The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1897-06-10


81 fear then, my dear, you are
doomed to solitary maidenhood for
the rest of your natural existence, ~
answered the other, as the two girls,
arm in arm, paced up and down the
broad terrace before Colonel Rip
ley's mansion.
His only daughter, who spoke with
all the proud assertion of her twenty
summers, had reigne1 sole mistress of
his home and heart for eighteen
long years, since the young wife with
her dying strength had placed the
prattling baby i'll his arms and with
mute eloquence besought him to let no
other fill the place it was Gods will
she should no longer enjoy He had
given her no answer, save the kiss he
had pressed upon the brow already
growing cold; but happy smile was
her reward, which fingered on her dead
face even when the coffin lid hid it
from his view.
Very richly had his young daughter
remunerated his tender, solicitous
care of her; little willful, trihe
spoiled, perhaps, but with heart as
pnre and lovely within as the image
outwardly which enshrined it.
The friend who had rallied her SO
gayly on the IDEAS she thought so lit =
tie likely to find fulfillment stood to
her i'll sisters place, and had GRACE
Rivers in reality been allied to her by
the tie of blood the bond of affection
between the two girls could scarce
have been more binding.
$40! now the conquering hero
comes" Grace sang aloud, as turning
at the end of the terrace her quick
eyes first caught sight of tall, manly
form rapidly approaching them.
At the words faint blush rose to
Mamie Ripley's cheek, but when n
moment later the new conner took her
welcoming hand, it lay quiet and pass
i've in his own.
You have no conception how i'm
portant conversation you have inter
rupted," " laughed Miss Rivers, as after
greeting his young hostess he turned
to her, his handsome face wearing n
sunny smile, his eyes constantly dane
ing as with hidden merriment.
Indeed! And may | not lend my
voice in its arbitration?' he questioned
in rich musical tones. Perhaps may
be able to act as umpire on such an i'm
portant occasion"
I'VE prefer leaving it an open ques-
tion," decided Miss Ripley. "Not, Mr..
Warrington, but that your opinion
would be of inestimable value; but
this is case time alone can prove right
or wrong. Grace's mind is already
made up on that point, and fear mine
also. But there are the horses. Will
you not Join us in our drives?" And n
few moments later, as the three were
bowled rapidly along the smooth, easy
road, the exhilarating motion, the fresh
evening air soon prove all thought of
the discussion from every mind save
one.
But when that night Mamie Ripley,
having dismissed her maid, sat alone,
in white wrapper, her long, lovely
hair unbound, by the open window,
whence glittering in the beams of the
moonlight she could see the tall tur-
rents of Warrington Place, every word
was recalled to her memory. She could
remember no time when Cecil War
rington's handsome face had not been
familiar to her. As children they had
played together, and when they had
been separated for years. he TO study
abroad, and she finishing her educa-
tion at home, they had met again after
80 long an absence, although all sign
of the old boyishness had fed, the
laughing brown eyes were all I'M
changed, and Mamie felt anywhere she
would have recognized him.
For few weeks he seemed trying
in vain to reconcile the flaxen- haired,
sunny-faced little girl, who had 30
sweetly pressed her lips to his in good
bye, with the tall, dignified young lady
who came forward with such charming
grace to welcome him to the home over
which she now presided; but once
reconcied to the alteration, new
Light shone in his eyes when they