Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1889-08-07

our summer resorts. She pleased his
fancy, and he was determined to win
her at all hazards. He was of short
statue, fair complexion, and ietty locks.
Gentlelnanly IN his bearing, and eI-
emplary in all his dealings. Mrs. Eich-
ton was favorably impressed with his
prepossessing appearance, the first visit
he made Nina; and made no objection
Wien he asked her perm 'Ssion to visit
her daughter. Every girl In the neigh
OoThood envied the one, who, in the
future, was doomed to drink sorrow IS
bitterest draught. Perhaps If they
could have lifted the veil OF fate and
seen the thorny path Nina had to tread
their enviOus feeling would soon have
died out; but not so, no one suspected
that a cloud would ever obscure her
now bright sky. Two years passed
rapidly; yes, they were years of loves
brightest painting, to Nina. In this
period Mrs. Eichton had studied care
fully the character of Samuel Burteau
She had detected no flaw in his princi-
pl e, and thif rendered 1t more easy for
her to give her daughter to the keeping
Of Samuel, whom she believed would
guard the gift as a sacred treasure.
These two young hearts that had
seemed so long TO beat as one, were
cemented by right of law, in October,
IS. To Nina the world seemed ten
fold lovelier. How small human capa-
city seemed for enjoyment, and She
fervently prayed that her powers might
be expanded.
When Samuel proposed to Mrs. Eich-
ton 10 take his wife to New York, Mrs
EIchton bitterly opposed the PROPOSE
tiOn- She used every argument to
persuade them TO remain with her,
Offering TO give him control of the
farm. Finally he consented TO remain.
Everything went on swimmingly.
Indeed, life at Elkwood seemed like a
fairy tale On a lovely May morning
a little blue eyed girl appeared to add
TO the happiness of this devoted pair.
The little one, whom they called Wis
sic, grew more lovely every day, and
they cherished high hopes for her fu-
ture. Rea ed III the city, Mr.. Burteau
was no. skilled in farming, but he
liked the exercise of overseeing the
hands, and riding round the farm.
Took great delight in shooting squirrel,
with which his forest abounded, but
never tried to coax his soft white hands
to lay hold of the plow-his taste did
A4bS III III budl NOL DcluS
properly managed, the farm scarcely
produced more than enough to meet
expenses, but this no one knew but
himself There was no trace of cloud
about his brow, the same happy smile
greeted everyone. Nina's wishes We're
anticipated and gratifed, and she was
very happy, being ignorant of the
heavy mortgage that hung over the
farm.
Coming in from riding one evening
he sat down To supper, which had been
awaiting him a short time, and i'll
course of conversation, which Mr.. Bur
teau always tried to make pleasant at
meals, he suddenly exclaimed: "By the
way, Nina, L am thinking of going to
New York Tomorrow"
"What for?" quickly queried the
surprised wife, cold shiver passing
through her frame.
81 have some important business to
attend to. l will be back In a few
days. l suppose my wardrobe is in
readiness; 1 shall only take a small
valise: will you pack it for me, dar-
ling?''
Tomorrow dawned bright and beau
tiful, but Nina's feelings were not IN
harmony with the weather; a feeling of
utter wretchedneSS possessed her while
packing the vali=e. She had never been
separated a day since their marriage,
and the thought OF his leaving her for a
short time was trial almost too great
for her delicate constitution. ''I will
try to be gay" she said 10 herself, "for
Samuel Will say l am weak and baby
Ish,' and saying tins she assumed a
SMILE habitual TO her countenance. The
wOrk of packing was finished, and by
ten O'Clock SaRuel had kissed his wife
and little ones and was off tor the boat.
Ninl watched his retreating form TIL
the grove of sugar maple hid h,m from
view. Turn which way she would a
preSentiment that forboded evil preyed
upon her spirits.
She struggled hard TO dissipate this
gloom. and determined to live upon the
sweep anticipation of hearing from her
hearts idol. In due time the eagerly
expected letter came, full of affection
and tenderness, but saying that owing
10 unexpected hind rance his return
would be delayed. Time flew by with
lightning speed.
Letters came less frequently, and
finally ceased altogether. Can you
appreciate, reader, the anguish OF one
thus fOrsaken?
Nina was loath to give him up, or to
believe the reports that were rife, in the
nelghborhOod, that he is bIsking in the
smiles OF his first wife.
HE is not falsel he is not falsel He
will come to me again she would fire.
quently eXclaim, and then press her
hands upon her throbblng heart and
strive 10 calm her feelings. Before this
time, Nina had been correctly informed
of their financial difficulty. There was
no one TO whom she could appeal for
pecuniaTy aid, and so the farm had TO
go to the highest bidder. II was shortly
after this sad circumstance that we
found Mrs. EichtOn and Nina Burteau
in Grafton Cottage sewing for Mrs.
Belmont.
Five long years had rolled by without
the least hope of amelioratIon in her
circumstances. Maxwell Haggett was
still kind, and his infatuation for Nina
deepened gradually. Mrs. Kellonne
was now the only one of Mrs. Eichton >
former friends that would recognize
either mother or daughter in their
present degraded position. Mrs. X.
gave her all the sewing that she could
eonyen emily pay for, and Influenced
her husband to give Maxwell Haggett
work on the farm, and by this means
the wolf was kept from the door.
CHAPTER III.
1t was on Friday night that Mr..
Haggett sat by the dull autumn fire
with his face buried in his hands, as If
something weighed heavily upon his
mind. Nina quickly inquired if lie was
sick. Glancing around the room to see
where Mrs. Eichton was, and finding
her absent he replied:
II don't feel exactly comfortable,
for when ] was out to Ben Swans
store this afternoon, old Bill Halter
took me out and told me that 1 had