Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1889-09-11

Rogers, he said.
John Rogers flushed. He opened his
mouth and tightly closed his lips to
check the first words that had come.
He frowned little. then
You can do something for me. but
You viii not like to do it, Somery'
'Well?' said the other
It's the old grievance-that boy,
Walter Player. If you'I let me do ii
IN find him a good place, where he'll
get looked after and well paid
'Ahl' Somery sighed and looked un-
easy; you see l took him as charge
poor Townsend asked it of me-
I've told you before Rogers said
lmpatiently, In your place l would not
have accepted such a charge. The
man died before his letter reached you.
There had been no pledge given on his
side-even if 1t were your friends son
L could understand it; but the son of
hiss cousin. a fellow you know nothing
about You must excuse me, but il is
quiXotic piece of folly
He spoke roughly and turned again
TO the window. Perhaps he did not
care TO have his looks noticed while he
said:
He's no fit company for Miss Lucy;
he's a handsome loafer; that's what he
is
Somery smiled and closed his eyes,
but he looked grave again when his
friend turned round To the table.
Where did you think of placing the
had. Rogers?'
In Australia, with a man I've
known from a boy. He'd get plenty OF
work, plenty of food and thirty shillings
a week. II would be the making of the
fellow Ro- -ers answered roughly.
The pond in the pig-yard was frozen
over, and the draggled ducks could only
paddle among the blackened straw,
less happy than some cocks and hens
that were amusing themselves on the
dung heap at the farther end of the
yard.
Lucy's pale face had become rosy in
the cold, nipplng air, and this tint
deepened when she reached the half
open barn door.
Walter she SAID in a loud voice,
are you there?'
A lad came out so quickly that she
started back in surprise.
Il thought you were at the farther
end she laughed, and then they stood
looking at one another. Walter was
hardly any taller than she was aud III
some ways lie was very like her, though
his hair was yellow and shining instead
of being dark red anI his fair skin was
more sunburt, but his eyes Were as
blue as Miss SomeTy's were. Looking
at tie two it seemed that she ought to
have been the man and Walter the
woman, he looked 50 weak and gentle,
while she looked calm and strong.
When Lucy spoke, however, she seemed
shy of her companion
VIII you please 90 and see who has
Gomer' she said; lie came on horse
s,ssk, Sc you can tel withOdt going in;
think it is Mr.. Rogers
Walters handsome face became
sulky. He moved slowly across the
yard; then he came back.
You want to know, l suppose, 50
that you may go in and see him?'
The girl looked sorTowful at his
mOcking tone.
That is not likely, and you know it.;
l came here
Walter smiled; he drew nearer, but
she turned away.
Please make haste, she said; Il have
dark directly
III NACSoSN Sht lir tlAAAs anu opening
the gate, went through the farmyard
TO the house.
Lucy did not wait for his return. 1t
occurred to her that Mr.. Rogers might
come out by the back way to look for
her, and she passed out into the lane,
which took a sudden bend towards the
village in the opposite direction from
the pIg-yard.
Mrs Jakes' cottage was up turn
ing on the left. 1t had only three
rooms, but it looked neat; the green
spikes of crocus and snowdrops already
Peeped through the brown mould of the
garden, and between window and door
the wall glOwed with scarlet berries.
Mrs. Jakes had been an humble
friend of Mrs. Somery's, and Lucy
often went to see her and listen to her
stories.
To-day the patient. faced old woman
felt that her visitor was absorbed by
some thoughts of her own, and she was
too sympathetic to go on with her talk.
She peered into the girls face.
Are you well, dear, OF is there
something troubling your
Lucy smiled.
No, Oil no; I'm afraid have been
thAA " GIL. II lldht UP lOl II hfAl
time. 1t Is getting dark, and you know
father can't bear me to be out late, he's
SO careful of me-
She kissed the old woman, and, then
nodding back at her, she walked quickly
along the fast-daTkeDing road.
She's real beauty. she IS Mrs.
Jakes stood looking after the tall,
straight girl as long as she could see
ha do h., f.E
mOre's the pity he is what he is; | wish
would send that lOating lad about his
business. Somebody viii have sad
heart out of that business
She went back TO the chair by the
fire-side.
'Eh!' she thought, IF her mother had
lived that lad would have been kept
outside, and Lucy would have taken up
with Mr.. Rogers, and had good home
of her own. Phoebe Somery would
have thought of her child before she
Succored a stranger.
Mr.. Somery had once said to his
daughter:
You may be mistress of Thordale, if
you please
This evening. as she went towards
could not be, and she could not answer
herself.
Miss Somery-Lucy-thank God,
I've found YOU
Lucy looked up and saw Mr.. Rogers.
Come back he said, hurriedly
Your father is i'll. I've sent for Dr.
Welch.'
I'LL She put her hand TO her
forehead. He was quite well when l
left him.
She went on 50 fast that Rogers had to
hurry to oyertake her.
He seemed well when | started to 60
hOrna and than 4 haarI unnpr DI.xr.,