Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1895-03-13
{ HALTER NV.

CHATTER XIV.
So now we know as much about the
matter. or very nearly as much, as
Geraldine did herself. She had been
equipped for her morning ride, VIII T
and gloves in hand, ere she had
broached the sub ect, and there had
been no time for discussion, nor Tor
mentioning the idea to Cecil, tho was
in waiting outside: more than this an
opportunity for conveying the decision
to Bellenden unheard had to be
watched for.-and altogetherit seemed
as if she were engaged in something
contra band.
Bellenden was in the row that morn
ing, and it seemed to young Raymond
that the confidence of the previous
night had not deserted him. He was
riding. moreover, which he had not
once before done. so that he could now
DIN com pany with the cousins if he
,chose-anI he did choose. He put his
horse alongside of theirs as matter
of course, and their was nothing TO lie
said.
Presently Geraldine murmured some
thing to him aside. She bent over hel
sad le to do so, affecting to steady
fidget on the part of her horse: but il
could scarcely have been anything to
do with sir Lancelot's' restlessness
which brought the inst antaneous look
OF pleasure into her conn anion 5 face as
he listened. What could it have been!
Bellenden looked, indeed, as he felt.
greatly pleased. I'VE can take q
fourth. yoI know" he OBJ erved
.'would one OF your cousins like to
Gomez
.They have been already, all ex.
cept Cecil" here Geraldine stopped
suddenly. What was she saying? She
did not want Cecil asked, would have
cen sadly put out had he been so. and
here she was. Us 1t were. limiting ior
an invitation for him. SOFT was taken
evidently.
..-hali ask HIM" said Bellenden
after moment Iause.
No answer. he glanced at her, saw
that he shoalG have none, and was
more Contented than ever.
In truth, it had been the merest slip
of the tongue on Geraldine's part, the
hald statement of fact. s nee she wal
already beginning to wish that the ring
Of the do r-bciI would not quite so fire.
pucntiy mean yo ng / aymono s voice
in the hall. and step upon the stair. and
what it was not to be taken SO COM
pletely FOR granted that he was to be
OF the party whenever anything was
arranged between her and Ethel and
Alicia. They could not now go TO
concert. nor tlower-shOw. Tor pic
ture gallery they could scarcely walk
shop. or drive, but what the brother
would he met somewhere even if he
had not started with the rest at the
outset To be sure, if he had been
now as before the merely atte ntlve
cousin and usful companion, his com
,,any might still have been welcome
hut alack, a girls unerfing instinct
had told her of late that the time fol
this had past
Those constant visits. those uneasy
looks. those close and frequent cross
examinations. those fitful days OF moody
depression succeeded by bursts.of light
heart edness and relief all carried
their own tale
To ask him now to make fourth as
BcIIendeu's gusts And for herself,
to have to sit by Eellenden 'aAside, con
sciou- of those lealouS. watchful eye:
following every movement, those shari
ears on the catch for every word? She
could not do il.
Gently gently. Sir Lancelot.
sYour horse is stidgetlng for canter
Miss Campbell
And o ! they all went, and not an
other word was said about the opera
bit the affair came off nevertheless.
The straw berry tea brought no i'm
pro ement IN matters, III so far as IL
givers were concerned.
Geraldine and her grandmother ar
riyrn late. and stayed downstairs eat
inc icna and drinking coffee, until af
Ter the recital had begun, Mrs. Camp
baII considering that she might pleas
herself and take any liberties she chose
In her daughters house: and. accord
,noly. when at length the two cam'
upstairs, the large room was tull u
tine brin, and not a chair to be had
iDon seeing which granny proteste
.Lat she was glad it was so, Tor sh
preferred remaining in the cooler al
mosphere of the landing outside, I
any a1ount of fine re -itatlon IN pam
inS, breathle-s, overcroWded drawing
room. .
Geraldine was of the same opinion
she had bee n surfeited with amuse
ments OF late and the sounds fror
within excited no curiosity or deslr
for more in her bosom.
Presently she drew her chapero
out upon the balcony, cool and temp
ing under its shady awning. an
banked in with flowers; and Cecil WHIT
as iIl-lGck would have it, had g
wedged in ut the very Ear end OF In
Iarpnst room. close by the platlorI
upon which he had had to introduc
the reciter, and from whence subs'
aueut escape had been impossible
could inst perceive the wreath OF ros'
buds for which he had been looking
fit past In the far distanse, hopelessl
out of reach ~.
He must now perforce wait for tn
half hours interval ere anything coui
be done.
Never had speaker been SO wear
some: never had performance SCENE
of such unending length.
Fans were tiuttering. lace scar
we're being loosened. lositions wer
beinr changed. yawns were peln
stided. and it became evident thu
every one was hot, and tired, an
Ionoinp to move. and bored to deati
and the ckly author OF the mlschl'
.knew that he had only himself
thank for the general ennul. ne ma
selected few long pieces, instead
greater number OF short ones, n
idea being that once by Geraldine
side. he should not be required
saove so often. and do his part as nos
He Lad tod his cousin to De early. an
.ancied she had promised 70 Dc So
which case she too would nave pee
up beside the little platform, ana CLOS
10 the large window where ne ha
kept places yacant as long as ne cou!o
He had known she would ike the ali
and she might, lie thought, nav
trusted him to see she had 1t.
III hi