Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1896-02-26


from the hearth af.
ter replenishing the fire, and tiptoed oul
of the room and down the softly carpeteo
stairs, cogitating:
.'I wonder what her sorrow may be, "
she murmured, running her hand thought.
fully along the heavy walnut balustrade.
at must be love trouble, for every time
st. Valentines Day comes around she
grows paler and keeps her room, wanting
to be alone"
And the observing Jane WAS correct In
her conclusion.
Truly the blaze was all the company
Miss Seymour cared for tonight of all
nights, for out of the cleaning west seem
ed to come a tenderly uttered Goodbye.
Hepsie; can never forget"
And tonight. a. the dusk of Valentine
Eve deepeued around her, Hepsie Sey-
mour sobbed up against the window
pane: Il think he still remembers. i have
remembered until my heart is cankered
through with the bitterness all its own"
The stars were coming out now, one by
Bne, and great shadows trailed through
the shrubbery and crept around THE
Oaks"
A panied face seemed to rise out of the
night and search her soul with its dark.
yet kindly eyes, as once, on a Valentine
Eve, six years ago. She turned to the
hearth with a sigh once more. 'fHow |
suffer-, she moaned, rocking to and fro,
with the blaze for company.
So the time which brings loving avow-
ais and sweet remembranCes for the world
Of happy hearted youth, and warmer pull
satious to the hearts of the elderly lovers.
only brought an agony OF regret to the
heircss of Oak Hill.
This was why, then. that In her elc
gant,y appointed rooms. with arms folded
over her bosom. she rocked wearily 10 and
fro. recounting the brilliant and saddest
of lifc's memories.
Up from the valley came chime of
Givery, musical notes. She paused. We'd
ding bells" she murmured, impa tiently,
going back to the window and throwing
open the sash to listen.
six years ago tonight" she continued.
y sent my hearts truest and best away
because he was poor! O, that l could re-
caIl the past and welcome Horace back
snce more; but | cannot; woe is mer'
The bells ceased ringing: but Hepsie.
beedless of the cold, wintry air, stood
silently clasping her hands, and gazing
far down the shadowy vale of St. Cath,
crime and time together.
Yes" she said, presently, 81 have writ
ten, and, though he may spurn my con
fession, coming so late as it does. l am
glad | sent the letter. He has made ne
sign; perhaps even now he hates me for
the wretched past.
NO matter. | have borne a great deal.
can bear more.
Il can bear to be ignored by the man
whose love means life to me. because l
seserve 1t, but God pity me!'
She closed the sash and went back to the
ire, kindled "for company" and sat down.
The glow of the CHEEKY flame fickered
pver the soft, satin gown and touched the
learstained face dreamily.
80. that he still loved mer' She clasp
ID her hands passionately and continued:
All the wealth of the Oaks might 20 al
pne sweep of fortunes wave did the re-
iurning tide bear Horace Winters love to
ne. But, alasI | cannot undo.
"God only knew; and with Him AL
things were possible 1t might be yet
and tonight was the anniversary-whai
Is it. John"
The polite servant stood at the open
door. with cap in hand.
There's an old man at the gate a.
wants a cold bite, ma'am, and cravin' 9
shelter from the bltter night
IAN old man? Well, bring him into tn.
lifting room below and l will see about
It"
Hepsie sighed again, this time almos,
conteutedly-if she could not comfort her.
self she would comfort another-apd, fol
lowing John downstairs, she waited. "a
tramp, possibly" she said, YEARLY; "bui
namps have souls"
-bai Joh n
into the pleasant comfort of CHEEKY
warmth.
You are hungryT'' Miss Seymour said
fhe words with a mist of sympathy In her
aark eyes Before her sat a shiveHng
man. with the snow flakes sprinkling his
Ehitened locks and poor attire. Despite
bis rough exterior, she felt instinctively
that he was man of culture and had seen
better times.
'Yes. ma am, and very cold. The world
hasn't a great deal it can spare to the un-
fortunate" He put his hand to his head
and looked thoughtfully into the crate.
Hepsie ordered something to eat and
made no reply. Somehow the words op
pr-a wound she had fopily hoped was
ieaIed. Drawing aside rhe neavy CRIMSON
mrtain she looked out once more Into the
hight.
And tomorrow Is Valentines Day!'
Jhe said this involuntsrily in an under
one to herself; but the old man by the
hearth was listening. He covered MS
ace with bis hands and sat very still.
God be mercifulr' She let so the cur
ain with Jhis petition and turned toward
he occupant of the hearth. He had also
leard the prayer, but he made no be-
rayal of his knowledge; he only raised
iptn rp