Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1895-04-24
CHAPTER I.

A glowing September morning wa
pouring its golden light through the opeI
window of morning room or study, il
the eastern wing of n picturesque oil
house standing half way up hillside il
one of the Midland shires. A backgroun,
of beech trees framed in its mellow rel
brick walls, and before it lay a wide, un
dulating plain, many colored, and bound
ed by distant dim blue hills.
A pleasanter room could scarce b
found, though the furniture was old-fash
ioned. the curtains and carpet faded. Th'
bay window opened Oh terrace, below
which We're pleasure grounds, and in it
recess stood table, spread with dainty
china and delicate silver-the remains o.
the breakfast-and Il vase of hot-hous
flowers, from a conservatory into whici
n glass door admitted.
The sole occupant was Il gentleman,
slight, elegant looking man of thirty o.
upward, with silky, wavy dark hair ant
small mustache, and an unmistakable al
of distinction.
A pile of letters lay beside him, Will
he had pushed away his plate to max,
room for a book, which he was studyin,
apparently with deep interest.
Presently he raised his eyes-"eyes o,
goodly landscape which lay before him
But his vision was evidently directed II
some far distant object and after n mo
ments thought, he took up pencil ani
began 10 scribble calculations on the bach
of n letter.
Yes" he murmured, 'if it can be car
;ied out, | shall be free man Ther
opening the letter on which he had beei
scrawing. he turned over n page or two
covered with small, firm writing, and READ
slowly:
Il shall do nothing about n second truA
tee until after your festivities" ran the
paragraph he had selected. Besides
every one is away at this season. Need
| say | have perfect confidence in you:'
He folded it up and put it under al
elastic band, which held some other let.
ters together, and tearing the envelope
into minute fragments, threw them into
the waste-paper basket beside him.
AS he did so. a soft indistinct SCUM.
from an adjoining room-the door intt
which stood open-caught his ear. He
paused and listened. The faint rustlina
drew nearer, and pleasant voice began
to sing in n low tone, as if the singe,
thought in song. The listener seemed to
recognize the music the voice. His
lace brlEnIe1el, he NaiI rose from his
seat. but resumed it, as if he wished to
hear more. The next moment n lady
walked through the doorway and stopped
opposite to him.
\ young lady. tail and slight, though
:oUnd and graceful: she was simply dress.
ed in 4 maize-colorcd print and u pretty
muslin aud lace apron tied with brown
ribbons, Il sash of the same marked her
shapely waist, and tan Gauntlets hid her
hands. one of which held a large garden
hat adorned with a couple of pale-pink
chrysanthemums The face it had shaded
was fair and fresh, and lighted by Il cou.
pie of large darh-sray eyes-eyes. lashes,
eyebrows, all dark, compared to the light.
brown hair that curled in n small fringe
over her brow, and was gathered neatly
back into a large knot.
She gazcd for an instant in frank amaze.
mcnt at the gentleman, who rose 10 greet
her-thcn quick. bright smile curved
her red-lipped, kindly mouth, and made u
little coquettish interroSative dimple ir
one check. as she cried:
"Why, how-when did You come, squire'
We all fancied you were in Scotland"
well, you see | am not" he returned,
advancing toward her with an outstretch.
ed hand, in which she placed hers. "And
what are you doing, l should like to know,
invading my premises in this burglarious
fashion y
'You know very well l always come to
the library for any books may want, and
by your leave too. You're such an alb.
sentee you ought not to be surprised if
thieves did break through and steal"
mo. l am not IN the least surprised
with emphasis.
an 7 ,,-1,, T
library window open," resumed the young
lady, "but 1 thought Mrs. Storer was
having a thorough cleaning, so walked
in, and, imagining she was in the room
l.
"Uneartlcd the master! 1 shall accept
-FOUR coming rs n good omen" His hand
some, though somewhat worn, face was
aglow with pleasure as he spoke, but her
eyes were attracted to the pile of letters
and the open book, and she did not notice
him.
81 arrived quite unexpectedly last night.
to the great disgust of my few faithful re-
tainers," he went on. DO you know, !
have been planning great things
that will rejoice you, ma belle Leonore."
Pray, don't give me my long name,"
she exclaimed, with a pretty impatient
nod. 1T always reminds me of that hor.
To TuEeu tipping III tiie cHaHlDeT uoor
What are your great th!ngs?
"Dorrington and Isabel are coming to
stay with me. and the Harveys, Algy Bal
four. Mrs. Ruthven and lot more, and
/ am going to give big ball to the no.
bility, gentry, and even the cads, of the
surrounding country"
mo. reaIly?" with evident delight, "you
are quite charming for thinking Of such
thing"
Il am glad your estimate of me coin.
cides with that of society in general"
How awfully conceited you are, squire,
out am glad Lady Dorrington is coming,
and shall be delighted to dance at your
ball. Now / must go. How late you
nre! The breakfast things still on the
table?" and glancing at the book as she
walked TO the window, what are your
studies? Chemistry? Who are you GO
ing to poison? / did not think you were
scientific"
Nor am 1; am only n student OF hui
ran nature. But don't you want n book!
let US find one, and l will carry it home
for you"
You are too obliginS. l want vol
ums or rope. i mao a dispute 1ast nIsm
with Mr., Winton about passage In the
:Itape of the Lock- and l want to prove
myself right"
"Ahw a long-drawn "ah." "1s he herei
Well, find your book, and l will escort
you back"
He gathered up his papers, thrust them
into a bureau, which he locked, and rang
Cor his valet.
His visitor returned to the library,
.arge somber apartment pervaded with
faint delightful odor of Russia leather,