Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1890-09-10
A Natural Mistake.
J. FABEREGAs.

Roxle Harrison pretty piquaut face
was contracted with anger and her
dark eyes flashed ominously. She was
very angry as one could have seen at q
glance and very unhappy as well as angry
down In the depths of her heart, al
though she would not have owned up to
her unhsppiness for worlds. And she
had expected to be so happy to-day at
the picnic to which she had been look
ing forward for weeks.
Only ten minutes ago she had been
happy. radiantly happy, and now she
wondered in the d pths of her misera-
BILE little heart hu she could ever be
glad again.
What had done all the mischief?
Handsome Will Hammond had escorted
her to the top of the glen, had spread
his light overcoat down on the soft
leaves for a seat for her, and had gone
down to get the luncheon basket which
they had forgotten.
And Roxie sitting there alone had
spied the corner of an envelope peep
ing out from a pocket of the grey
coat, and spice of irresistible Curl
osity had prompted her to draw it out
and glance at the superscription.
"Will"
That was all, written In a delicate
feminine hand, but it was enough to
rouse Roxie's jealousy.
Who was this woman who was init
mate enough with her betrothed lover
to address a note to him in this famil-
lar fashion.
Roxie turned the envelope over. 1t
was unsealed and, though she hesi
tated for moment, her curiosity over
came her sense of honor and she drew
the missive forth.
Darling Will"
Roxie's eyes fairly blazed
when can l see you again? 1t is
ages since you and have had a real good
time together, for it has seemed as If we
were fated to have houseful of COM
pany every time you called. 1 know
you were vexed at me the last time and
thought it was my fault, but indeed it
wasn't. If our engagement Was an
nounced, people would understand and
l could act differently, but, as it is, 1
have to treat you like other company
when any one else is around. It's all
your own fault you dear silly boy, SO
don't blame me, but come TO see me
soon. Always your Bella.
"How dare she, cried Roxie, culver
ing from head to foot as she thrust the
tell tale letter back INTO the pocket of
the overcoat.
Womanlike, her first wrath was Wis
tied upon the woman in fault, then her
indignation fell upon her lover who
had proved himself SO base and un-
faithful.
II hate him, she muttered, clench-
ing her tiny fist, as she recalled his
words and looks of love. 81 hate and
despise him, I'll never speak to him
again. Never"
She heard the footsteps of her recre-
ant lover approaching, and springing
to her feet, she rushed in the opposite
direction as rapidly as she could.
He called her but she was silent, then
after moments delay he went down
the glen again.
81 will go home by myself, she said,
and she began to make her way out of
the glen by an unfrequented path.
Suddenly her foot slipped and she
fell to the ground with a moan of pain.
In vain she tried to rise, and as she
flood of helpless tears.
Her ankle was sprained or broken,
she did not know which, and every
movement made her sick and dizzy
with pain.
Perhaps she would have to stay there
all night for it was not likely that any
of the party would come in that direc-
ton, and at the thought her heart
failed her.
Perhaps they would hear her if she
called, and she screamed as loudly as
she could.
A familiar voice answered her call
and to her dismay and Indignation, for
she would rather have perished alone
than have called upon her lover for aid,
she heard his firm footsteps rapidly
drawing nearer.
"My darling what is the matter7" he
cried, as he sprang toward her pros
trate form, and gathered her up ten
derly in his arms In spite of her feeble
resistance.
"Where have you been all this time?
When 1 got down the hill l found l had
carried off Will Morris's overcoat in
stead of my own, for they are just the
same color, and as he was going home
directly, L had to come back and get his
coat for him. Then, when 1 came
back with the basket, waited and
waited for your return, and WAS just
beginning to be seriously alarmed when
heard your voice. How did you hurt
yourself?"
To his surprise Roxie hid her face
on his shoulder and burst into hye-
terical mixture of sobs and laughter.
"Then that was Will Morris's coat, "
she gasped, when she could speak.
'EGes"
"Oh, Will, have been such a goose.
There was letter in the pocket di-
rected to "Will," and-oh, how can 1
tell you'll L thought it was to you, and
L was so angry L was never going to
speak to you again as long rs L lived or
breathed. / was trying to run away
from you when 1 slipped and fell
down"
"You dear foolish little girl, couldn' t
you trust me better than that?" asked
VIII, with a world of tender reproach
in his voice. will Morris is engaged
to be married, but no one knows it
because he don't want it announced
until he gets well started for himself in
business, so you mustn't mention 1t.
have good mind to scold you for
being so foolish and suspecting me of
treachery, but / will have to forgive
you this time since you have brought
such punishment upon your poor lit
tie self. Now to get you home" and
he lifted her in his strong arms as
| lightly as if she had been child.
81 know it was silly, Will, whispered
Roxie, as she hid her blushing face on
his shoulder, but you must admit ii
was a very natural mistake"
Our Feet and Our Shoes.
MRS W. A. KELLERMAS.