Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1892-06-08


other 6gure made its way across the
moOrland toward Briar Lodge-a taller,
statelier figure than Herbert's. 1t was
the Coll mel himself, 1t was over TWEEN
ty years ince he had taken that walk,
anu he b ssitated now-almost afraid to
stir the slumbsring passion of his youth.
H had fought a long, hard battle, and
ii lie ha not BEEN victorious, he had at
least I. treated with flying colors. Why
should he i90pardiz3 the little that re-
manned OF his future for t3e sake of
Herbert'j happiness? The thoughtless
boy might be grateful to him for an
hour, aud then he would live his life
alone; for Madellne'5 daughter should
not haunt hum always with her pres
ence. That would be too much. AT
fifty, when the sun Of youth is forever
set, and the twilight shadows creep on
apace, he should have peace, undiSUrb-
ed by the gnawiDg of pain which he
thought dead.
But as he strobe along, his fine figure
alert with graceful, easy motion, and
an eager look in his DARK eyes, one
might almost have fancled that the
years which had silyered his hair had
done 10 further damage. And he was
ing with the old impatient throb, as
he trayersed the well remembered
path
The sun had vanished behind the
hill, leaving misty pink trail when at
last Colonel OveIton passed up the
| pretty walk wh'ch Led to Briar Lodge.
How strangely familiar everything
looked without. The garden still pre-
| I,a fri ia
was admitted he noticed at on g the
subtle change that pervaded each nook
and corner.
a blazing log fire cast grotesq"e
lights over the room into which Colonel
| Oyerten was ushered, and be stood on
the hearth preparing himself fer an IN
| terview which would surely be a pain
full one to both
How would she meet him2 With the
same unembarrassed coldness that had
so often wounded him? His coDjectures
came TO a sudden halt, for Madeline
had entered quietly, aud now stood be-
| fore him with outstretched hand and a
faint s uile lowering on lips which
trembled in spite OF all her efforts.
''You are welcome, Greville," she
said, using unconsciously the familiar
name. and as the Colonel took her hand
and looked into the sweet, una!tered
face. he felt strange, wild impulse TO
take her in his arms and forget the in
tervenIng years.
| Somewhat at the sight of him a crowd
of tender memories swept ever the
sleepln9 heart of Madeline Wears. A
, feeling deeper than friendship made the
blo- d mo mt slowly into her cheek.
She withdrew her hand from his grasp,
and said in a low, hurria I'd voic., 'I-I
will ring for lights. 1t is very gloomy
here"
quickly: 81 will not detain you long.
Surely, affer all these years, you can
not eny me few moments"
| 81 lave never done that
"True,n he interrupted. st was
voluntary bauish nent. was afraid to
! come here, Madeline. am afraid to
be here now, but that necessity forces
me-"
81 sneak of your daughter and my
nephew, who have most unfortunately
formed AN attachment for each other"
"Unfor unatelyP"
| Eyes, l say unfortunately, ior yos
know from experience how it may end.
T cannot allow Herbert's life to be
wsstei as mine was. He Is young,
smbitious and clever. L have great
hopes of him an. NJ. v,ola-s.s
beautifuI eyes. "You are hard" she
,o,,rmured. 81 thought thought
sne ~ e. paused. "Mildred's happiness is
sne snen dearer to me. She loves your
nsnhew n truly, and perhaps, Greville,
their marriage msy-msy bridge over