Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1897-09-22
CHAPTER XIv.-(ContiuuedO

hiidonan to put on her skates for her and
to be her first partner. She had told off
Ned Crosmont to do duty at the feet of
tie Croydon girls, much to the disgust of
tier mother, who loathed him and never
spoke 70 him without affecting to have
forgotten his name.
We poor women shall be dreadful,
short of partners TODAY co mrs+n;t
monopolize you long" she said as .he held
out a slim foot in a laced boot that fitted
ike a glove. 81 have had n lot of disap-
pointments. Thank Won yerv much. Now
put on your own skates. while I take a
preliminary canter and feel nv feet"
She wheeled about gracefully for a few
moments, until he was readv TO ioin her:
then, giving him her hand. she elided
away with him down the frozen surface
of the lake, chattering and laughing gay
iy enough, though all the while she gave
him the impression that she was in a state
OF high nervous excitement, to which the
active exercise gave a welcome vent. They
exchanged very few words as they sped
ever the ice on their way back to the mar
Quee, where Lord Kndonan broke off in
q kindly talk with Alma Crosmont, to
fetch a warm velvet mantle which with
his own hands he wrapped tenderly round
his wife.
Il see you are quite first-rate perform
er," he said to Armathwaite. "Now take
Mrs. Crosmont a little way. She looks
as If she wanted warming terribly. And
then, when the snow comes down, which
will be within ten minutes if am a jud ge
of the weather, you bring her I'D to The
Crags whether she likes it or uot-mind.
l say whether she likes it or not"
"You ought to have skated with me
performer after Lady Kildonan," said
Alma, Is they started.
This was true. Though she skated verv
fairly, Alma had neither the grace, the
speed, the daring, nor the robust health of
the beautiful blonde who was so anxious
to pose as an invalid. The touch of her
hand through her glove was cold and al
most damp, and the clasp of her fingers,
after the firm, feversh grip of Lady Kill
domains, was pitifully weak and clinging
Come" he said, gently, looking down
at the pale face which excitement was al
ready bringing a shell-like flush, "give
me your other hand, too, and step out
boldly l won't let you fall"
She was weak and nervous at 6rst,
afraid to trust her own little feet; but
graduallyohhe firm, helpful touch of his
hand, tb Ting that she was safe win
him gave her confidence, and by the time
they had gone half the distance he had
reached with his first partner, she looked
as fresh and as fair as an opening rose,
and her soft brown eyes looked up at him
with plaintive yet innocent allurement,
as she told him that he and Lord KildO-
nan and the skating had made her feel Q
different woman.
Lord Kildoman commanded me to take
h.
came said Armathwaite, looking up and
receiving on his face two or three of the
fakes which now began to fall fast. 81
think we had better be turning oack that
way now.
NO, no, salG Alma, quicki!' Goh
want to go 10 lhe Crags. l never nave
been there, and never VIII go.
lie heslfaled lew moments anu 'heh
suggested, dihdently:
Don't you think, perhaps, !, would De
wise to go just once, even at the sacrlnce
of your own inclination! Forglve me for
suggesting this, but you nave peen Kinu
enough TO treat me with so much conn
dence mat ieeI may venture 10 au'ise
you, IN the absence OF your oioer irieho
aud counsellor. Ii IS oest 10 De conciiia-
tory when one can.
"Conciliatory! oh, you dont unoer
stand l am more than conciiiatory-i
am broken-spirlted' answered Anna pi'-
terry. NOBODY wants me d. Ane Nfas'
but dear OLD Lord hioohan-
But is II not true that Lady Ahoonan
has often asked you there!
Yes, because she knew snould nor
come. And l nave more than fancy-
j have conviction that there IS nothing
my husband desires less than that
should accept any OF the numerous in'f
tations get 10 can there. uoh Aho"
his reason; there Is some "5 5stef1 apou'
It.
"Will you on this occasion sacrifice
your own feelings, and brave displeasure
iv occeptiny the invitation? My reason
for asking you is simply this: If there
Is n mystery. il will be the best step you
can take towards clearing 1t up"
She crew excited. nervous at the sug-
pestion- and clung tremblingly to his
hands as he guided her steps toward the
marquee, in front of which the skaters
were now busiiy taking off their skates
before hurrying towards the private road
Crags. 1t was quite a painful symptom
of that weakening of her own will of
which Alma had previously complained
that although her agitation went on in
creasing as they neared the shore. she
altered no single word in protest 1t was
5ia;cuIt to pursue his plan in face of this
silent, helpless suffering; but Armathwaite
Col, sure that here was coil which must
he attacked boldly and at any open point.
so he took off first her skates, and then
his own very quickly and quietly, and
beIpod her along the plank which led to
the shore without further discussion. BY
this time. however. all signs of outward