Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1889-06-12

you, had sense enough to conduct you
to the right apartment
'Ah, just so! And your father?'
oh, papa's idea was that we were
| to be troubled with a great hobbledehoy
who would eat enormously, and-and-
We'll. Mis- Kemp, and
Victoria colored, and looked q little
con used.
1T was only some of papa's nonsense;
and, unless you insist
Il insist said he mischievously,
looking full into her eyes.
We'll, then, papa thought you might
make love to the maids
Sydney Cheyilstone frowned for !
moment, and then laughed aloud.
Il am honored, l am surel But
listen, victoria
This was the first time he had ever
called her by her Christian name, and
though, with instructive subtlety, she
knew perfectly well what was coming,
and not too well what her reply would
be, all her woman's modesty rushed TO
her aid, and she said, as if she had only
then become aware of the fact
What a distance we have strayed
from our party, Mr.. Cheyilstonel Had
we not better return?'
Not Yet, l think he answered, IN a
very tender but firm tone that she felt
powerless 10 resist.
However, she made one more effort
to escape hearing the words she wished
to hear; so she looked at her watch.
and said
Past fvel We really must return
and see the sun set over Woodlands;
IL IS a lovely estate, and almost adjoins
papa's. 1t is quite a site TO see the last
rays of the sun on that magnificent
range of copper-beeches.
Fhe young man smiled a curious
smile.
You admire Woodlands, then, Vic
toria?'
Again 'Victoria,' This time the hot
blood dyed her cheek and brow.
oh, yes, of course L do. anybody
would Its owner died only year ago,
and paper knew him well. We often
visited there. 1t Is a most lovely place
You do not know Its present owner
then?'
No; he has not yet taken possession.
All we know Is that he is gentleman
who has lived much abroad. / dare
say we shall become acquainted with
him some day.
L dare say you will.
NO doubt he is some crusty old
nabob with a worn-out liver, who lives
on curries and mulligatawny soup, and
throws the dishes at the heads of his
black servants.
No doubt he is
Blu, then, one must be civil TO next
door neighbors, you know
oh, of course. Good breeding en-
joins that. But L do not fancy the new
owner of Woodlands will be such an
ogre as you imagine
why notP'
Possibly have the honor of his
acquaintance
'You?' and Victoria looked up at
him with unfeigned surprise
What Is there so extraordinary In
thatp' asked lie, laughing.
You do know the owner of Wood
lands thenl'
He stands before yOu.'
Victoria Kemp's surprise was SO
great she could not utter word
Listen, Victoria, dearest SAID the
young man, taking both her hands.
You and your father have been the
victims Of plot
~ plot!' exclaimed the young lady;
but she did not withdraw her hauds.
Yes, but before | tell you about it,
| wish to ask You one question. We
are neither of us children. We are
neither of US, think, likely to express
our feelings In many words. You must
have seen that love you. Victoria,
will you be my wife?'
1t WAS "A straightforward wooing in
deedl No protesta' iOns-nOt a single
unnecessary wordI How different from
the general run of lovers. But Victoria
understood the straightforward, manly
mature of Sydney Chevilstone; she ad-
mired his character and she loved him.
50 she simply answered
Yes
lie put his arm around her, and
kissel her passionately.
But about the plot, Sydneyl' asked
Victoria after brief interval.
on, yes! Well, then, that letter
WAS concOcted expressly to deceive your
self and the colonel
'Ohi'
Yes, dearest, the medical adviser
who recommended me TO pass two years
in Eu!o ope was 10 other than myself.
l was surgeon 10 the -th, as any army
list would have shown the colonel had
he consulted IT.
To think we should have been de-
csived.'
Yes; you fell into the trap easily.
Bat, you see, this was it. The late
owner of Woodlands, who, as you,
know, had neither kith nor kin, was
my godfather; and at his death he be-
queathed the estate and large sum of
money in the Funds TO myself OF
course upon this 1 determined 10 quit
the army. Whilst my father and i
were making inquiries about my new
property, It oozed out that the owner
of the adjoinging estate. the Beeches,
was no other than Colonel Kemp, nv
fathers old comrade in arms
Well, though my father and yours
had not seen each other for some years,
they had occasionally correspondent;
and so. when my matchmaking sire
heard that Colonel Kemp had an only
child-a daughter-he proposed a very
little scheme. 1t was neither more nor
less than TO join the two estates
1t was very impertinent!' said Vic
toria, trying to appear angry.
1t was, L owe-'
And l have 4 great mind to retract
what have said, she added with a
charming smile.
'Ah, l am not afraid But listen.
OF course my father and l thought that
if l announced myself as a man l
should not be received at the Beeches
as a permanent inmate. but if we 50
worded the letter as to leave it in
doubt"
Yes, yes; you knew that, once our
guest, We should not be so rude as TO
turn you OUT
That's just 1t. And now you Will
forgive me, Victoria
For what?'
For having descended to subterfuge
unworthy OF a gentleman
She looked up at him her brown eyes