Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1896-02-05

nwly positio.- could see every chang,
n her face.
Don't be silly" she said, studiously
werting her eyes. She stopped and
: gathered handful of heather, which
the promptly began to destroy and scat
/; er in little showers over her whit
gOwn. In moment she recovered and
'ecame herself aga n. Get into more
comfortable position" she sail. smil
ng down at him. land talk to me.
. must be amused" So the man. with q
Ugh. lay down on his heather couch
md began to talk. In those days hs
. lid anything the girl told him and ev.
rything he could think of to pleasa
: ier. Presently he began to talk Of his
ate visit to London, that visit on the
ubject Of which he had hitherto beer
10 silent.
And those Irish people," said the
frl. unconcernedly. idly sticking pieces
# heather in his curls. while she looked
Ieenly down ON his face. The top OF
his head was toward her; his eyes wers
ixed on the blue sea. where It appeared
or away In the distance. 20 that he did
lot see her. "Why do you not asl
hem. down here? You were % much
with them and liked them 30 am SUR
rou would be glad to have them"
No answer. The girl stuck another
,iece Of heather In his hair. then tool
t all out again. II am sure I should
lave liked to have met them. I thiuh
should have liked the girl awfully."
Il know you would not"
why? 1 think we should get on
beautifully together"
Il am sure you would not. She is MOI
rour style at ALL
"What style is sheT'
! "Oh, don't know. She 70 an awfu,
iirt and not good form at all"
| "Oh! A silence ensued for about
i've minutes: then the man rolled over;
md, planting his elbows In the heather;
ooked up determinedly into his com
'anion's face. An inkling Of the truth
aad reached his brain.
Ruth. must know. It is only fair
that you should tell me why you have
changed 80 to me-" Dead silence. Tha
girl looked away and made no attempt
20 reply. won't you tell meY' he said
wistfully. "You are making me ver9
miserable, dear" His voice was quits
lad and pleading; 1t touched the cir,
II spite Of herself.
Il am? Oh, Mark The tears al
most came into her eyes, but she SMILED
instead. How can I make you un
happy"
Because love you, Ruth, and can.
iot bear this something that has risen
Ip between us; it drives me mad. Ruth
ny dear little girl, don't you know how
| love you, and that want you to b.
something very. very much nearer thar
friendf"
The smile died away from her face
she grew very pale and her fngeri
trembled a little as she played will
:he heather, but she spoke calmly, al
most coldly. Il did not know 1t was
NE you loved" she said.
Il have never loved anyone else, moi
With a real love. such as I have fol-
Tou. l may have admired others-yes
and perhaps thought myself In love
with them for time, but that Is all 50
1iueTeut, you KNOW IL IS.
Yes. 1 think 1 know" she said. but
It might happen again"
Il do not think it would" he said
,eriously. II never knew until came
back this time, and-and began to fee
hat l might lose you, how much ]
owe you, dear" He wondered theI
why she smiled so oddly. You mus
have seen il, Ruth!"
But Mark, how about that othel
girl. that Irish girl? Aren't yOu-don1
for herr"
'Pooh," said the man, with unfeigned
corn. Care for her? l never did,
Ole may fiirt with girl like that, but
As to loving her, or-marrying her
well. pity the poor fool who does. She
dirts abominably."
Then the girl smiled again, a trl. s
little smile. quite unintelligi.
BILE to the man. She knew that hei
course of treatment had been success
full; the cure was complete.
why do you smile:" the man asked
"Because-Oh-becau l am so hap
py."
Happy? Do you mean that" catch
Ing one Of her hands and kissing il
"Then it Is to be-may
I tell the old folks that 1t has all come
about as they wished? Look at me
child. and tell me that you really NEAR
1t. that you do care"
Still she looked away, intent on tear
ing up the unfortunate heather by be-
side. The man watched her in silen
he could not understand her IL
this variable mood.
"You do not care" he said at last
when the silence had become unbeara
BILE. you do not care and you caunoi
make yourself" There was a grea,
sadness in his voice, his face seemed
in a moment to have aged and growl
haggard. He turned over and proppet
himself on one elbow, with his face vel
away from hers.
Something was laid on his bowed
head.
1t was Ruth's little hand. Mark
she said, softly.
What is 1t, Ruth?"
Look up: want to tell you some
hing"
He obeyed her, and turned a yer,
miserable pair Of eyes toward hes
Never mind, little woman" he said
)ravely; Il know you can't care
He stopped, something In her facl
making him forget what he was say
Ig
Her eyes were bright and shining, Q
lelicate flush crept over her cheeks
You are making a mistake. I do care
rery, very much" she said, earnestly
1T is all right now." and, leaning to
ward him, she took his face between
Ter two hands and kissed him gently on
he forehead.
You dear little soul!' he cried. as