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


the sound of Toms hearty laugh, with
Agnes somewhat shrill treble mingled
Lady Nevirs thoughts were abruptly
changed. Now she wanted TO be on shore
to interrupt that tete-a-tete. She hated
nothing so much as to see Tom and
Agnes together: it was a certainty that
her cousin was infusing some poisonous
drop into her husbands mind.
Let us land" she said to Dallas; but
he had no desire to leave his charming
hostess just as they were discussing such
interesting subjects.
"Oh. not yet" he implored; don't go
in yet. Do you really want to-" And
June, who always felt 1t difficult to op-
pose any one who asked anything urgent
ly of her, forced a smile, and said:
81 will stay here if you like. 1t Is very
pleasant here"
Two or three minutes later her mind
was immensely relieved by hearing
Madge's voice join Toms, and presently
she saw that young lady hanging on
Toms arm, while Mr.. Carslake and
Agnes walked at some distance behind.
The change of companionship had been
brought about in this way: When Dal-
las and June betook themselves TO the
boat, Madge and Mr.. Carslake had made
their way to the avenue-the place par
excellence at the Hall for lovers and love
making, the place to which in former
days Tom had always tried to inveigle
June as beiDg private and cut off from
the rest of the company.
Madge had talked away in her usual
bright fashion, and her companion had
listened to her with that sense of pleased
amusement which he always felt at her
Quips and pranks. His own disposition
he, Of
but he had a strong sense of humor and
q keen sympathy with bright and happy
young people. His greatest drawback to
the enjoyment Of their society was his
extreme diffidence in himself, his fear
lest he should be a kill-joy and spoil
their fun. On Madge, however, he pro-
duced anything but this effect: his
gravity, leavened as it was with an evil
dent apprecia ton of her sallies and high
spirits, rather stimulated than soberej
her love of fun.
They had begun by laughing, and Were
inclining to a more sentimental mood un-
der the influence of moonlight, and the
charm of the evening, when Mr.. Cars
lake, with the very best intentions, made
a singularly unfortunate remark:
What a very sweet woman that sister
of yours isp'
1t hCIeu on MauSe ike uOuCHe VI
iced water. The moment before she had
been full of gayety, slightly tempered by
a most agreeable sentimentality, for she
was undeniably in love with her COM
panion; now she was froissee, piqued, an
noyed, she felt angry indeed with her
friend for not having more discernment.
She stopped short; the color came to
her face, and she said, with extreme de-
CiSion:
'She is not at all a sweet woman, and
/ should not have thought you We're the
sort of man to be so easily taken in
Mr.. Carslake was astonished: he was
rather shocked, too, and he looked it.
"Oh. yes" exclaimed Madge, you are
Mortified, see. You think the mere fact
of a person being ones sister ought to
make one adore her; but l assure you
the theory won't hold water. You are
much more apt to dislike people who be-
long to you than any one else, because
you are obliged to see much of them
and they have such immense opportuni.
ties of aggravating you"
The pair were standing face to face,
Madge talking herself angry, Mr.. Cars
lake preserving his scandalized express
sion.
..Pray. why do you think she is a sweet
woman?" asked the young lady. slightly
raising her voice and looking at him with
rather an aggressive flash in her eyes.
Mr.. Carslake's face relaxed into a
smile.
well, really" he remarked, "she
seemed to me very sweet and kind ami
anxious to please every one. ] caught
some of her remarks to our host during
dinner, and l confess they gave me the
idea that she was a very charitable, good
nerson: and then thought she behaved
so nicely in offering to remain with him
aftcrward and to go and see the child up
stairs"
THAT shows, then" retorted MadGe,
Show little any one not behind the scenes
Is able to judge. She only stopped with
Tom and talked about going up to see
little Tom to aggravate June"
..ReallyY 2" with evident incredulity. 81
thought Lady Nevil seemed quite dis
posed for a tete-a-tete with Broke, and
your sister good-naturedly offered to stay
and amuse Sir Thomas"
..Ohr' exclaimed Madge, growing still
ancrier. that is just the delightful way
Agnes has of giving people wrong i'm
pressions. Do you suppose with some
yehemence, ''that June cares two straws
about Dallas? She is simply wrapped up
In Tom and the child.
81 am sorry / have offended you by
SAYING what l thought would naturally
please a sister," remarked Mr.. Carslake,
gravely.
you have offended me very much, re-
torted Madge, with unwonted petulance.
81 thought you had more discernment All
our lives June and l have suffered from
Agnes sweetness which had the delight
fuI knack of making us look in the wrong.
No doubt" little quiver coming into her
voice, when you have seen little more
of her sweetness, you will come to the
conclusion that l am not at all nice
person"
THAT l shall not" he answered. AMI
made as though he would take Madget
hand, but she eluded him.
CHAPTER Xix.
Madge, who meant to atone for her mis-
conduct by behaving very prettily to him,
was much disconnected at not being givel
the opportunity. She felt rather crest
fallen but worked herself into nit oil
anger before she finally went to sleep.
and resolved to punish him for beana