Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1898-08-31
CHAPTER VI.

Miss Oakeley. and, their diligent prac-
hee over, several idlers dropped in to
lunch. among them Major ST. John and
Standi-h.
Lunch finished, Dorothy refused a
pressing invitation to drive with Miss
Oakeley
We'll, if you will not come, pray take
this programme to your sister, and the ad-
vertisement. l have just put down what
want TO say; she must polish them w,
i have no turn for grammar! There
straining her neck to look out of the win
dow, there goes Aunt Callander In state.
Lady-in-waiting, lap-dog and all! I know
she is going to inquire for abel, and in
srect her proceedings. Where Is Mr.. Egg
erton to-day? / have seen nothing Of
him since. oh! since yesterday
We'll, you warned us all off the prem
ises as you wanted IN uninterrupted
morning. 1 was afraid to show myself
even at one o'clock, until Standish gave
me lead" returned st. John.
We'll, / must run away now! am 60
ing to drive over to Beach Hall. I want
TO persuade Lady Geraldine to play the
violin at my concert, she would be n great
catch. VIII you come with me? DO-do,
---- Dorothy"
Il am very sorry, but I cannot, Miss
Oakeley. l must go back and support
Mabel"
Il will walk across the common with
you" said Standish, following her into
the hall.
Yes. q. please" she returned, feeling
a sense OF strength and comfort in his
companionship, and longing to be able
really to pour oat her heart to him-if it
were possible. to put her vague uneasiness
Into words. Even IL she were-but Stand
ish was speaking.
You are quite right to hurry back to
poor Mnbel's rescue. She is by no means
equal to encounter her mother-in-iaw sim
gle handed"
You are right don't think she ie
equal to anything" said Dorothy, Isaa-
ly. s4
What" he exclaimed, struck NJ -heI
tone. you are not seriously uneasy about
herr
There il no reason / should be, but
oh, | can't explain my indefina BILE anxiety
i dare say you would laugh at me II |
could"
Here they were interrupted by young
lieutenant of st. Johns regiment, a warm.
though silent, admirer of Dorothy who
returned with them unasked under the
plea of inpar.ing the project of a regi-
mestal ball, for which ne hoped Miss
Wynn would hold herself disengaged-
They were almost at the gate of the
Knoll before he left them, and they did
not resume their conversation.
rs Mrs. Callander inr' asked Dorothy
of the man who answered the bell.
NO. miss. Mrs. Callander-the Dowa-
ger Mrs CalIander-caAed before she had
finished luncheon-she and Mr.. Egerton
and they all went out In the carriage
together.
Ibid not my sister drive this morn
ing?" 81,
mo. miss. The mistress went out with
nurse and the children. Mr.. Egerton
came back with her."
1T is probable she will not be back Tor
some time" said Standish. Let us go
down on the beach, Dorothy, you look as
II Won. too, wanted to be taken care OF.
and the open air will do you more good
than sitting in room.
.Very WELL" and she turned from the
house to go through the garden. But
am quite wkell, only little worn out win
nv nroctice and two whole hours of Al1ss
Oakeley's enthusiasm
.J can imagine II. High pressure
hey?"
Yes very high" They walked On 81
Icntly till they reached the waters ense'
Ahen Dorothy instinctively turned hef
back n more Ireluei'eu P"A' Va ~
common and exclaimed:
Let get as Tar iroih the iaue
crowd as possible"
BY all means, especially ms l want
little private talk with you.
DO youf' in an alarmed tone. Il nope
not a scolding!
..po | ever scold you? reproa chfuily.
well, mol But just now l always an
ticipate evil"
"'The terrors of an awakened con-
science, l supposer
81 think | am more imperfect than
wicked" said Dorothy, with sigh.
Standish laughed.
conscience is hard at work, see. NO,
am not going to scold-why should l:
You are really a very good gin, SO fan
as I see. am going 70 cross examine
you"
bar head. her naturally pathetic little fnce
looking so sad, that Standish invoiun
tarily drew closer to her.
You don't imagine, my dear Dorothy
that I would willingly distress you!
think Won can trust me! Now" with
change Of tone-''TeIi me, ate you aware
tbnt have received overtures for matri
monial alliance with my charming ward
from an unexceptonsl. parti
Il am" very seriously.
1T seems you have refused Egerton
May 1 ask you the why and wherefore
II don't like him." : 49,
But why?" urged Standish.;
Il think" began Dorothy, thopehtfuii'
and slowly, that Mr.. Eserton ,mEnt ot
charming irresistible II he iovet
but somehow or other l feed q3Hte con
vinced that he does not love nfeHss.
My dear Dorothy, what an absur'
impression. Why should he ask~vou u
marry him? Why seek you at all, Were
he not strongly attracteds. fou have M
particular advantage of rank or wealth
indeed, Egerton wants nothing ,e1 tina
kind"
"Yes, it is all very curious. know
seems absurd to say so, but feel quits
sure he does not care a straw for me-
How do you know? What is aL Ins n,
bottom Of this preposterous eonvicaoh
Nothing at all that any sensihis ",
son would consider proof" returneu t'oi
othy, in a deliberate tone, dwelling ol
her words, "but there is no loye-in IN
voice or his touch-or-oh, nor brsahini
off suddenly, there is no love in h!H tol
me, or l could never be SO indifferent y
him."
DO you mean to say" looking ae ne
rather sternly, that you would ioveiens ,.
one whom you felt or fancied loved you
NO, Paul; but If felt that a man wa
really In love with me, ] should ee ePlf'