Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1889-09-11
HOW HE MADE HER LOVE HIM.

There had been mist all day. 1t had
completely euwrapped the farmhouse
and the piG-yard, and il brooded over
the outlayiug waste that girled Low
Edge. At O'Clock Lucy Somery,
peering through corner free from the
ice glazing which obscured the other
pans OF glass, saw the fine work that
mad Deen gong on under the white
veil The yei!ed sun was having a
struggle with the remaining mist; now
and then gleam got free and indi-
Gated that before long the sun might
hold his own against the misty veil.
The red bull looked as if he felt the
cold; Lucy shiyered, and turning from
the window stirred the tire on the open
hearth; then she went to box below
tie side ''oard, and taking up log, cast
il on the ire.
En-, what? What Is it, nv lass?'
\ prOdigiOus yarn, and then Farmer
SOInery sat upright and looked about
him.
lie was tall man, but his neck was
short, and therefore his fiesh-colored
face. s it'll its framing of black hair,
only here and there touched with gray.
seemed, ;ts he sat, u sink forward on
ms chest lie had broad shoulders and
strong hands, and Yet his face gave an
impress on of weakness.
What Is II?' he asked again.
Lucy smiled.
1 only put iog on the fire and 1t
walked you As you are awake, father,
perhaps you'll tell me what it is you
want me to know
She seated herself on the wooden
settee beside the hearth Lucy was
very tail; she moved perhaps trifie
stiffiy, but sitting as she did now, still,
and III a listening attitude, she looked
a grand woman. a young Juno, with
broad white forehead and blue, kindling
eyes.
We'll, lass, 1t is soon sald-can you
manage without Peggy? I'm not sure
that he hesitated and one more fin
gered his waisrcoat kutton-'that I'VE
. have any call TO a hep at Low Edge ,
Lucy was still looking into the fire,
and to ali appearance she saw some
thing pleasant III it. Gladness shone
in Ler eyes, and The smile tIaJ curved
her lips made them lovely, but she did
not let her father share this Joyful
feeling; she bent s'fiI closer over the
hand she was tOastIIg
'Well?' he said l." patiently, you're
not taking il to heart, child, are you?
1t mayn't he for long, and I'll take al!
off you l can
Lucy got up abruptly, but she did
not turn round.
Pm very glad father she said, as
If sue was III a hurry to get her words
out. 'Ieggy's been more than tiTeSOme
lately, and Walter Will do all that's
hard for me without grudging.'
-.
sat upright, aud looked more decided
than he could have expected TO look.
No, lass, not that; III do it myself.
l don't care 10 put more on Walter.
The lad has plenty 10 do if he does it
thoroughly. Maybe he's too fond of
indoor Jobs, for he's not learned much
in SIX months of what he's kept to do. >
He suddenly changed his tone TO one of
apology, though Lucy had stood still
without so niue as turning her head.
There, don't want To blame him, but
Il you need help, mind, Pm ready to
give it, Lucy
Thank you, father
She moved forward to the end of the
room that looked ON the faTmyard,
behind MT. SOmel Us chair. She paused
and gazed out of the window again in
listless, Undecided way; her arms
hung Imply beside her, and her head
was bent forward.
All at once she raised it, listening to
a sound outside. a horse WAS coming
up the road; ii stopped, and Lucy i'll
stantly opened the oak door of the
room and slipped out so quietly that
her father did not notice her de- Irture.
a man CAME in, bringing blast of
cold air from the entrance passage,
his hearty manner and kindly express
sion seeming to protest against the
chilly air.
a happy New Year to you, neigh
boT.'
He shook hands with Somery. who
advanced a step to meet him.
Better late than never, but Pm only
now home again. I've done as L said.
I've been to London since / saw you
'Eh, have you so?' Somery smiled
uneasily. There was a timid expecting
look in his eyes
Yes the visitor spoke cheerfully, as
he seated himself and pulled a huge
over-hlled pocket-oook from tie front
of his great coat. Il have had the
papers made out and I've got the need
ful. Your signature is all that Is
needed, old friend.
SOneIg ) upS QulNered. lie put out
his hand and warmly shook the other
mans.
You are something like a friend,
JOIN Rogers he said. You don't
know how near L was to
He checked himself and looked tim
idly over his shoulder
Lucy, child, here's Mr.. Rogers.
Why, where's the lass gone? She was
here a minute ago.
Rogers turned to the farther window.
Lucy was crossing the yard. The
grave-faced, sturdy-looking man sighed
as he watched her; then he went back
to his seat opposite the farmer.
Mss Somery has Just crossed the
yard IN her hat and cloak
SOmeTy looked at him There was a
sharp contrast between the two faces.
Lucy's father had married young, but
he WAS older than John Rogers, and he
was handsomer- The younger man had
good features, but his eyes, though
large and thoughtful, were of too light
a gray to suit well with his dark skin
and brown hair. Still he was more re-
maTkable looking than Somery, from
the strength and decision of his expires
sion. When the signature had been