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

| tue ICSt VI Lt CAAStChSC, cii
said, at length. You are a very agre'
able companion, Mark: at least. you ca
De-" with little rising OF the eyebrow!
"but think 1t would be very stupid I
pass ones whole life with on
friend"
with one what?'
"Friend," answered the girl, calmly
nnfurling her sunshade and settlin
more comfortably into her cushions.
The I1an stared at her for few Sex
onds. Then he followed her gaze at tn
trOwn sails. and for a moment they ar
peared to find something of surpassin
interest in them.
Il think 1t would be very jolly t
bring out Nina Armstrong one day
and her brother. don't you" asked tn
girl.
"Ye-es. perhaps they would Ike 1t.
indiferently.
| "Oh, Jack Armstrong told me yester
day that he was devoted to sailing. HI
wanted me to 60 with him-them-tO
day. but said you were coming, ant
you would thing it odd II You found M
one at home"
"You are very kind" he answered ,
little sulkily. Il am sorry to have KEEP
you at home"
"Oh, It does not matter. I can 60 an
other day. I wanted to see you. yor
know"
Thanks; but why not go in his boat
tomorrow instead of having him here
You would enjoy it more, probably"
81 don't know that should" husing
y. Besides, want you to know Nina
She Is such a dear little soul. and sc
pretty. am sure you will quite fall in
love with her."
She looked at her companion for the
arst time, then quickly lowered hel
supshade, for the dignified amazement
Of his expression was too much for hei
gravity. For minutes silence reigned
In tho boat. The man was wondering
IL it could really be possible that the
girl regarded him simply as one Of hei
many friends, and was quite Indifferent
IS to whether he cared more for another
girl or not.
1t had never occurred to him that
other men might admire Ruth so much
as to take her from him. He looked at
her In his endeavors to fathom 1t all.
She was really very pretty. When he
looked at her she was leaning on the
side Of tie boat, her head resting on her
arm.
How perfectly idylic this Is" she
finally said. What comfort 1t is to
be able to sit silent when one feels in
clined, and not feel that one Is playing
the bore. 1t is sign Of true friend.
ship, Mark. l could not do SO with
anyone else but you. but you under
stand" She looked at him with q
sweet, grave smile. I'VE ought to be
good friends after knowing each other
for all these years, Oughtn't we!"
Mark nodded. Friends always
seemed to me such an inadequate, cold
word" he said. Friends and acquaint-
ances are the same to me-"
.'Oh, no, oh, nor she cried. "Ac.
quaintances mean so little; they are
l have 50 many. but of friends
SO few. You are one of my chiefest,
and"
Il always thought we were more than
friends" he said.
"Iou silly boy, how could we be-"
She replied with a little laugh. but the
laugh did not ring true.
well, you may know what the old
folks"
Mark. do you know that 1t Is nearly
o'clock, and that promised to be at
at 40? We must really
90 now
Later that day 1t occurred to the
nan that he had not thought of the
Irish girl for several hours He did not
think of her till the moon rose. and lie
went out on the headland and sat alone
with his pipe.
Ruth, do you feel inclined to come
FOR stroll:" The girl was sitting in
arge basket chair in the garden ON the
,liff top. In her hand she held a maya.
zine, but she was not reading; she was
looking out over the sea, thinking of
which called up a little
smile on her lips.
She looked so sweet and fresh ant
,OCl. her soft white gown showing heI
pretty sunburnt cheeks and the glori
ous color of her hair. Mark approach.
ed her with his request almost diff |
1ently. During the last week or two
he had found that she did not jump al
his suggestions with her old alacrity-
IN fact. it had taken all his time and all
his tact to secure her company at all,
and so occupied had he been that he
had no time to think at all Of the Irish |
girl; at least he had only found time OF |
In evening over his pipe, and two OF |
hese evenings he had spent in thinking |
If Ruth.
To-day. however. Ruth willingly con |
'ented to accompany him. Let us &C |
IN the heather" she said. land yor
must talk to me, for l am feeling fear |
'uIly lazy"
So they strolled along the narrow |
ane inland until they came to the |
moor, where great stringy beds Of pur
lie and white heather stretched away
or miles and the low hedges were
lraped with festoons Of honeysuckle
md "old mans beard" Close to one
II these hedges they found a seat, or
It least. Ruth found q seat; Mark die
lot want one; he lay on the heather oe
ide her.
Mark. this is an earthly paradise"
he exclaimed. as she leaned bach
gainst a soft cushion of sweet-scentet
liyme. IF l were superstitious
vould say it were too good to last"
Il think 1t is" said Mark, rather
I'VE seldom have a wall
+ anything together now, Ruth"
''No:" She was not prepared for thi,
udden attack and grew confused. The
lan noticed ii and determined to MAKE
lost of it. Ruth, dear. you have
hanged lately; we are not such goo6
riends as We used to be. Why is it
ell me"'