Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1898-06-22
KEEPING STEP.

thing has been settled ages ago so faI
as / am concerned. Hush up, now
hush up"'
ages agow Nab echoed, refusing to
"hush up" Il believe it must be ages
ago. Well, if you persist in this unrea'
sonable course"
Il don't persist any more than you
Look at how you did with Tom Van
duren."
That was a long time ago. didn't
do 1t for an example, either. And you
said at the time you wouldn't do as
much for me. Then you went and did
the very same thing. after all"
Don't care" Prisey said doggedly
II will not marry off and leave you for
any man under the canopy Of heaven u
Then. my dear, since we cannot ge,
our suitors to keep step, 80 TO speak
we might as well make arrangements
for quiet and dignified old maidhood
Let's buy parrot or something
Prisey."
The front door bell rang while the
two young women were discussing
their mutual affairs In their own room
on the second floor. Just as Nab s
brilliant suggestion for the purchase of
a parrot had thrown both the suitorS
into a fit of laughter the servant girl
OF the boarding house appeared at their
door with a square envelope addressed
to Nab.
The boy says he's to wait for an an
swer"
Here. Prisey," said Nab as soon as
she had glanced at the signature, this
must be for you. It's addressed to me
yes-no-wait a minute"
Then she read to herself:
MY Dear Mab-Do you intend going
out this evening? If not, will you see
you of the greatest importance-to my
self, at least.
JULIUS CLEMENT"
Here, Prisey, read this" And Nab
handed the letter to her sister What
do you think he meansT' Then She
added, speaking gently. to avoid being
heard by the servant girl, who WAS
waiting at the door. ''Do you think he's
got US mixed up?"
Az Prisey read the note her blue eyes
widened IN amazement, but she only
said, You're keeping Jane waiting.
Nab"
NAB turned suddenly toward the
door. Tell the boy Yes" she said.
That's all the answer there is
The door having closed behind the ser
want there was q silence Of some mo-
ntu hot ha ctot
seemed to take the incident In contrast
ing ways. The brunette, Nab, stared
as child might stare at an elder sister
-Prisey was her elder sister-who has
met with a calamity and perplexes by
her coolness under it. Prisey went on
with her occupation, which happened
10 be pulling feathers from an old hat
TO rearrange them on a new one.
These two orphan girls had been
alone together In the world for 80 long
that each expected to understand every
inmost feeling Of the other by intuition.
Don't you care? Nab said at last.
'1T' said Prisey, looking up from her
feathers for one moment. What for ?
Why shouldn't hef"
was l right, PriseyT
Perfectly right, child"
At the appointed hour Mr.. Clement
rang the ball and asked for Miss Mabel
Cartwright.
did you say Miss MabelT Jane
asked.
Yes, Miss Mabel.
Jane really felt uncertain as to
whether Mr.. Clements memory had
not played him trick.
80 you have something Of the great
est Importance to say to me" Nab
straight chair opposite her visitor.
"Er-yes, Miss NAB. I hope you
won't hurry me, though. Did ! say
the greatest Importance in that note
/ sent you? Oh, we'll"
ITO you, think you said. But don't
want to hurry you. It's very sloppy
out Of doors, isn't itT
"Oh, now, don't make fun of meT'
"How7" asked Nab innocently. BE
cause asked II 1t was sloppy"
81 might as well come to the point -
said Clement Look here, Miss Nab; of
course you know what happened last
n,ght-at the Jernay's-to me, mean"
Nab only fixed her dark eyes on him
and when he hssitated said, Go on"
We'll. want to know if-h you
think-that Is. II I have your sym
pathy."
Julius Clement had a fne mustac che.
which curled with boldness and grace,
and which he always stroked and pull
ed when he was in doubt or in deep
thought. On this occasion he was In
both, and he acted accordingly.
DO you need a great deal Of sym
Dathy?' Nab asked him.
81 don't know whether I ought to say
do" Clement answered. He had al
ready worn out his first embarrassment
and was beginning to warm to his sub
1ect. Perhaps ought to consider my
self fortunate, rather"
''Oh, may ask"
''Of course you may. I suppose you
know what answer l gotr'
We'll, no.
Just So" He laughed nervously.
But then 1 found out something
think"
What did you find outT'
IF your sister said No 1t was be-
cause-lt wasn't because-it was be-
cause-because she wants always to be
with you, just as you are? There! Am
rightF'
Nab had a way of tightening her lips
which Prisey called shutting up her
self all to herself" She went through
this process now.
I'VE We're talking of buying n par
rot" she said, very seriously, after
little pause.
"A parrot? What forr'
For our amusement and consola-
ton"
Clement laughed at this Idea SO heart
lily that Nab began to wonder.
Tell me seriously" Clement said,