Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1892-06-08
TOLD In THE q TWILIGHT.
BY BELLE MOSES

Miles around Briar ledge the snow
lay heaped, deeper there than about
tn" other villas, which were built upon
elevated ground, while Briar Lodge
nestled in a hollow. But if the two L.
mates of this abode were snow-bourd,
that fact troubled them little. They
were all in all to each other, tins
mother and daughter, whose king lom
was their home, So they nd Tcrd
to Laugh at the yagAries OF the wealth
eT,
They were very companionable; for
whether through the influence of Mil
dTed Wears healthful flo v If spirl s,
or the still unquenched fire of the
mothers youth, the years had passed
lightly over the older woman's heal.
Her figure still Tetaine its graceful out
lines, her soft skin was unwIinkled her
glossy black hair scarcely showed a
silver thread. 4 woman, one could
see, who had carefully husbanded the
best years Of her life, so now at the
harvest time there were no diSIppOint-
ing tares among the golden grain.
The mother was IN the fuliness and
perfection of maturity, and the
daughter i'll that sweet first glow
of youth II fair of face and Joyous by
nature as girl Of nineteen should
be.
Briar Lodge was fitting bower for
two such charming women. 1t was the
home of Mrs. Wears girlhood,
where, as Madeline Hunt, she had
made it the most attractive place on
the hillside.
The Prince came at last, invaded
BTiar Lodge and took Madeline cap
tive; but he did In the flush of happi-
ness. Little Mildred gave warmth to
her mothers life, urging her to cast
of the blighting influence of her sor-
row; and MadelI Ie's nature blOssomed
afIesb, all t. better and strong for
its crucial test. Though many of the
old sUitOrs agsin surrounieG her, the
beautiful, lonely woman only tw.ne1 her
affections more closely about her little
daughter.
After a longer stay tran usual, the
snow WAS beginning to melt, and one
bright afternoon Mildred Wears armed
herself with light snow shovel, and
sailed forth to aid tue sun in his work.
From beneath her iaunty sesl-skin cap
her bright face glowed With the stirring
6AtIClSt, anu SldlCucS VI sOli- lOoC ~
her lips, floating on the clear thin air
down amrng the frozen hollows and
out upon the broad stretch of moor
land. Her eyes were often turned In
this direc tion, until certain dark spot
on the horizon took a more definite
shape. Then the color de opened in her
cheeks, and she bent to her voluntary
labor as if her daily bread depended
and the
hurrying figure of a Young man, whose
steps were bearing directly down upon
Briar Lodge. Reaching the prickly
hedge he called softly:
"Mildredl Nil lredl''
The girl dropped her shovel and
turEed quickly around, meeting pair
of ardent eyes that Caused her own to
fall In some confusion.
IL am glad to see you home, Her
bert. When did you aTriVeP As she
spoke she came slowly up to the hedge
that divided them, ard reached cveI
her little gloved hand in greeting
to the newcomer, who caught 1t up and
kissei it passIonately before he released
1t.
Didn't you know was coming to-
dayY" he asked reproachfully. 81 an
yum CApCSOCN AhS
swer me truly. 1 cannot believe thai
you have forgotten"
"Forg ottenl oh, no" returned Nil
dred quickly. 1 thought imagined
we'll, if you must have it-I did looB
for you to-day"
Herbert Overt on's face grew radi-
ant.
sTIIave YOU no warmer welcome Tor
S,f he .aSEQf
ter a vain attempt to repCsses5 hiu.sel'
OF her hand, across the intervening OAR
Iier.
YES she ventured slowly, sand
mother says you may stay to tie. II you
like"
There was a tremor in the soft voice:
but Mildred shot roguish look at hlu
from under her long lashes, and Tue
young man waited for no second pld'
ding. Another moment and he was De
siuC her, grasplng both her HANDS, anu
try:ng TO read the pretty downcas'
face.
"What am to understand by this,
MildredP" he demanded In low, eager
tone.
She did not withdraw her hands, out
with an impulsive move nent she nest
led closer to his side, and answt red al
most in a whisper: "Whateyer yor
wish dear Herbet.''
Then they lost sight of tlme and pace
and fell to planning their future, as
cay happy lovers can.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Wears sat alone
Sith her thoughts, marveling as the
sort AFTERNOON wore or, a the lntri-
ia'e viewing of circumstances which
Lad brought these young people TO-
y her. She was thankful that 1t Waf
so, for it partly effa'ed an act OF her
own which had cost her many a bitter
pang of self-reproach.
She had once been engaged to Co.one
OVerton, Herbert's uncle and guar
dian but with the dawn of her love
tor Ashley Wears she felt that q
could no longer keep her promise. He
released her-it Was all he could do