Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1891-08-19
THE OLD MAN OF THE SEA. "
CHAPTER /.

1t was a disorderly school but
then, a. an austere lady, DIR. Alexan-
der WhItuker's second wife, the mother
Of four unruly Juveniles, and the au-
tocrat Of SOuthtield Manor, often de-
clared, Miss Fame was incapable of
maintaining discipline. Certainly Just
then Muriel Fane's thoughts were far
away from the educational surround
ngs, and, taking advantage of the
girls abstraction, her pupils were doing
much as they liked.
One little girl meandered up and
down the piano at her own sweet will;
another was making a roulette of the
celestial globe; a small brother was
openly counting his marbles; and, en-
trenched behind his desk, armed with
a toy gun, u youthful sharpshOoter
was firing recklessly at friend or
foe.
Muriel was oblivious of all this. She
40 more saw it than the fair landscape
before her, which lay under the sunny
brightness of a spring day. For March
had almo t clustered throughits course,
and was going out in orthodox and
lamb-like fashion. A fair and winsome
face was clOuded. Something was glIs-
tening in pair of mournful eyes, and
some sad thoughts found vent in O
weary sigh.
TOy-guns have their uses. With
not unnatural start. as a pellet whIzzed
very near the prettiest little nose in all
the west country, the owner of that nose
came back to the realities of life. She
saw riheman trying to hide his weapon
and to coniure up look of preternat-
ural innocence, and Muriel spoke:
philip, bring that to me.
There was no sign of obedience. The
gIrl had risen to her feet, and with an
indignant flush on her face, the light
of battle In her grey eyes, she charged
down upon the rebel, and then she was
marching back with the trophies of
war, followed by an audible grumble
from the vanquished:
II don't care / know who gave it
to me. That's ALI.
at is not the least consequence
The color in Muriel Fanes cheek WAS
brighter, for there was evaporation, al
most a threat, IN the childish imperti-
neEce. "You shall not have it again
for a week, not for a month";" with grim
determination. 81 don't care whose
gift it was.
Eyes, you do, though" was the una
Dashed retort, ''and you won't be here
to keep 1t from me. 1t was Brother
Paul, and mamma is sending you
away because you are in love with
him"
"Silence, Philipl Do you dare?"
There was further eXasperatlon in the
sneer. The tormentor's cheek was in
yitingly near, and not unnaturally u
whilom gentle hand was uplifting it
self. when another voice broke in, and
so sternly that sheer astonishment sub
dued Master Philip, who was conscious
of an irresistible force urging him to
the door.
"You hardened little wretchl Make
yourself scarce Vanishl"
Tie offender was already outside,
and, obeying mute signal, the Others
followed, leaving Brother Paul and
Muriel alone.
Dearest one, what was the brat
talking about?" The doctors son was
standing by her, looking down upon
her troubled face with startled won
der III his own. "You leaving us?"
"Has not my employer mentioned
it?' with hard bitterness. 81 sup
pose not. 1t is a mere matter of de-
tail-too trivial, possibly. Governesses
are dismissed every day. This one has
to seek another situation at once"
Dismissed What for? You shall
not go. Why has my gentle stepmother
done this?"
"The esteemed lady is not forced to
give reasons for discharging servant.
She is the ruler here, subject of course,
to Mr. Lemuel Wash and his familiar
spirits, with smile that was half a
frown.
Hang Mr.. l.emueI Wash and his
spirits toor' The young mans ire
blazed out at the name. Everything
has gone wrong since his ugly face
came into this house, and long to kick
him ont"
'1t is credi able impulse, and |
should rather like to see the process.
The wish was foreign to Muriel's usu-
ally gentle nature, and the frown deep
ened as she said in earnest: paul, is
that-that wretched man to stay for
ever IN house where he is destested by
all?"
THAT, like the great good Lemuel
himself and all the spirits about which
he drivels, Is a mystery. 1 wish we
had never seen him, or Aunt Julia's |
money either. The dear old pater was |
happy enough as country doctor be-
fore 1t came to us-that is, if it did |
come"
Paul's face had grown dark and |
gloomy at the thought, which framed |
itself in dark saying;
''Muriel, do you believe in magic? |
Can this fellow have bewitched my |
father and all of us? Do not smile. |
Remember, he was Aunt Julia's friend; |
and Aunt Julia disliked her one brother |
as much as she disliked all the rest of |
the world. She never intended to leave |
my father anything. She would have |
made "A hundred wills unless she could |
leave a Madison with her money"
II wish some one would leave me |
tour thousand year, either with or
without madison, put in Muriel
81 don't know, said Paul doubtfully. |
Not If it Is to be accompanied by
yellow-faced hypocrite who bewitches
people. Remember how he turned up
SIX months ago. 1t was proper witches
#eather-thunder, lightning, hail, and |
rain-and. like Sindbsd's Old Man of