Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1895-05-08

WNN(M II, If the , worlds tot
the boil we'd have
como to the top rs prime scum--truth,
and no lie, mate. But among us wal
man dubbed "the SQUIRE" because,
though he Jared like the rest of us
toiled, lived and dressed just as W.
did, yet there was that in him which
stamped him as Of quite a different
breed. Sweils out of luck are to be
found by the bushel in Australia still,
] never came upon his double before
or sinca Rumor went that he was a
baronet ct home in England, but had
been forced to cut and run so he tried
New South Wales and the gold dig.
gins, bent on succeeding.
He did not live alone; his daughte,
was with him, though how and when
she reached him mono knew; she had
reached him, and bore her strange life
as best she might They dwelt in a
small shanty in the midst OF many
pines, poor. rough place, far apart
from the other huts; q queer frame
for such n stately picture of woman
a lady, with the same superior bear
ing visible in her father. I'd walked
that way with the Squire once, and she
ran out to meet him. The sight of
her struck me all ola heap, SO unex-
pccted in the lonely spot, where there
was no other company than the bright
winged birds, no other sound than the
stir OF the windy trees. She was tall,
the color of wild roses in her cheeks,
heavens blue in her eyes. Her dress,
dark and close-titting, had none of the
fiashy ornaments that women such as
We take up with cram on; her hair,
coiled smooth about her head, shone
ike black satin.
'This is one of my--chums, my
dear, said "the Squire, " with his soft
voice and his hard smile.
Since then, I had hung about the
log house often, labor ended. l
fetched water, got In sticks, cleaned
boots, or did such odd Jobs which
were not fit for her. and said no word !;
but she found me out in brace of
shakes, and grew used to and was
thankful for such help as could give,
knowing that meant no harm, though
startled her at frst-a great Orson
,f chap in my rough gear.
One evening l came on her watch.
ing in the cleaning. How eerie it
was underneath the trees; the wind
soughed through the branches, bring
ing dash of rain; deluge was in the
black clouds sweeping across the sky.
Il am anxious about my father"
she said, looking like tall white lily
that somehow had been showed into
the wrong pot, and touching my big
earth-stained fingers with her fine,
slim hand. 81 am always anxious
about him; though, since knowing
you, have not felt so absolutely dis
tressed, for am glad to recollect that
you are within his call. You would
stand between him and harm,
Mink"
"Why, yes, Miss; make your mind
easy on that score; 'twould be done
with will. But what harm is like to
:ome, that you need furry?"
"Nedl" she cried, stopping sud.
denly, (her father always called me
eo), II had such a curious dream last
night. l dreamed that I went down
into the little valley beyond the wood,
and there 1 saw my father lying on
the grass sound asleep-so eound that
l could not wake him; while the clus-
ters of wild flowers sprang up so high
that they hid him and I heard the
pines in the distance chanting q SOL
omn kind Of ltany. I was crying
when / woke,
lyon are too much alone, Miss, and
grow nervous"
"My father has been very fortunate
lately, has he not?" shs asked,
"He has had some good finds, miss;
and to-day he got hold OF two jolly big
nuggets"
81 am glad. Will he bring them
home this evening g?-What's that?"
md she sprang to the door, fiinging it
open, the shine of tho lamp behind
her. dearest father !" she cried, sis
it you?" But she broke off, alarm in
her voice: "Nedl Ned /" for no father
was there, but two OF tho worst of our
lot-scamps for whom hemp was grow
ing; the one a blackguard sailor; the
other n smartish, slimp chap, thin,
dark, lying. His name was Phil
Dawlish.
1 remembered now. as I saw him bv
the flash of the light, that he as well
as i, had been near when "the Squire"
held up the two great nuggets; and il
struck me-1'm quick at conclusions
that both scoundrels had not intended
to come up to the house, but were Just
lurking round-What for?
Miss Helen-I only knew her by her
Christian name then-faced them
steadily. though she had called me to
ber, and asked what they wanted.
"Why, nothin' in special miss"
stammered Dawlish, lifting his ragged
straw hat with swellmob politeness and
leer which made me tingle to kicl
him; tony, is the old Boss at homei
t-1mean your pa, miss, he translated
NO." she replied, nodding her heat
high, to show she was not frightened;
but I, being close to her, could heal
her heart thudding like q hammer,
while the blood famed to her brows
under the foul gaze rowing over her.
rWhy do you askf".
"Just this, mum. Will you DO a,
good rs tell him that me and my pale
off to Hnlton's Ranch for short spell,
and if he'd like to tramp over-why,
tits a mighty 'andsome part o the
country, and he'd be welcome, thntt
ll."
She shut the door upon them. draw
ing a stout bar across it, ''Are those |
the men he works with?" she cried, |
Hinging up her hands. "Heaven help
2s!"
I was casting round for another job.
chen she stayed me by asking if ] !;
yould go to meet her father.
! "But you"
. "Nay; I do not minds The littl,
,ouse is secure. Why" With o wist. !;
full smile, 81 am always alone from
daybreak until dark"
/ knew it WAS the fact; 20, biddinA