Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1897-04-28

rejoins calmly. "a do not exactly see," he
adds, with a placid sarcasm that makes
Muriel vince, "what have done to pro-
woke your enmity toward me. beyond the
fact that l offered you the highest trib-
ute of regard and admiration which it was
in my power to offer you. But let that
pass. You are very young, Muriel," he
says, with q smile, land am too old to
play the ideal lover of nineteen. That il
about it, dare say"
NO. indeed! No, indeed!' she says,
with impulsive eagerness to atone q little
for her fault toward him. 81 do not think
SO at all" this with fervor and enthu-
siastic lrishism that makes him smile
again, but secretly, as he looks at the
klndling light in her eyes and the shy,
fervent admiration of him that is visible
there. II like you very well-that is
! should wish to be friends for Miles
sake"
They are standing on the soft, messy
sward, dappled with the yellow birch
leaves, when they pause, Muriel with
some shame and amazement, Eric with
hidden satisfaction
Dear mel" she says, with a shy, girlish
laugh, blushing vividly, and looking, as
she always does look. with that ''celes-
tial rosy red" tint glowing through her
clear, fair whiteness, most temptingly
sweet and lovable, Il never minded, l
did not notice when we came to the cross
roads! We must go home by the ruins of
the old church now"
Il have something to say to you, Mu-
riel. before we go home" Major Level
lyn says, not alluding to the mistake in
their path, which indeed has been quite
voluntary on his side. Il had a good deal
to say to you when followed you this
evening"" he goes on, with slight, rather
reprOachful smile, "a great deal l want
ed to tell you, and to consult you about;
but you have simplified it all for me, and
left me with nothing 10 say now except
this. Do you wish me to make your
brother understand at once, and as plain
ly as you have made me understand il,
that all promises and agreements made
this morning are null, void, and rs utter
ly at an end as if they never were thought
of? Or do you not think you could let him
down easy?" he says, smiling kindly and
persuasively. Let him find out by de-
grees that we have changed our minds,
and not disappoint and vex him in the
very same day that we had given him
such pleasant hopes"
II cannot deceive Miles, Murlel says,
firmly, though her face pales at the
thought of his storm of anger and re-
proaches.
Il had not the slightest intention of
deceiving Miles," Eric retorts, beyond
the keeping silence for a few days. as l
leave Ireland tomorrow evening"
Leave Ireland?" Muriel calculates.
and swift dismay shadows all the fair
young face upturned to gaze on his in
the soft evening light, and her eyes are
glimmering through thick looming tears.
1t is as much as he can do to restrain
himself from snatching her to his heart,
and closing the sweet, dewy. wistful eyes
with a score Of kisses. But he does re-
strain himself, and answers her as grave
ly as ever.
"Yes, and that is why made the re-
quest for Miles sake" he says, quietly.
81 should write to Miles at the end of a
week or ten days, explaining everything.
However" he says, watching the agitat-
ed young face closely. Il bow to your
decision to tell Miles this evening"
mo, no: not this EVENING" Muriel says.
hurriedly and unsteadily, In a half whis-
per. Tomorrow. when you are gone.
will tell him myself"
ITO be continued)