Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1889-03-20

less: she has trusted to her cleverness
to avoid such q climax, but how was |
she to know a horrid wasp would sting
her.
Tremblingly she releases herself.
DO not address such words to me.
Mr.. Rowden,' she says, as severely as
she can, from fright.
why may not tell you how love
you? And you-you will love me Just
a little, Will you not, darling?' he
whispers.
No, mop she says, turning pale, for
she has burned her own fingers in the
blaze she has kindled. no. Jack, l.
l cannot love you.'
'Why?' cries Jack, excitedly; and
she, feeling that the hour has come,
murmurs family:
Because IL am already marrledr
Married. gasps Jack. Are you msdY
Are you joking? Married. Good Godl
is 1t true?'
There is such ring OF anguish is his
voice that she turns away; she cannot
meet his honest eyes.
'Yes,' she whispers. 1t is the truth.
l thought you knew at frst; then, when
L found you did not, l thought you
had learned to care for me little, ami
was afraid to tell you, and $685.
And so.' says Jack, through his
teeth, and so-you have made fool of
me-
The other two ladies were silent
throughout this discussion They had
anchored the boat near the bank of the
stream. where JACK had thought 10 find
a good fishing ground. One of the ladies
had left the boat to relieve herself OF
the cramped position occasioned by the
long ride, and was quietly seated on the
bank.
Fishing had no longer a charm for
Jack Rowden. Without another word
he pulls the party with vigorous strokes
back to the landing, where the other
two ladies leave them. la utter silence,
Jack walks TO the house with her,
where, with a profound bow, he turns
to leave.
% Jackr she walls You don't
know how 1 suffer; won't you forgive
mep'
L have nothing to forgive, returns
Jack, lightly, although the lines IN his
forehead belle his words. a little fir
tatlon is always more or less interest
ing, especially in the country.
Just here a carriage drives hastily
up the walk, from which Mrs. jackson
slights. She is pale and sgitated, anu
as she sees FAIRY she exclaims:
My dear. have bad news for you,
but 1t may not be true; the Columbia,
on which Mr.. Ellewayne sailed. Is re-
ported as lost, not soul on board was
saved
With a cry of horror Fairy throws up
both hands and falls to the ground.
Jack does not die. For awhile his
| appetite fails, aud he thinks very Bit
terly OF womankInd in general. But
after some months his mind recov ,rs
is normal tone and he goes to pay q
visit to some distant relatives, where
he Is much soothed by the friendship OF
a dark-eyed, gentle girl; and, as hearts
are lightly caught in the rebound, with
tue return OF autumn he finds himself
repeating the old story, aud as Oracle
hides her bIushing face on his breast,
he thanks God that his life has not
been wrecked by passion ere he has
learned the meaning OF true love.
He has never seen Fairy since heI
husbands death-for the rumor was
correct-but she has not forgotten HIM
and now that her term of mourning
has expired, she sends him little note
bidding him, should he be In town, tC
call on his 'true-hearted Fairy
Sne has not forgotten her old lover
nor his large bank account; and theI
she really does like him better thar
any one else.
Jack laughs as he reads her note
Soon after he goes to the city aud drive:
TO Fsiry's house. She comes forward
to meet him in the prettiest way, botl
hands outstretched, and the sweetest o.
lavender robes floating about her.
L knew you would not forget me
Jack, dearl' she cries, sweetly.
Once having seen you, 1t would b'
impossible to forget SAID Jack, with 1
tender glance.
But, come, sit down, whesling al
easy-chair toward him, Tell me wha
you have been doing all these months.
} That is a long story. 1 shall hav,
TO reserve IL for some future time
Fairy signs and pensiyely toys wit
, the ribbons OF her dress
Besides adds Jack. IF you will ex
cuse my abruptness, 1 have favor T.
ask of you.'
Anything for you, jack DEAR witt
melting glance.
Il know I'm about to ask All unusua
thing, but you have such exquisiU
taste, and as l came to town on a yer
important mission, here Fairy blushe
II want you to come to my alder
: er-doubtless you have heard of 10
approaching marriage with Miss Grac
] Dodson, and l am here toto BeleC
presents for the bri lesmaids. Now,
with deprecatlng look, 4 know 8
: little of such things, would 1t be ask
! ing too much for you TO drive down Z
TIffany's with mep'
An sshen psllor settles over Fairy
, face; she tries TO smile, but there is
I drawn, tense look about the muscles c
, her mouth and a baff1ed expressiO
} creeps into her eyes; nevertheless, sh
= bears up bravely.
D 4 am so sorry, Jack, but a horri
engagement keeps me in all the morn
= ing.'
/ After some further con nversation JAG
D takes his leave. AS he steps In To
z hall to button his glove, a bell run
sharply, and cross voice-Falry
voice, but oh, Low chaDgedI-say
! shrilly:
J Not at home to any one, Griggsl
I have a headache. l am going to bed
. 1t was an unnanly thing to do, bU
5 revenge is sweet says Jack, as b
7 aIriIy lifts his hat to an acquaintance