Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1897-04-14
CHAPTER Nv.


own mistaken theories respecting Miles
O'Hara's sister, ID the emotion which sue
ceeds that first one of astOnished admira-
ton in Eric Llewellyn's mind. She is
discomposed by the steady. settled gaze
of his eyes, as any girl might naturally
be, but the displeased haughtiness of the
flush that overspreads her face up to her
white, delicately- -veined temples Ii some
what of fresh surprise to him. And
yet, and yet he likes her none the worse
for this gleam of msidenly scorning--for
the proud, womanly modesty which is
offended by even the license of a look.
Sylvester O'Hara comes in with his
heavy. noisy tread, sits down sideways
in his chair, and puts his big red hands
on the snowy tablecloth. He glances at
Miles and his friend first, and then the
sullen, crafty eyes under the lowering
brows turn on his fair stepsister in her
pretty dress. She wears no ornaments,
for she has none to wear, except a little
old-fashioned brooch of the shape called
comet" with a body of sapphire and
rose diamonds, and little brilliant gilt
tering on the silver tail" Sylvester's
eyes fasten greedily on the spark of light
from the diamond at the extremity of the
pin.
Isn't that fathers little diamond pin
you're wearing. MurrieT" he demands, in
a hoarse undertone which is audible
enough.
YES" Muriel answers. quietly: at used
to be fathers, Sylvester"
He left It to me-" the boy says, rude
ly and positively. 81 asked him for it.
and he said was to have it."
"Hushr' Muriel returns, the color Wis
IDLY burning In her cheeks, and casting
beseeching glance at Miles, whose
wrathful eyes are glittering. You
should not discuss family matters in pub
lic."
This is said very reprovingly, but still
with a pleasant little, humorous smile.
which makes more than amends for all
severity. Major Llewellyn thinks.
well, but still you know rights right!
retorts the charming youth with grin,
seemingly having very little feeling one
way or the other in the matter beyond
that of annoying or mOrtifying his step
sister, land that diamond pin is mine,
Miss Murrie.''
"Will you have some more tea, Sylves-
ter?" she asks, smiling kindly on the ILL
conditioned, ill-natured boy.
mo, 1 won't. I'll have my diamond
sylvester Win SduCy,
giggling laugh, and impudent grin.
You cannot have what you cannot
get" answered Muriel, shortly and stern
nature, having forced her into the sem
blance at least Of que rrel, is satisfied.
Cant get! Why can't l get it," he
tone. ''You got it-I don't know where
nr hnu,---v thia NTH of ms lt,v.
nifty that might have belonged to a bel
dame of sixty-"but it isn't yours. any
hOw-not honestly"
sharp thorns had developed themselves
in the cushions Of his chair, and Miles
rises and strides over to the tea table
with his tea-cup in his hand, puts it down
quietly and lays his hand on Sylvester's
shoulder, and Muriers face whitens to her
very lips.
What the poor little girl has been try
ing so patiently to avert is coming to
pass after ala family Quarrel-and poor
Muriel has reason to tremble at the bare
thought-a vulgar family squabble pos
sibly carried out to disgraceful degree
before this stranger, this English gentle
man, Miles friend. She is hardly aware
of the passion of troubled entreaty and
apology that is flung in the glance of her
dilating eyes towards Eric Llewellyn as
he politely endeavors to be deaf and blind
to any untoward possibilities. She is
certainly not aware of how swift and
sure is her mute appeal to him to be
noted and obeyed.
Sylvester" Miles says, and he is SO
Quiet-at white heat of fury, as it were
that the valiant young gentleman is
cowed for the nonce. 'if hear you utter
one word more Of the impertinent false
hoods with which you have been teasing
Muriel for these last ten minutes, will
turn you out Of the roomr
''Oh, Miles, please don'tr' Muriel mutt
tiers In . sort Of agony Of alarm and