Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1889-12-04


lay her charm. When she exercised
her destinations men bowed before her
first from necessity, then from choice.
But though her victims were count
less, she was twenty-four and Dorothy
Viner still. However, this time she
had encountered (her little said) a foe
man worthy of her steel. What she was
among men, Jerome Fleetwell was
among women. Therefore, seeing these
two brought beneath the same roof and
thrown into daily intercourse, rumor
was rife and speculation v allied results
with bated breath. Meanwhile the
little boat foated calmly on the surface
of the lake
Miss Viner-Dorothyl'
1t was the first word either had ut
tered in full ten minutes. She looked
quickly up at the speaker. The white
knit scarf thrown carelessly upon her
dark hair, out from which peered the
beautiful pale face, lent her some of
the moons mystic charm, but meeting
the earnest gaze of the dark, magnetic
eyes bent upon her, hers fell for an in
slant. Then, as though ashamed of
the momentary weakness. again shot
questioning look into Lieutenant Fleet
wells face.
Miss Viner," he repe ated, calmly,
did you know we were in danger?''
I'm danger?''
The dreamy look faded from her face,
the color deserted her cheeks. and.
shiyering heavily, she glanced up at the
| blue vault where sailed so majestically
the goddess of night, down into the
| dark depths of the waters, only to see
the moons brilliancy reflected there,
around, about her. All was peaceful
L. l.,
mot from any of these. The moon,
| the wind, the waterfall are our friends
tonight. We are in danger from each
| other"
Oh, how she prayed the moon might
fail to make apparent the instant flush
ing of blood to her cheek. She felt it
| glow like a warm crimson rose, even
while She raised her little head almost
defiantly, as though to hurl challenge
at his audacity. Men had made love to
her in many forms, but always as sup
plicants. This man dared to suppose
her in equal danger with himself.
You deal in riddles, Lieutenant
Fleetwell," she returned coldly. 81
am accustomed to plain speech.
''Rather say that plain speech is to
you an unknown tongue, and that am
the first man who has dared to speak
frankly. Would you have me speak
palmer still? You shall have your
wish. A week longer under the same
| roof with you. a week more of exposure
to your fascinatIons, and my ship
would go to wreck and ruin on the bar;
unless''-he leaned nearer, his voice
grew softer, more full of tender feeling,
and his hand fell on hers very lightly,
but with caressing grace - ''unless,
Dorothy, you would let it float your
pennon and guide ii into the safe har-
bor of your love"
She had been wooed many timer. in
many climes, by many men, but moth
ing had ever moved her as this wooing
on this moonlight night in October.
Yet this SOldler-thiS man-dared to
tell her that in another week this all
might come to pass.
Others had sworn 10 go from her
presence to put an end to the existence
she had rendered miserable, or had
vowed that henceforth woman's smile
would be gall and wormwood, OF
pleaded that she had shorn their man.
hood of its strength and rendered their
life burden.
This one did none of these things.
While his strength yet was his he saw
and met the danger.
"a week hence, - she said to herself,
bitterly, land the flame might SINCE
him. Now his wings are all unscorched.
He does not say: L love youp In
time L might love you'll Was he then
to win SO easy victory? Never"
'Let us 60 home" she interrupted,
in a constrained voice. sit is growing
chilly.''
Dorothy, is this my answer?"
| ssN anEuarrs, with a0gunptiOu
of surprise. 81 was not aware of any
question"
"You shall not have even this excuse.
VIII you be my wife?"
His voice was harsh and stern, and
his grasp tightened on her hand
"You hurt me, Lieutenant Fleet
WE'LL" she complained, petulantly,
making an effort 10 withdraw her fin
Gers.
Instantly he released her.
81 see that L hurt you," he returned,
courteously, and took up the oars.
pardon me-" he continued, II Will
not do it ever again.
A few bold strokes and the boat:
keel grated on the shore. Ten minute:
later the two reappeared in Mrs. Hurl'
toms beautifully appointed salon. Or
the parterre beyond shone the red light
from a mans cigar. 1t was still there
still cleaning when she had gone up tC
her own room. She crossed TO the win
dow 10 pull down the shade, but stood
a moment, fascinated, motionless.
after tonight he will forget me, y
she murmured, sadly. And II shall
remember him-foreyerl"
Then, as though a sudden truth had
burst upon her, she drew down The
shade to throw hers elf with a quick
impetuous motion prone upon her couct
and weep the first heart tears she haC
ever shed.
sit is all over-Miss Viner has re
fused him." This was the general yer
dict when twenty-four hours later Je
rome Fleetwell bade his friends adleu
and withdrew to town on plea OF sud
den business.
The news sooa reached Dorothy'i
ears. 81 have not refused him." she
said aloud; mot even that satisfaction
Is mine" she said TO herself-''nor evel
VIII bel 1t was only the might have
| been -
lie was not a man, she knew ful
well, to plunge desperately into hirta
tion, or associate his name at onct
with another woman's, or to retire late
or rise earlier or In any way disturb th'
even tenor of his way The ditfert nee
between them was only this-his hear
was healing, perhaps already healed
but be would bear its scar to the grave
hers was fostering sore, which hur
the more that she had let the physician
WHO might work its cure pass her by.
The summer waneS to a Close Au
tumn had touched the mountain and
. hi side into glorious beauty of brown
, and red. Then came winters tagging
footsteps, mercifully bearing the exqui
site white shroud of snow to cover VI