Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1892-05-25

NoI exacIly, admitted Barbara;
but they were so cautious / could
tell by their manner it WAS a good
deal"
"I don't know If that is altogether
criterion. These old lawyers are very
deceptive sometimes. However, you
can get that paper filled up and sent in
and would not lose any tims about 1t.
if we're yOu.'
John Grant was the next person to
whom she had to explain her non-suc-
cess.
"Just what l expected, Miss Bar
Dara,' said he, cheerfully. zone is
never sure of a chance of that kind
till one actually has it. 1 wouldn't
build upon it In your place"
You don't seem to have had for
tunate experience In that way,'' retort-
ell Barbara, ungratefully. "It is only
deferred in this case, and am in no
hurry for few days"
"Daysl" echoed John. "a man in
our office has waited years, and is likely
10 VAT, as far as can see."
M I. Stewart was another painful
thor In the path at this juncture.
barbara, my DEAR" she remarked
one day, after school was dismissed,
were you paying any attention
whatever to the practice this after
noonp"
The girl flushed scarlet.
81 was beside the plano all the time,"
she declared.
"Your body was there, but your
mind certainly was not. Now. nv
delr, you must really tndeavor to tut
this unfortunate legacy out of your
head for the present; you have bfen fit
for very little since it was first mention
ed. So far it has proved anything but
an advantage to YOU"
Ten days later came the much-looked-
for communication from Dodd Il
Son.
"We are in receipt of Miss Reeds
paper, and would assure her the mat
ter shall have our best attention."
etc.
Barbara flung 1t into her desk with a
disappointed face. 1t was tedious TO
be obliged TO wait in suspense like this,
She would scarcely know how to get
through the time but for MIR. Law
rence's attention and warm interest in
the up-shot. John Grants indifference,
not to cay scept cism, on the subject,
threw up his rivals superior qualities
in full relief; and yet there were times
when Barbara felt just little puzzled
that Mr.. Lawrence went no farther.
With all his solicitude and looks that
meant more than words. he never abso-
lutely committed himself to anything
more binding than the merest friend
ship.
81 can't ask him." she said one day
under her breath as she walked slowly
home after one of these "accidentaP'
meetings. "But [ do wish lie would
say straight out what he means or else
stay away altogether. 1t makes one
feel unsettled"
Poor Barbara felt more unset led
still before she reached home. 1t was
a lovely summer evening. and fifty
yards farther on she WAS Joined by an
other cavalier-John Grant this time.
She shrank back at first, half afraid of
some jesting remark about the legacy,
but she soon discovered that he had
quite forgotten the matter. There was
something else Oh his mind, and he lost
no time In saylLg very straight what 1t
was.
81 may not be able to offer YOU fine
house and II xuries," lie said, "bnt
have saved plenty to be- in in comfort,
and l think We might be very happy
together II you would only try. l have
thought about u for the last two years,
and worked hard to be able to tell you
So"
Barbara looked up at him with gen.
uine tears in her eyes.
81 am so sorryi" she said. 81 never
thought of such thing at least, not
in earnest" as she remembered sundry
remarks of Mrs. Siewart's. Besides,
there's lot OF other better girls you
might find"
"That Is not to the point" he in
terrupted; lit is you, not other giIis, l
want. Try and think of it, Barbara.
| don't want to hurry you, but let me
have line as soon as you IN lit means
good deal TO me-
Barbara went home in a kind of
daze. She had never thought so high
of John Grant and his straightforward
dependabeness as at that moment; but,
on the other hand, there was Mr.. Law
renee, with his handsome face and
dashIng manner, and there was little
underlined sense OF resentment against
Mrs. Stewart, who had always been a
strong, if not entirely judicious alvC-
CdIt Sldu', duu-hhu tIch
there was this probable fortune that
might be coming to her. Barbara
looked at the peaceful evening sky in
sore perplexity as to what SHE ought
to do or what she really wished.
ale said he didn't want to hurry
me-" she decided finally; "I1l Just wait
and see how things go"
For another week or two things con-
In, ,al tI.as f,,I.s
Mrs. Stewart wore a chronic air of dis
approval. John Grant was invisible.
Only Mr.. Lawrence was to the fore
with his sympathetic inquiries, but in
some mysterious way Barbara Uegan to |
find them Irritating rather than flalter
ing. She got tired OF giving the same |
response, ''Nothing yet," and of hear
ing the same polite remarks about his |
concern and admiration of her. They |
did not go deep enough.
eff he has nothing more than that to |
say, he ought not to have said it at AL" |
she reflected, contrasting it half un-
consciously with John Grants very Op- |
posIte line of conduct.
at last one Saturday morning, as |
she was setting out for Mrs. Stewart's,
she met the postman, who gave her a |
DIue, ohlCial loohipk ohfeIoPc. Dh
bara stood still on the step, holding |
her breath as she opened it.
"Messrs. Dodd Il Sons compliments |
to Miss Reed, and beg to inform her
that Mrs. Elizabeth Drake has .been
proved the nearest OF kin, and conse-
auently heir-at-law to the f5O0 left by
the late Mr.. James Handford."
Miss Reed folded up the letter and
put it soberIy into her jacket pocket
She had scarcely realized before how
much she had been counting upon 1t.
There was nothing left now but to put
on brave face AID make the best of
it.