcher,
having completed her studies, entered
society. Her sweet face won her
/ friends and admirers. ROdney's pro-
tecting care OF her was pretty to sea,
although ne did not render 1t conspic
uous.
] Mrs. Morton was the only person
who dreamed that the young man felt
anything more than a friendly interest
/ in the lovely girl. In the ballroom, it
was hard trial for him to watch Elsie
| floating away from HIM IN another's
i aTr t.rfaI lra. a1
learned to dance.
| One brilliant afternoon Rodney en-
| tered the room where Mrs. Morton was
busy with bit OF fancy work. Elsie
was curled up in a huge chair, reading.
Put away your book, Elsie; the
sleigh will be at the door presently;
will you go with me for a little driver"
.'I should dearly love top jumping
up. while the color deepened IN her
cheeks, and pleasure beamed from her
brown eyes. MAY i. auntie dear?"
pleadingly.
Yes, 1t would do you good, child. ="
"Pray wrap up warmly, it IS in
tensely cold" advised Rodney, smiling
at her.
s'I will. 1 am not afraid of the
weather" dancing out of the room.
Mother" said the young man, seat
ing himself, and speaking so gravely
that the lady dropped her work and
looked at him, confidence is the CON-
panion of success feel strangely in
need of confidence to-day, for L have
resolved to tell Elsie OF my love for
her."
Rodney, wish you success with
all my heart" said his mother, color
Ing with emotion
II Ilgax x-RFN hnnL E1n
cares for any one of the young men
who dangle around her?" anxiously.
Two or three are decidedly eligible.
Elsie would never think of that. how
ever. 1 cannot be sure, of course, but
she does not appear particularly inter
ested in any of them."
Rodney heaved a sigh of relief, then
he said in troubled tone:
Mother, young Geroldson is at
tracted by her; he is considered the
most eligible young bachelor In the
city; did you notice how he followed
her with hls eyes when l led her off In
waltz"
',NonsenseI / only noticed the adOr.
able smile she gave you as you spoke
to her, my boy" replied the lady,
lightly, hardly recognizing her conf
dent son In his present anxious mood
The door opened and Elsie appeared
clad completely in sealskIn. The rict
dark fur heightened her graceful love
illness; like picture she stood, regard
ing the two with a smile. The care
worn expression left the young man:
pleasant face; his heart throbbed as Ia
looked at her.
II am all ready said the sweet
bird-like voice, land the sleigh is a
the door, Rodney"
Mrs. Morton waved an adieu to the
two as they sped off.
success To you, my boy" murmure,
she, thinking what splendidly matches
couple they were.
Jingle, Jingle, went the merry bells
smoothly the pretty sleigh slIppe'
along.
"No cloud above, no earth below,
A universe Of sky and snow,'
"What a beautiful world this is,
exclaimed Elsie, drawing a deep breatl
! of pleasure.
Rodney silently agreed with her, a
he glanced at the pure face beside him
II had seemed a beautiful world to hir
! since he had known that 1t held Elsi
Fletcher.
! "How brilliant the sunshine is!'' pul
sued the girl. "Did you ever 6
! slelghing on a finer day?"
mo, indeed" agreed Rodney.
They entered the park where
2 every pine and Or and hemlock
Wore ermine too dear for an earl"
Look at those poor little birds
[ should think they would freeze on ths
! lev twig," remarked Elsie.
4 sSparrows and robins are hard
creatures, !" returned Rodney. smiling
.sThav do not mind the cold.r
"Dear, tiny things!" said the gir
: with ready tenderness
How lovely she wasl There was
' soft charm in her manner that entirel
a captivated Rodney. Was she at a
conscious OF the power she possessed
, win love and admirationp No-tt
= | - -. that az fnuntIs child IL