Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1893-08-16

"Oh, Jim, If you only knew"
az beg your pardon" spoke quiet,
composed voice, in the deep, well-lnodu-
lated tones that bespeak much practice,
''but / think there must be some mis-
take. Mrs. Mills sent me here TO put up
my horse. Pm afraid am one OF the
'four horrId ministers But assure
yNu-'
Matty caught up the barn lantern ano
held it on level with his face.
why" she exclaimed, ats NJ.
BeresIoTdW
That is my name. Aud yon are
light of recognition illuminated his face.
"But, il 1t is an allowable question
how on earth came you herel"
'In the most natural way in thu
world. | live here. And you"
AZ am here to attend the convention"
"Mr. Beresford"
"Miss Matty"
"Are you Administer"
az have that honor, Miss M,tty."
alt can't be possiblew
"Why shouldn't it be possibIel Al
though you, perhaps, were not aware Of
it, was theological student when |
met you in Massachusetts. Yes, Miss
Matty," with a mischievous nod of the
head, sits an incontrovertible fact.
am one of the four horrid ministers"
Matty lowered her lantern.
MAY ask your eirand at the barnF
said she, in an altered voice. Though
perheps my mother sent yol to find
met"
mo. She told ne to come here to
put up my hoise; he is waiting cut.
side"
"Oh, poor fellow, he must be very
tired!" said Matty, hurriedly, hanging
the lantern on u hook. "Open the big
door, Lead him into one of the empty
stalls. Not tina: side. Bassie is there
the cow-and she isn't used to horses. y
With quick, deit hands, the girl tossed
down an armful of hay into the manger
and showed Mr.. Beresford where to ind
the painted pail whegewith to bring
water from the well, and then leaving
the lantern as a guide, she vanished.
Mr.. Bcrcsford smiled quietly as he
made his horse comfortable, and then re-
turned to the house, where Mrs. Mills
had prepared an appetizing repast. But
when he went to bed at ten o'clock there
was no sign OF Matty's return.
Mrs. Mills herself hurried over to Aunt
Betsys house in the morning.
"Where's Marthai" said she. az want
her."
"Marthyl" echoed Aunt Betsy, put
ting one hand behind her ear after the
fashion of deaf people. "What about
Marthyl She amt been here"
"Then where is shel" cried Mrs. Mills.
"How shoull l know1" counter ques-
toned Aunt Betsy, irritably.
"She was always es full of kinks as q
clothesline on a wet day!" sighed Mrs.
Mills. ~ guess I'll jest have to do the
best can without her. She was dread
full opposed to my boardin' the four rev
erends; but l guess my willis as strong as
her'n. I'll get along somehow, and
Martha shau't have a cent of the money |
earn-no, not cent! But amt it funny,
Betsy2 Mr. Beresford tells me-by the
way, his names Beresford, not Belford,
as l s'posed i. was-thst he used to visit
up to Mansfield, where Martha taught
one term spell ago"
az want to knows" said Aunt Betsy.
"He seen her down to the barn last
night" added Mrs. Mills. "She showed
him where to put up his horse, an that
was the last of her. wish l knew where
she was"
The convention had been in session
several days, when, during Mr.. Beres-
ford's sermon in the crowded village
church, his eyes fell on Matty Mills's face,
half hidden in the shadow of one OF the
quaint wooden pillars.
he paused q moment in mld-senteucc !:
then he collected himself, and went on
as brilliantly as ever.
But when he mad finished, he did not
stay to hear the Reverend Raymond Cush-
ing's remarks" which came next, but
slipped out into the fresh air and star
light. So that when unconscious Matty
emerged, like slim shadow, he quietly
put out his hand and stopped her. She
started violently.
"s.op a minute, said he. "Why are
you cryingi."
"I-I didn't want to cryp said she,
sobbing and defart. .'But you made
me-you preached that sermon right at
mel"
III wasn't thinking of you, Miss
Matty," said he, quietly, "until my eye
fell on your face. All the same, if the
cap fits you, by all means put it on"
~ won't be so willful for the future,
murmured Matty. "rll give up my own
way. I'll come back this very night and
help mother in her own fashion. After
all she is older than am, and wiser"
She spoke partly as if she were think
ing aloud, as she added:
al had meant to 60 up north again
and teach, but il mother wants me to
stay here"
Aud nobody but Matte herself-and
possibly Mr.. Beresford, in lesser degree
knew what 1t cost the girl to relinquish
her ambitious dreams and take up the
humble, homely burden Of everyday life
again. But she did it bravely.
martha amt the same gal she was, "
complacently spoke Mrs. Milh. az al.
ways knowed If I talked to her. long
Enough. .Issopld make her hear reason,