Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1897-02-24
CHAPTER N.

tdaf1 En- Al.
Two gentlemen were sitting in small
psiVate parlor at the Birnam Arms. They
aere both pale and both dark: otherwise
there WAS not much resemblance betwesa
them. One was somewhat effeminate IN
appearance; the other was tall. sinewy
and vigorous us-looking-iittle altered from
the man to whom Stella Haeburn LAD
once given her maiden heart.
His companion, Ralph Kinscott, was
leaning back in q large arm chair. with
cigar between his lips. His small features
we're lighted up with an expression OF the
keenest amusement.
SO she had little love affair before
she came to DunkeldP' he was excisim-
ing. This is most interesting
thought she looked too innocent for this
wicked world"
:'She's innocent enough" Harrington
was beginning suikily, but KingscOtt in
corrupted him with a mocking laugh.
"Oh, she's lady. a snowflake. pearl
We ai! know that: Moncrief's besOtted
on her baby face already. Shea just
the style he's Likely TO 60 mad about.
fair. gentle, blue-eyed, Eslden-haired,
sua 81 the rest of it-as great contrast
80 his Grst wife as could possibly be
Imagined
Wv nat was lhG urst Mrs. Mouc'ien
!ise, ilenf'
She Has my half sister. you know.
Well, she was like Molly, only there was
a little more red in her hair and the tint
of her eye. Marie and l had different
snothers: there WAS Basque blood in hers.
l don't know how she would have lived
with lIOncrieff as long as she did II
mad not been there to calm the two down
hax hai hai
managed well. y0n may conclude froIo
the fact that ] have had free quarters
at Torresmuir ever since"
The new Mrs. Moncrief will have
sornstSing to say to that. imagine" said
Hanniuston, dryly.
"Yes-confound her" He looked as il
he would like to use a stronger word.
Does she like you muchr-Hanning-
ssa's tone vas malicious.
Hates me like poison, j believe. No.
1 suppose l shall have TO go. bag and
baggage, and make myself comfortable
soraswh here else. Not at opes: but in six
noaths or SO, if nothing destroys beT IN
6uencs IL the meantime"
What would destroy heI inhuencer'
Well have az idea or two"
Let's hear them"
Are you on my side, Harrington
The girl behaved shabbily to yon. you
say"
Cut me in the presence OF half dozen
# my friends. Yes, she made II rather
awkward for me. You know Lady Va
leucia Gilderoy IAN old friend OF mine.
She made up her mind that l had given
the girl good cause for Gffense, and has
turned the cold shoulder to me ever since
done me a good deal of mischief. J can
tell you"
Miss Stella must be a spitsful httle
mink You would not object to See her
pride have fall, thenr'
mo, shouldn't"
And it is, of course, my interest TO
lessen her influence as much as possible.
Well, there are two ways in which to do
IT,"
.'Two?.
"One III keep to myself" said Kings
eott, with an ugly smile. The other de-
pends somewhat on you. You say You
have letters from herr"
Hannington's face flushed.
What if you let Moncrieff have a
glance at themF
II don't see the use of that"
why, don't you know that Alan Mon
erien is the most Jealous. the most sus-
picious man alivef If l know anything
of women, niy dear Jack, she won't have
Told him a word about you, or only what
sae pleases; and she will be mortally
afraid Of his getting to know the true
state of the case"
"Well," growled Harrington, "ths way
10 punish her, then, will be Q good fright
] shouldn't mind doing that"
"Molly will have a fair fortune" said
hiolly's uncle. "She has her mothers
mouey-comes into it at her marriage. or
when she is twenty-one."
Kinsscott thought that he caught sight
Of an odd glitter In John Hannington's
black eyes. But he went on discreetly.
"Moncrieff has the idea that he ought
70 tie her up very Tight think he's mar
he'd pretty Stella with the idea of get
ting q jailer for his poor child. Alan will
6nd q model husband, some worthy,
pSosy, reighboring laird, who VIII keep
her In the Highlands nins months IN the
year; and that will be poor Moly's future
fate"
Not bitg" said Harrington, abruptly.
"She'd not stand II, my dear fellow. She
would bolt"
"She had better bolt before marriage
than after" was Kingscott cynical re-
sponse. To which his friend made no
answer, but sat with his foot moving
meditatively to and fro.
Kinescott nodded and smiled. IF you
stay where you are for the next half
hour you Will see your old fame most
likely. c-aered the open carriage p be
sent down. Now l must 60 and and my
cub hope he's all right l left him II
the bar"
kingscott went downstairs to seek ber-
tie, with whom he meant to go to the rail-
way station to welcome the bride and
bridegroom home. He could not hnd
BERTHE for some time. and began to feel
half yexed and half alarmed BY the lads
disappearance. especially a. b received
a hint from the attendant that the younS
gentleman seemed . wee ~ to1A -e1 .