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

CHAPTER VIII.


preston of Miles O'Hara's face as he
watched his sister and Eric Llewellyu
passing the window hastily and in silence,
with averted faces, deepens perceptibly
as he scans the looks of both as they enter
the room.
Had nice walk :" he inquiries, short
ly, OF no one in particular, as they are
seated, and he commences to carve the
cold roast mutton.
Yes. capital walk" Eric says, pleas
sntly, noticing Master Sylvester's sly
eyes stealthily upraised.
81 hope you will not think have been
too precipitate. Miles," he says, easily,
knowing Miles mind 80 well. "But--to-
day asked your sister to be my wife, and
she did not say, no."
Il didn't say yes either" Muriel ut
tiers indistinctly. burning crimson to the
tips Of her little shell-like ears, and blind.
ed with tears, whilst she feels an over.
whelming desire to burst into laughter
But you will say it now," Eric says,
coolly advancing towards her: and 50
Muriel instantly retreats. with q terrified
instinct that the scene under the fir trees
10 going to be repeated, and as Miles has
started forward from his chair, she il
caught and prisoned between the two.
"An right, Murrie! What is the mat
ter, old girl?" Miles says, laughing ex-
citedly, as Muriel clings to him desper-
ately. so Eric has asked you to be his
wife. and you didn't say no'-quick work,
upon my wordl A case Of love at first
sight, l suppose, eh, Murrie" And he
laughs again, and Muriel can feel him
trembling from head to foot. and feels
that his thin, damp hands are burning
like Goals of fire and his heart beating
loudly.
But l am waiting for Muriel to say
yes" objects Eric. rather frigidly.
IAN right, old fellow" Miles laughs
again, grasping one of Eric's hands tight
ly, whilst he tries to lift Muriel away
with the other. shell say yes pres
emily, never fear"
"You are very ready to give me away.
Miles," she says, in coolest tones of bit
terest reproach. "To avoid your displeas-
are, therefore, will give Major Llewellyn
my promise to become his wife. Does that
please him and you?"
There is tragedy In every tone and ges-
ture of the quivering young form-the
pale face. with the great dark eyes ablaze
with pride deeply shadowed with pain.
and she is drawing haughtily away to-
wards the door, when Eric hastily inter-
poses himself with a look Of entreaty to-
ward Muriel, and look of stormy re-
proach toward poor Miles.
Bless my soul, grill" he says, his hag
gard face flaming what are you afraid
of that you can't speak out at once and
say whether you like Eric and whether
you are willing to marry him or whether
you're not! You can do as you please, l
suppose. There's no one going to force
or to urge you. We're only waiting to
hear what you wish to say!'
His sister lifts her head and looks at
him steadfastly, with an anguish of sor-
row and rebuke in the white, sad, young
face, and he winces perceptibly beneath
her gaze.
Then, Miles, l wish to say that l am
quite capable of doing as l please with
out your assistance" she says, In a low.
tense voice of suppressed emotion; and,
with a slight inclination of her head to
Eric Llewellyn, she walks quietly out of
the room like young queen in her anger
and dignity.
Miles stares after her in wrath and
amazement for an instant, and then, as he
meets Eric Llewellyn's eyes, he bursts
into a nervous laugh.
Upon my honor, I've caught it this
time and no mistake, and it serves me
right" he says.
1T does" Eric says dryly.
Upon my honor il does" repeats Miles.
with excited fervor. The little one is
as naughty as a princess, and L ought
to have been more cautious how l spoke
to her on such topic"
"You ought" Eric says grimly, "and
you ought-excuse me if | presume on
fr,a 1ahi TO haC E.r. l.a-a
eisret and whisky at luncheon"
DO you mean to say you think the
couple of glasses had have excited mef''
Miles demands angrily.
Il don't think, / know" Eric says,
tersely $50 excited at all events, you must
allow, that you could not discuss a deli
cate tonic with your sister without hurt
ing and offending her deeply"
81 haven't hurt or offended her deeply"
Miles retorts shortly. One would almost
fancy, one who did not know you. that.
as l remarked before, you had forgotten
your role in the performance"
what is my role, then, pray!' Eric
asks, coldiy, but with his eyes on the dim
pattern of the faded carpet.
mot Muriel's lover at all events" Miles
says. shortly, though her husband
hope you will be-"
"Some people say a good husband must
be a lover" Eric says briefly, pacing up
and down the room in restless sort of
fashion, as if his thoughts will not suffer
him to rest According to you. shall
make a bad husband to Muriel"
.Muriel must take the chance of that" 4"
Miles says, abruptly, the hOarseness that
emotion always brings in his weak voice
making his words scarcely audible, you
: will be very kind to her. and careful of
her, know, and l hope you will be pa
tent with her; she is proud and high
spirited, poor little Muriei."
kind and careful and patient? Yes.
hope SO, certainly" Eric says, slowly,
but Go you think that will make her
happy, or make me happy"
"You must take your chance of that"
Miles retorts, with quick, deep sigh, and
there IL q silence of few minutes
CHAPTER IN.
"By-the-by, Miles," Eric begins, some
what irrelevantly, lat what time does the
second post 60 out!"
Its gone" Miles says, laconically.
That's nuisance" Eric says, curtly,
IN his turn. Il meant to write home to
tell them to expect me on Saturday"
ITO expect you:" interrupts Miles,
staring and indignant.
"Yes-must run over for a few days, to
explain things and announce things, and
- FORTH" Eric says. little confusedly:
"and to make the matters mind happy by
telling her l really am going to marry and
settle myself; and to tell Hettie, Of
course"
And Miss Cameron?" questions Miles,
with a curious change coming over his
flushed, worn face.
mo, indeed" Eric says, icily; Il shall
not trouble myself or trouble Lord OPP
pingham's bride to give her any informs-
tion respecting my private affairs. But
my cousin Hettie will be glad; she will
be pleased and concerned with anything
that pleases and concerns me-" he con-