Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1897-07-28

| .hings."
YOU can surely trust your mother"
nurmurcd my mother.
Aud my discretion" said ny asnt.
4 "wen.' said. 81 have been told he Is
.ruel 20 his mother"
Really cried the two ladies in
breath.
Ills mother told me so herself"
"Iow sadr' said my mother.
"And what else?" asked my aunt.
Another relation Of his told me he
was depraved.
Poor. poor Constancev' whispered
my mother.
"And would probably end badly.
IT expect he drinks" said my aunt,
grimly.
Docs Constance know thiaT' Sked
my mother.
Il don't think So"
"You did not tell herr"
"Of course net"
| II consider II your duty to-
Il really cannot"
Then 1 WILL" said my aunt, resO
lutely.
/ Nv hat / have said has been in con.
fidence.'
Il do not care"
| 81 beg you not to do SO.
1T is my duty. l am too fond OF
| Consta nee TO allow her to throw herself
away on This worthless man."
| l shrugged my shoulders. DO as you
please but don't mention my name. BY
the way, Constance said she would
proba bly, cal this afternoon"
| At that moment the bell rang.
That may be She" said my aunt,
flying to the window. at is"
got up slowly and sauntered into
the conservatory, which ad3oips tho
drawing room From behind q fEfe1d-
ly palm could see without being seen.
| saw my aunt hook toward my mother.
If We open her eyes," l heard her
whisper, lit may pave the way for
Alfred"
My mother said nothing, but l saw
the same hope shine from her eyes.
The door opened and the servant an
nounced Constance. She came forward
with a little eager rush; then JOpPed
short. emba rrasscd by the want Of re-
ciprocity.
I'VE are glad to see you." said my
mother, and kissed her.
| NV aunt came forward I'VE were
Just speaking of you" she said, solemn
ly. "Sit down."
Constance looked a little crushed. Il
thought Alfred would have told YOU"
she murmured.
We have heard" began my aunt.
"Hush," intcrposrd my mother.
Come nearer me- Constance. Won't
you take off your hat?'
| Constance came and sat by her side.
Il was anxious to come and tell you
| that-that-
| IF You are alluding to your engage
mcnt," said my aunt somewhat Sc
vcrcly, I'VE have already heard of it."
"Ynu have heardr' cried Constance.
| With the deepest sorrow.
Constance drew herself up.
You do not approve?' she asked,
proudly.
We love you too much.' said my
mother. gently.
Constance looked bewildered.
You are too good for the wretch"
cried my aunt. What! Oh, what do
you meanT' exclaimed Constance.
IF you marry this man." continued
my aunt, vigorously, you will re-
gret it,
MY mother took her hand. MY sis
ter should not tell you this so sud
denly
| 1t is my duty to speak, and 1 WILL"
cried my aunt. Il will not let Con
stance unite herself tn this man with
| her eyes closed"
! What have YOU against himT de-
ynanded Constance, n red spot begin
ming to burn in each cheek.
"He drinks" answered my aunt, al
most truimphantly.
Constance sank back in the cushions.
Il don't believe it, she said, family.
He iil-treits his mOther-beats her,
} believe" continued my aunt.
! This cannot he true" cried Con-
stance Mrs. Granville, tell me-
My mother nodded sadly.
Alas! l cannot deny it."
Constance arose. This is awfulr'
she said, holding on to the hack of the
| sofa. Il could never have believed it,"
| She put her hand TO her forehead. 1t
is like a bad dream"
MY poor, dear Constance" mur-
INJURED my mother, rising and putting
her arms round her.
My aunt brought up her artillery.
"He is thoroughly depraved. and will
| come to a bad end. His relations are
as c.io on this point
Constance buried her face in my
mothers bosom. .'Oh, dear! oh. dear!
and 1 loved him sOr' she sobbed.
In the adjoining room 1 was becom-
| ing uncomfortable.
I'VE thought it right to tell you" SAID
my aunt, moved by her tears, though
Alfred begged and implored us not to-"
Il could never. never have believed
it." sobbed Constance. Poor, poor
Mrs. Granviller'
My mother soothed her
How difficult you must have felt /,
to tell me this" exclaimed Constance,
drying her tears. 1T was so good Of
you. l will not give him another
thought. To treat his mother so cruel
ly! Oh, Mrs. Granville, l am SO sorry
for your
1T Is 1 who am sorry for you" said
my mother dOubtfully.
And no one would have dreamed it.
We always thought you were SO fond
Of him and spoiled him utterly. And
] all the time you were hiding your sOr
row. How noble Of your
m
who returned her stare.
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