Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1889-11-27
those Of Spanish bull who faces the


the madrona thicket, Jernigan sprapg
up and made for the solitary road by a
short cut which would be sure to inter
ceps the wayfarer some quarter of a
mile below.
In his hand he grasped his open jack
knife; his heart beat like q muffied
drum.
My Tiger Lilyi" he kept repeating
70 himself, "my own little eve lambl
There Is but one way to deal with the
scoundrel who comes here to make a
football OF her heart. Ne captain in
all the Uni,e States army can do that,
and hope to escape alive?n
He stood there waiting, but Ismay
did not come that way.
Pm baffled for once" Jernigan
muttered. He has taken the Redwood
road this time. No matterI III hunt
him down vet.
He's to be in the place twelve hours
longer. They'll have to detail another
captain for duty at Morton's Pass.
that's all L shall hear him when he
comes down past Echo Rock, and
shall beready for himl''
He returned slowly-still drawing his
breath quick and fast-to the wooden
platform all stepped in moonlight, and
sat down once more in the old splint
chair.
Inside The store he could hear Lily's
light steps moving around, as she locked
the cash drawer and put the ledger and
day-bo K away.
As she did SO she murInured a snatch
OF some tune. The sound went TO old
Joe's heart.
Poor childl how innocently happy she
wasl
In a minute or so she came out into
the clear, white moonshine.
well, Uncle Joel" she said, gaily.
well, my lassi''
The words were almost like a groan.
She sat down beside him. leaning her
head against his arm.
lie stroked down the bronze, gleam-
ing hair with dumb strength of long
ing tenderness in his heart.
Her cheeks were unwontedly red; her
dark eyes sparkled beneath their long
lashes.
''How shall l tell her?" thought the
cd man. MY pet lamb, that l
wouldn't hurt for a kings ransoml l
never was one to pick and choose my
words, like preacher or a lawyer.
But she'd ought to know-yes, shed
ought TO knowl''
"Uncle Joel" said Lily, after a mo-
ment or two OF silence.
Yes, my girll''
''There-there' something l want to
tell you"
SIS there, Lny?''
His heart sank within him. Was it
coming now?
''You won't be veXed, Uncle Joe?n
she whispered, nesting her head closer
against his arm.
'i-ve,.sd with you, my girl? That
amt up-and-down likely, is itP But
I've done wrong, Lily-I've forgot
that great, rough man like me amt
the sort to look arter a tender chick
like you. 1 should "a watched closer,
Lily-that's what l should have done. {"
What should you say, uncle, {"
whispered Lily, ''if-if l am to get
married and leave your"
"To-get married, Lily?"
Haven't you suspected this, uncle,
of late?''
He drew long breath.
Yes, L have" said he. "But, oh,
Lily, is your heart very much in thisp"
"Unclel'
HAS he asked you TO marry him,
LilyP''
-
''Then"-the old man flung his clay
pipe down upon the ground, where it
broke into a score or fragments. and
muttered deep execration under his
breath-''he's villain, that's all!''
"Unclel" cried out the girl.
''And a double-dyed one at that!''
said the excited old man. ''Lilyl Llyl
lie has wife already. at Morton's Pas!
He's going to her now.'
Lily had lifted her head and looked
earnestly at her uncle.
But, uncle. he isn't going to Nor
toms Pass"
Yes, he ls-to-morrow. And l wish
he'd fallen dead before lie ever came TO
Omayo with his epaulettes and his jing-
ling spurs, and his false, handsome
faceI''
Uncle" cried Lily, "whom are you
talking about?''
About Captain Ismay, to be sure. -
But what has CaI tain Ismay TO do
with n?''
Everything, hasn't he?''
Lily knit her pretty brows in a puz-
zled fashion.
Nothing at ALL" said she, "except
that he's been an excellent fr end -
Reuben. and we're both ever SO much
obliged to him. Only think, uncle
he's got the contract for Reuben to be
chief electrical engineer at North Ma
rino in the new works there, and when
ever you can spare me, uncle
''ReubenI'' burst out Joe Jernigan.
''Yes, to be sure-Reuben DOrsay.
We have been engaged a long time
now. Do you mean, you dear, darling,
stupid old uncle, that you never sus-
pected this?"
'Neverl" said Uncle Joe, shifting his
knee with his fist. '-But look here,
Tiger Lily, do you love him?''
Yes, Uncle Joe.'
"And he loves you?"
''Of cousse he does"
"Then, said the old man, "I haven't
a word of objection. 81 shall be awful
lonesome without you, but as long as
you're both happy, why, it's sll right. -
And as he kissed her forehead. she
thought she felt the touch of tear
drop on her brow.
but it can't be possible, said Tiger
Lily. to herself, because who ever
heard OF Uncle Joe shedding a tear?''
But Tiger Lily did not know that this
tear was not one of grief, but rather of
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