Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1895-06-12

| late rather lattcr,nsly attentive to him.
self, his grim appreciation of his unat-
tractiyeness led him to place it to the
/ credit of his position rather than of him.
self.
Nevertheless. the familiarity to which
! bygone comradeship with Mrs.
| L'EstranSe entitled him, was very deli.
| cious. He had never been on such terms
| of intimacy with women before, and he
was quick to perceive that his comings
| and goings caused no disturbance, that
| he had fallen into the march of their
quiet lives, and felt that to part with
them would be the kcenest grief he had
ever known. Them--or one? For awhile
| he scarcely knew.
You are alarming yourself unneces
| sarily.' he had been saying, when this
depression began. 'There is small chance
of any professional thief visiting this
part of the world for some time to come,
but suppose it is not easy to throw off
the impression such a scene rs you wit
messed must have created"
I Goodnight" cried Bea, holding up a
rosy mouth to be kissed. "Will you
| bring me new spade tomorrow
Not to-morrow-the day after. Good
! night. Miss Beatrix-slecp well. Good
, night. fraulein."
Nora rose from the piano, and drew q
'ow chair by the fire.
There is no use in arguing the mat
ter" she aid. "Helcn cannot resist her
nervousness. I myself, though I feel
quite brave In the daylight, begin to be n
little uncomfortable as night draws in,
and l see Helen look Up with a startled,
restless look ut any sudden sound, and
really. after seeing what a daring thief
:nn do, ones faith In chains, bars and
bolts dies away"
''Our chief safeguard Is the absence of
valuables," said Mrs. L'Estrange.
''Do you think" resumed Nora. "tbai
it would be well to go up to town for
couple of months. just in the dead of the
winter? We should throw off these dis
agreeable impressions and be our noble
selves again"
Il do believe it would be the best thins
you could do" said Winton. at is a cap
ital idea. OF course, I am speaking sell
fishly. l must be in London a great part
of November, and your nervousness may
transfer itself to me if 1 find myself lone
y and friendless in that vast wilderness"
Nora laughed.
81 don't fancy your nerves trouble you
much. But it would be rather nice to
go to the theater and concerts, some
times"
"And you would be a capital escort
said Mrs. LEstrange, though, perhaps,
you do not care for such things?"
When find acting that can make m.
forget it is acting, I am deeply interest
ed. but concert bores me, though 1 am
very fond of certain kinds of music"
If began Mrs. L'Estrange, goin,
back to the subject uppermost in her
mind, IF had not seen that dreadful
knife, should feel less creepy"
Don't think about it, dear Helen
cried Nora. go, play a game of chess
with Mr.. Winton; that will effectuaIly
1ivert your thoughts"
Il will, if you would like 1t, Mark
mean," smiling and coloring, "Mr. Win
ton"
Yes, let US have a trial of strength,
BY all means"
"My strength is of the broken-reet
order" said Mrs. L'Estrange, smiling.
Il will go and see Bea tucked up, and
:hen do my best"
II wonder" began Nora, as Mrs. LES
TRANCE left the room, II wonder wha,
they are doing In London. If they have
discovered anythingw She clasped her
dreamily into the fire. Mrs. Ruthyen
promised to write to me. but she has
not"
There has scarcely been time" said
Winton, as he brought over the chess
table, and began to set forth the pieces.
"A nd fear there is small chance of dis
covery. 1t is unlucky for Mnrsden, too,
for l suppose the best thing he can do
is to marry the charming widow; they
would suit each other admirably. Now,
l should not be surprised If the notion
that he is unlucky to her should take pos
session of her mind" Winton watched
Nora's face as he spoke.
Poor Squire, hope not; it would be
If he is fond of her do hope she will
marry him.
"If? Then you do not agree with ever,
one that he is devoted to herr" And
while he spoke, Winton thought, 'Is this
acting or real idifference?"
Il am not sure. have scarcely seen
them together. But 1 like her: she IL
very nice to me. Why don't you like her,
Mr.. Winton?"
why do you think do not?"
81 know it, because-oh! 1 can hardly
tell. BY the tone of your voice, by the |
expression of your eyes"
Hum! SO my eyes can express dislike |
at any rate?"
"Oh! they can express liking, too. ! |
Dean," blushing quickly at the glance he !
L
but am right, you do not like Mrs. Ruth
ven?"
''The reason why cannot tell. But l !
do not like the widow, ma BELIEF said
Winton.
"Oh! brnvow cried Nora. laughing. 81 !
did not suspect you were capable Of i'm
81 dare say I am capable Of more thar
you imagine. 1 suppose I ought to as
sure you that have no reason for dislik-
ing Mrs. Ruthven-it is an instinct"
Il thought these instincts Of liking and
were characteristic of women;
that men built up their preferences on a
solid foundation of reason"
" We ought, and Mt least, I try to be
3ust."
Il am afraid you are a little hard"
Il dare say 1 am, or have been: at
present, / may, for all know, be learning
to be too soft" He looked down as no
spoke these words thoughtfully. "But
In the battle of life we can rarely afford
to lay aside our armor."
What q dreadful iden of life." said
Nora with q sigh. Winton did not reply;
he paused. his hand on a rook, and looked
intently ut his companion, whose eyes
were fixed on the fire.
Now. Mr.. Winton, shall do my best
to conquer" said Mrs. L'Estrange, re-
turning. Winton brought her a chair.
DO you never care to learn 2" he said
20 Nora as he took his place.
Il have tried. I used to try and play
with my father, but I never could learn, .,
never could be interested; there 10 some
deficiency, 1 suppose in me, for never
care II win or lose at any game"
Which shows an unmathemntical. un-
turn Of mind" said Winton,
smiling. Il wait your attack" to Mira
L LEstrange. :,
For awhile Nora read the newspaper;
then she rose, and, leaning on the back
of her step-mothcr's chair, looked on at
The game. a. II watching an opportunity
of speaking.