Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1896-09-16
"A PERILOUS WOOING.

At one time of my life was govern
es: in the family of Sir William Nor
daunt. My only pupil was his little
daughter May, and both Sir William
aid Lady Mordaunt were the kindest
and most generous of employers. My
pupil was n sweet, docile child OF about
z years old at the time the event i am
about to relate took place.
Then the inevitable ''he" appeared
Gpon the scene in the person of Frank
Dudley, 4 young brother Of Lady Nor
Eaunt. Frank was in the army and had
been in India for some time with his
ICgiment, but was invalided home for
six months. Before that six months
was concluded Frank had fallen des-
perately In love with the pretty gov
Crness-I am a staid old married wOm-
an now, SO this is not conceit-but
when it came to the crucial point 1
could not find it in my heart to say the
little word that would make him happy.
For one reason, though liked him and
was pleased with his attention, l was
nIt sure enough OF my own heart to
marry him; and for another, kind as
Sir William and Lady Mordaunt were,
did not feel by any means certain that
the marriage of their young brother to
pcnniless Soverness would he alto
grther to their mind, and l was too
Troud to enter any family where l
should only be received on suffrance.
9ie went up to London for few weeks.
and thence to go to Ireland with the
regiment into which he had exchanged.
When Frank had left, of course, after
the fashion of my sex, 1 wished him
back again Life seemed very fat with
put his sunny smile and cheerful, kindly
ways. But 1t was too late then. so
tried hard to persuade myself that il
was .all for the best" and devoted my
self with exemplary assiduity to the
Interests of my pupil.
Our next visitor was Jasper Nor
Gaunt. brother of Sir William. Mr.
Jasper had been i'll, suffering from
severe mental strain and nervous de-
PRECISION. lie was not happy in his
EIHrTisd life, and it was thought the
complete rest and change in the brac-
ing air and lovely scenery of our Welsh
home would be beneficial in restoring
hin to health Sir William and Lady
Mordaunt went to town, but the former
only returned with his brother, Lady
MorIaunt having gone to Brighton for
week or two with Mrs. Jasper.
1t was late in the evening when Sir
William and his brother arrived, but
own | felt somewhat scared as caught
q passing glimpse of our new visitors
Eallow. cadaverOus face and wild. dark
tyes. His appearance the next morning
did not tend to reassure me, more espe-
cially as he Immediately singled me out
rs the object of his especial attention,
and kept fixing his eyes upon me as |
sat at the head of the table dispensing
The tea and coffee in a manner which
was, to say the least, slightly cmbar-
RAISING. He addressed nearly all his
remarks to me, and kept paying me
such broad and unnecessary compli-
ments that ! felt myself getting GRIM
son. partly with ve1ation and partly
with amusement Sir William looked
On laughinGly. and at last said:
Come, come. Jasper; this won't do;
lr you say SO many pretty things to
Miss Monroe | shall have to send for
Susan (Mrs. Jasper) to keep you in or
der. And. by the way, you have not
told me how you slept last night. l
hope you were comfortable"
That set him off.
Slept he cried excitedly; "wllg. l
never slept wink all night-not one
4 ;.,1s
l expressed my regret, and Sir Will
liam inquired the cause of Mr.. Jaspers
Insomnia.
Well, I'll tell you all about It," he
sh:d; but first of all, do you believe
IN the transmigratiOn of soulsi'
Certainly not" replied Sir William,
with conviction. 1T is an exploded
superstition"
.'Oh, is il, thcn?" answered Mr. Jas.
per. We'll. | can tell you it is nothing
OF the sort. but real, certain fact. and
Ill prove it to you, and tell you why
could not sleep last night. Some
Years ago l knew n lawyer; be lived
next door To me and was recLoned a
very respectable member of the profess
sion. Now this man was an awful
scoundrel and swindler; used to get peO-
pie to intrust him with their money ~
invest. and then make away with 1t.
why. | knew three sisters for whom
~ was trustee. and whom he complete
ly ruined. Well, ut last this man failed
for l don't know how many thousands.
ard numbers were involved in his ruin.
Emong others the three sisters l have
,o!d you OF. Then TIE man shot him.