Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1897-06-09

proud, ana TOO amD1tlOuS, ana 100 cdicu-
lating and mercenary to let him know.
though I knew he cared for me. So you
see, Muriel'-and she pushes gently away
her clinging arms-'you need not credit
me with any great depth of tenderness.
or constancy. Here lies the only man
ever loved, or shall love. But l am going
to marry another man for all that l am
going to marry Captain Leverson as soon
as he is rich enough" She even laughs
harshly at Muriels shocked eyes and
quivering lips.
"Not without love. surely?" the young
er girl urges. "Oh, Edith! Not without
love. 1t IL q crime to marry without
love!'
"Lover repeats Edith, drearily. Love
and tears go together; love and death are
often side BY side: love and woe are
synonymous. What has love done for
you, Muriel? Left you with a blighted
youth and widowed heart before you are
twenty! And yet you love him"
"Yes, Edith" Muriel says. simply and
clearly. IL love my husband, Eric Llew.
ellyn, very dearly"
And then Edith Cameron puts her arms
around the slender figure. trembling with
emotion, draws her into her warm, sister
iy embrace, and kisses her tenderly, while
smiles and tears struggle for the mastery
in her face.
/ knew that, my dear little Muriel! l
knew that from the first" she says, soft
ly, ..but I meant to make you confess IL!
And am almost equally sure on the other
side"
ION Eric's side" Muriel asks. flushing
deeply, and then paling until her very lips
are cold and white. He does not love
me, Edith. know it WELL"
Il do not question your superior right
to a decision on that point, my dear,
Edith says, in her careless, graceful way,
.only, if / suggested the possibility of
your being a little mistaken, what pledge
would you demand to prove my words
true?"
What pledgeT repeats Muriel, and her
heart quickens its beatings. Il don't un-
derstand you! What do you know? What
have you to tell me? Oh. Edith. do tell
NE if you know anything that l don't
know!" she pleads piteously. did he
ever write to you or is he coming home.
or what?"
He did not write to me, certainly,
Edith says, NOR do know any more than
you do of his intentions. But l believe,
Murel, he sent ii message to you which
you have never received, a message OF his
love to YOU"
(which l never received! Mnriei ex-
claims, her eyes cleaning. Who Kept
my husbands message from me!
That l cannot tell you. for do not
know" Edith answers, briefly, but there
viii :. friend of mine at C,trnaghdene
this evening. you shall hear what he
has to tell you. Mine would De 6rnJ' 49, 49,
say Evidence, 80 l would rather sag no
more,
Only tell me one thing" poor Muriel
pleads, with childish entreaty, hardly
abls to believe her senses in the mingled
pain and pleasure of Edith's news, lis
this person who is to tell me- friend
q Eric's?"
Certainly he is." Edith says. with a
And Of yours, Edith7'
II trust So" she answers. coldly and
gravely, and the smile fades, 'since he is
the man I am going to marry"
Captain Leverson! repeats Muriel, IL
an accent of disappointment. II thought
Il hoped il was some one who had seen
Eric lately"
1T is Captain Leverson," Edith re-
peats. "And, by the way. Muriel," she
asks, playfully, turning the conversation.
when are you going to treat yourself to
a jacket, you little miser?'
''Not this winter" Muriel says, winc-
ing q little In girlish discomfort, though
she tries to speak unconcernedly.
"why, dearT" urges Edith, looking
amazed. "You have plenty of money, and
you could get a nice one for thirty-6ve
suineas."
mo; I cannot afford one this winter"
repeats Muriel. II am sorry if look
shabby; but I really cannot spend thirty
Eve guineas on a new jacket"
Because you have given all your hus-
bands generous allowance to you into his
mothers hands, disdaining, in your pride
and unforgiving temper. to be beholden to
him." says Edith, coolly, "and because
you gave Hester Stapleton a hundred
pounds to crafty her vanity and self-as-
sertion; you are SO foolishly generous and
childishly desirous of pleasing people?'
"How do you knowW asks Muriel.
flushing scarlet and looking troubled.
by . process Of induction, my dear"
Edith answers, dryly.
CTo be continued)