Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1898-04-20
AT THE LAST MOMENT.

every Saturday morning at the station
of that name, when the special trains
start for South Africa. 1t is a desper-
ate struggle while it lasts, and the uni
formed men have an exceedingly warm
time of II, but they have always con-
quered before, and this encourages and
gives them enthusiasm. Mr.. John
Beste-the name was on the leather la
bel of his single portmanteau-Mr.
John Beste, down in good time before
the real Iussle began, looked on with
interest. He was a tall, reservedlook
ing man, with short beard and the
brown complexion that comes to men
who have looked at the South African
sun.
NO one to see me off," said John
Beste. "a short mother was stepping
on tiptoe to kiss a burly youth, and e
sight gave him thOughts) "Of course
there Is no one to see me off" he con-
tinued argumentatively. 'Why should
there beT'
Mr.. John Beste placed his portman-
teau In the corner of first-class COM
partment, and laughed a little bitterly
at his grumbled soliloquy. A light
touch on his arm made him wheel
round. The sound of a soft voice made
him flush.
'.Mr Bester'
Miss Langhaml Are you here to
say gOod-by to meT
THAT was the idea" said the young
woman, brightly. Il suppose there are
others. How long before your train
goes?"
About twenty minutes, Miss Lang
ham"
only twenty minutes. l am sorry
that you are going so quickly. And
you Will see Mr.. Charterhouse, 1 sup
pose'-she stepped aside to avoid
juggernaut trolley of luggage-''as soon
as you aIriveY she resumed.
II can't possibly avoid that Is Mrs.
Langham hereT'
my aunt does not know that have
come down. Did you want to see her,
Mr.. Beste?"
Her presence he said, gravely, ''is
not Indispensable TO my happiness.
I'm afraid that you are inclined to
be a little unjust TO her. You don't
know her as well as l do, Mr.. Beste."
That IS so. But Mrs. Langham has
made a confdant of me during the time
that / have been here, and-well, I
think l understand her"
Tout comprehendre c'est tout par.
donner," quoted the young lady.
Not in every case"
q should like to know what you
talked about. 1t occurred TO me at din.
ner last night that"
Upon my word, Miss Langham,
have half mind to tell you
Halt mind is plenty, Mr.. Beste. 1
have a special reason for wanting to
know. My dear aunt has not always
the best tact in the world"
That" he said, dryly, occurred to
me-"
Yves 1t OF me that she was talking.
twonder? Was 1 the objectT
1T was Of you" he said.
''And my aunt saidT'
Am / bound TO answer these ques-
lions, my lordT
A band of Jewish financial gentlemen
came along the crowded platform,
forming an encourage to some import
ant individual in their center. with
the enterprise of their race, they forced
the other passengers aside, and Mr..
John Beste and Miss Lan2ham were
separated IN the commotion.
You are bound" said the young
Portia, returning, Ito answer all the
questions that are put to you for the
next fifteen minutes"
Mrs. Langham," said Mr.. John
Beste, shifting his rug from one arm to
~ oya banI4uU Hrt1a cIasar m
the bewilderlng hat and the charming
face that IT selfshly attempted to hide,
Mrs. Lsngham was extremely anxious
that l should convey certain informa-
ton TO Mr.. Charterhouse. AS manager
to Mr. Charterhouse's valuable mine,
Mrs. Langham seems to have thought
that | should be a valuable-what shall
say?-a valuable fellow conspira tor. p"
Go on" she said, quickly and with
great concern.
Il wonder whether you can guess
what am going TO say?"
Il hope / am not guessing rightly. 1t
is too terrible"'
Mrs. Ldugham was good enough to
say that for anything l could say to my
my master, Mr.. Charterhouse, that
would assist the object she had in view,
l should be well repaid. This was, of
course, very generous of your aunt"
Go on, Mr.. Beste.'
The time was flying. Passengers
were settling down in their compart-
ments, and at every window was II
bunch of heads. There We're tears, too.
because some of those on the platform
parents saying good-by TO sons, and
wives saying adieu TO husba nds-were
sufficiently old-fashioned to possess
emotions.
And what l had to do was this: Mr..
Oharterhouse is, as you know, a bach.
elOr"
"Mr Charterhouse may be an old
maid for all 1 know or care" she said,
hotly.
AND Il was to use my influence
with Charterhouse-which Is, l admit,
sonsfderable-to induce him to come
over here to-to see Miss Langham."
Aud buy her, I suppose" she ex.
claimed. trembling with excitement,
but not allowing her voice to raise 1t.
self. ITO buy me and to sign the agree
ment at St Georges. Hanover square"
II think" he said, apologetically,
that Eour aunt IS very anxious that
yOu should make good marriage"
These good marriages are II bad
bnes," declared Eva LanghGm, hotly.
-Afr. Beste, you mus help me. cam
not allow my aunt to make me appear
shameful ana ridiculous in peoples
eyes. You must promise not to say q
word to Mr.. Charterhou,e abaux me. !