Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1892-10-19
BOB.

average snare OF 8Oi q looks.
I suppose bis features couldn't have
been called regular. He had a short
nose, ratber-well, let us say retro UsSe
which is amore charital le way of put
ting it than the plain English "turn
up." His ewes weren't particularly
large, but they were bright and keen,
which made up somewhat As for his
mouth, perhaps it is best to own at
once that It wasn't quite as pretty as it
might have been. But in spite of all
these drawbacks he certainly had dis
tinguished air about him, which wasn' t
to be wondered at, for his pedigee was
both a long and a brilliant one.
Bob lived with a young lady named
Nelly, on whom he showered all the
love of his staunch true nature, and
who returned his passion with affection
scarcely less than his own.
The life these two spent together WIS
that Of peace and harmony, until one
unlncky dav a circus happened to pass
through the town, and the latter
deemed it her duty to be present at one
of its performances.
1t was a black day for Bob: he often
thought rueiully as he looked back on
it, for from that time Nelly took
strange and, In Bob's opinion, obi. c.
tional crazes into her head. She In
sisted upon his going through a daily
series of gy mnastic exercises, aud pur-
chased a box of ivory letters, from
which he was expected to select partic-
ular ones and deposit them in order on
the carpet. He didn't consider 1t at
all 81 interesting game, and even used
10 become a trIhe sulen when evening
after evening the same hateful box
made it's appearance.
But Bob wa too fond of his mistress
to openly rebel, but 1t was easy to see
ne didn't at all appreciate the new
amusement. "After all, if Nelly also
was pleased it didn't much matter"
be always said to himself, after the
ridiculous game was at an end.
The mornings we're far pleasanter,
and there was quite excitement as to
whether or no the postman would pay
them a visit. Bob used to station HIM
self at the window and anxiously watch
for the welcome figure of the imam Of
letters"
If he didn't come, Bob was disap-
Tointed because he knew Nell would
he disappointed. for she loved getting
letters, especially letters written on
thin transparent paper. Bob well knew
this, aud greatly reioiced when any of
these arrived.
One morning he was in his usual
place at the window, with his brig
keen eyes fixed eagerly on the carriage
drive. Presently bis patience was re-
warded by the sigut OF the postman,
with bulky bag on his back, and
little pile of missives in his hand.
Bob rushed OF to tell Nelly the well
come news, and q moment after the
servant appeared with a couple of let
ters for her mistress, and oh, Joy! one
was written on thin, foreign paper.
Nelly's cheeks were rosy as she to
the letter, and directly the parlOr maid
left the room, she fastened to open
one of them, perhaps you may be able
10 guess which
Bob watched ber eagerly, quite con-
tent to see her happy. He never
thought OF wishing for letters for him
eelf, so long as she had what she
wanted.
But now, as he looked, a change
came The sunlight died ont of her
fsce, he- cheeks and lips grew color
less, and before he could realize what
had happened Nelly lay white and still
upon the carpet.
Bob was perplexed. he had seen
her look grave before especially when
he didn't select the right letters out
of the box, but he had never seen her
ike this. Was she angry with him?
Whist bad he done? With beating
heart he apDroa he'd tie motiOnless
figure of lis beloved Nelly, and tlmid-
ly Impressed 6 caress upon her smooth
brow.
Still she did not move, did not even
look at him. Was she angry even
YETI A low moan of despair broke
from his lips as he gaZed helplessly at
the PROSTATE form. Then all of a sud-
den bright Iles struck him. In the
corner of the room lay the box of hate
fuI ivory letters. Qaick as thought he
was beside it, and had pushed open the
lid. Then with a mighty effort he con-
centrated sll his mind upon his task,
and, careful to make no mistake,
selected m "H" from the g., and
placed II upon the carpet Just by Nelly.
After that he returned to the box and
searched for an ga" which he put
next to the III" Then he deposited
AL H. lItu duOlutE H. anu nav
ing got so far he paused.
What was the next letter? 1t would
spoil all # he we're wrong over this.
Trembling with excitement he once
more crossed the room, after a some
what lengthy deli Grafton took out a
"Y" and placed 1t beside the last ar.
His task was finished. How had it
succeeded?
He looked eagerly a smile of ap-
provsl from his drrling Nelly.
She was still ana cold as before. a
great wave OF dIsapr ointment rushed
over him. But he would not give way
to despair even now H WAS about TO
have recourse once more to the box of
letters when, to his Joy and relief,
Nelly 5 eyes opened ant rested won
deriDgly NJ on the rorm of her faithful
Bob and then on the row OF letters at
his feet.
As she began to realize what had
happened, a sweet sad smile broke over
her features and she stretched out her
arms and clasped them lovingly around
him. In another moment she was weep
ing hysterically upon his neck.
After that there foil wed a week Of
the keenest anxiety for Bob.
Nelly went about loo ing spiritless
and Ill, and Bob's tender heart bied
for her.
Then came another thin letter. Bob
trembled with anxiety as be watched
Nelly take it from the servant. The
last to arrive had not somehow been
quite so successful as its predecessors.
The writing on the envelope of this
one was weak and undecided-very
different from that in which it was
usually addressed
With nervous fingers Nelly broke
the seal and devoured he contents,
which (another unusual occurrence)
were of tue briefest description. How
ever. brief though they we're, they
seemad satisfactory, for Nelly uttered
a little sigh OF relI,f, and the thin sheet
went up very close TO her ros lips.
II L