Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1898-05-11
CHAPTER VII.

glorious victory. The guests were gone
from the Hall. 1t was lovely afternoon,
with n soft west wind.
Never had June looked to such advan
age as she did that evening at dinner.
There was lovely color in her checks, a
new light in her eyes; her voice had a
joyous ring; she seemed to be an inca rna
ton of pleasure and happiness.
Would not you young people like to &C
into the garden?" said Mrs. Ellesmere
the moment dinner was over, and they
obeyed her suggestion with alacrity.
Let us get into the boat" whispered
Dallas; and June gave a radiant assent.
Twilight was creeping on, all nature was
hushed; they might have been the only
two living creatures on earth. And, for
the time being, they would have been con-
tent to have the world to themselves. To
night June knew the difference that the
society of another human being can make
TO all life, to all nature-knew how 1t can
fill every moment with a strange, heaven
ly rapture, marred only by remembering
how feeting Is the joy.
Neither seemed disposed to talk muchI
both were possessed by a sense Of happi
ness. The moon came out and lit up the
flowers on the bank, turning them tc
many colored Jewels.
''How l wish this could last foreverT
murmured Dallas, at last, bending lit.
tie toward June.
She smiled and sighed. The smile was
for content, the sigh for regret.
Suddenly an uneasy scruple came over
Dallas. Was he not acting a traitors
part to Tom-Tom, who would never have
been disloyal to any human being? Ought
he not, instead of making love to this fair
girl on his own account, to be pleading his
cousins cause? 1t was extremely repug
nant to him, but the better side of his na-
ture was awake tonight. And any
thought of marrying June himself wa. out
of the question. Some day he would be
a baronet, with fair income; not, how
ever, In all probability, before he was
getting gray and well on in years; he had
several brothers and sisters, he had debts.
penniless wife for him, therefore, was
a luxury not even to be contemplated in
the remotest manner. Tom-lucky chapl
had no factor to consult save his OWL
willard the lady's.
You were not serious the other day."
Dallas asked June, when you said that
you did not mean to marry TomT
For a moment all June's sense of hap
piness vanished; cold pang swept over
her. She had forgotten that Tom existed.
do not let US talk of himp' she said,
with little gesture that conveyed dis
gust more expressively than she was
aware of.
mot much chance" thought Dallas,
"for a man to whom a woman feels like
that" He was almost ashamed of him
self for the satisfaction which her action
gave him. How you snubbed me that
first night at dinner!' he said, with half
smile, after a pause. Il never felt SO
small. You turned your back on me all
dinner time, and, though l was watching
my opportunity like cat to speak to you,
you never gave it me until, by lucky ac-
cident, you dropped your fan under the
table. "
June smiled pensively. How well she
remembers that evening! how she likes tc
think that he noticed her behavior!
why were you SO unkind?
II wanted not to like you," she an.
swers, simply. II made up my mind that
7 would not"
But you have changed it now, have
you not?' looking into the depths Of her
eyes.
Yes" she says.
Why should she lie to him? Ahl she
has indeed changed, if there ever was q
time when she did not like him. But was
there ever such time?
81" he says, tenderly, have never
changed from the first moment that saw
you. / can't tell you how much hurt
was that you would not be friends with
me. The only time l ever thought you
felt a little bit kind to me was that even
ing of the dance. Do you remember
Does June remember? Ay, most truly
does she.
She bends her head in answer.
Il was dying to ask you again, but
dared not. I thought it was best not
BEST for you and best for me-
quotes June, smiling.
"Only for me-" he answers. Il was not
such a conceited ass as to think it could
make any difference to you. And then ]
magined that you belonged to Tom.
June makes an impatient movement
through the water with her fingers. She
cannot bear any allusion to Tom tonight.
GLOW diyinely you dance" says Dal
las Then, with sudden inspiration,
..NVby should we not jhave n waltz to-
night? My aunt plays dance music
charmingly.'
"Oh. yesp' echoes June, her eyes kind.
ling with pleasure; 'let us ask herr
Dallas takes up the sculls, and in two
minutes they are at the landing place.
He Jumps out, secures the boat, and gives
her his hand.
Slowly and silently, for very joys sake
they move together up to the house.
Mrs. Ellesmere Is rousing herself from
her slumbers.
"Auntie," says Dallas, laying caress-
ing arm round her shoulder, I'VE want
you to do something for us"
what is 1t, dear boy? she asks, with
A fond glance at his good-looking young
face. consent already implied by her tone.
Wont You come into the hall and play
us one of your delicious waltzes? We are
diving to have turn
"Of course I WILL" she answers, smil-
inr and feeling extremely gratified at the
course events are taking. A glance at
June's face assures her that her irresist-
IbIe nephew has made one more conquest
one to which he Is most heartily welcome.
So. with the kindest grace In the "oriu'
she goes to the piano and plays rnwear
Iedly while these two reckless young peo
pJe. heart beating to heart, their SOUS
drunk with the intoxication OF their love
and the rhythm of their movements are
weaving, with gossafner threads Oh rap
ture. the web of future pain.
"I, ct us go for a stroll under the trees
.aid Dallas. June rose, and together they
from the lynx eyes OF some
one who was watching them from 'ne
drawing room window.
They esppteEld IN the GEpYe yasze 20"