Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1889-06-19

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Miss RalsUon, L am afraid you have
entirely misunderstood me- Jacks |
voice was very low. What | really |
meant was this: Suppose a man-say. |
for instance, myself-cared for a g.rl |
with all his heart and soul-was de-
votedly and sincerely attached to her
had learned to realize that without her |
life was dreary and desolate-suppose,
/ say, that this man was, through his |
own folly and reckleSSness, so deeply in |
debt that il was all he could do TO |
struggle on alone-do you think such |
man would have the right 10 speak to |
a woman of his love?'
Il think if he did not, she answered. |
She would he doing both the W man and |
himself great injustice
The words came from her slowly and |
gently, and then she raised her eyes to |
Jack face, with wistfUl. tender look
in them.
Miss Ralston-Nellie-I'
Then Mrs Mauron came bustling in
the room, and after a few minutes
conversation, Jack left.
He bounded up the stairs like boy,
and on entering his room, found the
following note on his desk:
GARRISON, Dec. "a, 1S8-
MY DEAR Mr.. JACk:-We are ar
ranging for a straw ride tonight, and a
little supper at my house afterward-a
complimentary to the bachelors by the
ladies OF the post. VIII YOU kindly
bear me escort? | know Miss Nellie
intends TO ask Mr.. Stanton, so you can
come with me and lie as cross as YOU
want to. Sincerely yours,
MARION RETLAw.
I tal. all a
that | am! 1t is really Stanton she
ca es for; and yet L could have sworn
Pshawl what a conceited fool | ami
And he dashed the note of kind little
Mrs. Retlaw' on the desk impatiently.
1t is peculiar what great effect
trifiing matters have upon onel And
Mrs. Retlaw's kind little note had cast
Jack into the depths of despair.
OF course he'll propose TO her to-
night, he thought, 'and of course she'll
accept him; and then III have to con-
gratulate the fellow, when | really 'eel
more like stranglng him. Thank God,
I'm near my promotion. That will
carry me away from here, and then
and then-what? More difference
suppose and he laughed harshly.
When Jack went TO dinner that even
ing, Stanton and the rest of the men
were there, all discussing the coming
sleigh-ride.
Say, Jack, what time do we startP'
some one asked him, after they had sat
down to the table.
L suppose so,' he answered, in an alb
stracted manner, going on with his
dinner.
a sally of laughter followed his reply.
Stanton's voice being especially loud.
Jack looked up quickly
Stanton, what do you find So anus
ing in my remark?
His voice was extremely sharp and
Intolerant.
The laughter quickly subsided.
Nothing especial, Stanton answered,
very cOurteously. But some one asked
you when we were to start on our
sleigh-rlde, and you answered, 4 sup
pose So That's all, old man. | trust
L haven't offended you. However, lie
added, addressing the mess in general,
Il can answer that question. Let's
see'-snd he drew from his blouse
pocket dainty little note-'Miss Rails
ton says about eight O'clock
Then he carefully refolded il very
ostentatiously, aud put 1t i'll ms pocket
The dinner was finished without
further remark, and before they ad-
jOurned to bundle up for the ride,
Nesby had apologized TO Stanton for his
loss of temper, and lhey parted on
amicable terms-outwardly at least.
Jack had hardly reached his quarters
when there was jingling of merry
bells, and, the post Sleigh. driven 10y
four horses. dashed up to the door.
All aboardI' shouted Mr.. Stanton,
familiarly known as the admiral
Then there was the babel and confu-
sion always attendant on such occasions
and Jack heard Stanton and Miss Rails
ton in the hall beneath.
From where he stood at the head of
the banisters he could catch a glimpse
of her, richly and warmly wrapped up
in her costly sealskins and furs, while
Stanton was on both knees. fastening
ber oyershoeS.
Oh, how he hated the mani
But presently the admiral shouted
again. and, seeing there Was no time to
lose, he hurried TO join the party out
side.
The post sleigh consisted of the bed
of an army wagon on bObs, with i'm
provised seats, the bottom snugly COW
cred with hay and plenty of buffalo
robes.
On the first seat Stanton and Miss
Ralston-then Jack and Miss Retlaw;
and the other seats were Occup ed by
the balance of the party. jackson, one
of the quartermaster's employees, was
driving.
1t was a glorious night; the roads
were in excellent condition, and the
horses fresh and mettlesome.
Everybody seemed to be talking at
once, but Jack had ears and eyes only
for the couple n front of them.
1t was in vain that pretty little Mrs.
Retlaw put her best foot forward as
she afterward remarked to her husband.
Jack was plainly in the sulks.
On and on they went. The lights of
the post were out of sight now, and the
horses had settled down into rapid,
steady trot.
For heavens sake, Mr.. Jack, say
something, if it's only a growll' pleaded
Mrs. Retlaw.
And Jack, turning toward her, said:
We're such good friends, Mrs. Ret
law. you'll forgive my stupidity to-
night, won't you? I've got the blues
like the Old Harry
Blues? Fiddlesticksl You've got
the mOpes-that's what's the matter
with you'll
Then this rather brilliant conversa-
tiOn ended.
The couple in front seemed in very
earnest conversation, and Jack could
not help hearing an occasional word.
And your decision Is finall' lie heard
Stanton ask her.
And while they dashed on, NeIlie's
reply came very distinctly to his ears:
Final, Mr.. Stanton; and now please
let the matter DROP
All further conversation was stopped,
however, by jackson, who leaning over