Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1895-04-17

SISuiiy 10 nerSelI, tears anu LAt8 nter
struggling with each other in her
bosom. by tomorrow, my sweet
Geraldine? Yes, indeed, l can well
believe there will be another face by
| tomorrow
For she knew by this time that all
| was right. and that the magician who
was to trans orm cloud and mist, de:
! lection and gloom into sunshine and
giadness. was already ct his post, and
only awaiting that morrow's dawn to
begin his delightful task.
The next morning Geraldine was
missing at nOOntide.
''Gone OF to the burnside, ma am, to
her old place beneath the waterfall
where she used to fish," cheerfully ex-
planned the white headed domestic,
who read in this a return to a happier
mood than had characteri?e ed the even
ing before. .'She did not take her
rod, nor yet ask for Donald; b, she g
| there. ali the same, for EectOr here
saw her cross the road. and away up
through the birken wood"
al think" said the lady shortly after,
when repeating this to a third person
who had walked up from the "Ferry
Inn," where he had managed to en-
dure the night. though it had not been
III CcaDlc l. *, olF
erick, you know the place. 1t is sOme-
where near that waterfall that we hear
now," for they were standing outside
ran send some one to show YOU the
way, but -" he was off almost ere he
.ould repudiate the idea.
Nothing could have been better
Geraldine in her own enchanted nest
OF fern and heather. in the spot where
in he had first beheld her, the spot
whereupon he had won his first tri-
1mphs. Could he have wished for
3etter omen now?
And there she was,
He did not call her, as he drew near
She was standing on the self-same
ledge of slippery rock whereon he had
startled her that afternoon three years
ago, and standing SO near the edge
that he burst not risk startling her
lgain.
He was almost afraid to move, or to
treathe-an it seemed ages ere she
turned, and slowly and sorrowfully as
it seemed, moved with downcast eyes
;Oward him.
At length she was close by hls side
on the confines of the long, rank,
dripping grass, and then one word
rang out bold and strOng-"Geral-
1ipe.'
Geraldine did not scream. nor faint
nor fall this time. She only STOOD
quite still, while the color slowly left
her cheek, her blue eyes dilated, and
her lips fell apart.
Who was this? Who spoke' What
Hid he there?
Was he-was she-were they both
whore were they, and what did it all
mean?
She swayed gently forwards. anC
once again found herself clasped in the
same strong arms that had held her in
the selfsame spot before.
But-the resemblance went no
.urther.
Il shall not let you go this time, :"
whispered a voice in her ear. ''I have
you asst; and, Geraldine, l will know,
will know the truth at last. You
he'd to me in London - oh, my darling,
my darling, You did: 1 know it, 1 am
sure OF it, and -there-there,
don't weep so bitterly-or, if you will,
let me kiss away the tears. Geraldine.
l love you. and [ must love you
whether you will or not be generous
and forgive, and let us both be happy.
Nay, don't hide your face"-but he
AouANs shS w - Pi OSShbhys
She could not struggle with him
could not choose but hearken to him
could not but be happy in her cage.
And Bellenden knew his ground b,
this time, and was very sure that half
measures would be productive of only
half content.
Before he left that damp and de.
lightful but sadly rheumatic spot, he
had obtained all be wanted, the fair
hand that lay in his had been prom
ised him, the heart pressed to his own
had been allowed to be his already.
And he had obtained forgiveness for
all the past.
And the only word about the
only word that had been dropped out
on the other side. had found vent in q
murmur go soft that is had been al
most inaudible. ''StilI, you know. do
think that you shouldn't-shouldn
shouldn't have quite quite treated
ne as if had been a mere child"
mo, l shouldn't" acknowledged
the happy lover ready to acknowledge
"Shall l promise | shall
never do so any Ihore?"
THE END.