Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1898-04-20
CHAPTER 4


ND the owner of it trips out from behind
rosebush. holding cluster of half,
blown crimson blossoms of which she has
dcSpoilcd il.
June, the month, links spring to sum.
i'r"r: in June the birds sing their sweetest
tie senses are keenest; June bears the
hODe and promise of the year. June has
bot fits and cold fits, summer skies and
nn-ry tears. balmy airs and chilling winds
june is young and fresh, bright and hope
full. gay and careless in the faith Of good
days to come; June, when fair, is fairest
OF the fair; and June the month is a ft
prototype of June the smiling maiden who
answers so promptly.
Madge, a hoyden of sixteen, pounced
upon her cousin, thrust a vigorous hand
through her arm, and cried, In jubilant
accents:
for you at once, and Aggie said she
knew you hadn't, and that would find
you: whereupon Tom beamed."
By this time they were half across the
lawn, and a big, fair young man came
striding out of the French windows to
mee' them. He looked, as Madge said,
beaming. A joyous light shone in his blue
eyes as he took June's hand in an eager
clasp. No one, seeing the expression of
his face, would have entertained a mo-
ment's doubt as to his feelings for the
young lady whom he was greeting.
Il am SO glad you have come back, Tom.
1t was so dull without you"
June die not blush, nor look coy or en-
barrassed, which was, perhaps, rather an
unfavorable symptom for Tom.
Was it?' he cried, eagerly. I'm aw-
fully glad to hear you say that"
WELL" cried Madge, has aunt found
a dukes daughter for you, and are we 60
ing to have n real swell cousin?"
They won't have me-" laughed Tom.
al don't suit them. 1 am not their sort.
Fashionable young ladies don't care for
me. l can't dance, and l can't talk their
jargon."
"Never mind, Tom" uttered June, Civ
ing him a friendly glance. You have
come back to people who appreciate you.
And I am sure you are happier here"
Il should think / amr' returned Tom,
with emphasis.
Poor auntr' remarked Madge again,
mischieyously, pretending to sigh.
My mother had Dal," answered Tom,
laughing, land he is exactly after her OVID
heart"
But he is not her son." said June.
w udl Is he ike! asked AaCSe.
''He's a very good-looking young chap,
and very manly and plucky. And he
dances like a seraph,' as some lady re-
marked. and looks at every pretty woman
as If he loved her."
How delightfulr' cried Madge. "Oh,
Tom, 1 wish you would have him down
herer'
He has promised to come. He is real
,y tremendously fond of my mother.
feel quite an outsider when he is there"
At this moment Agnes came out Of the
window, smiling, yet scarcely looking
pleased.
Mamma says, Tom, will you stay and
have high tea with US? She II afraid 1t
will not be a very good substitute for
your dinner, but we shall be delighted IL
1ou will"
Tom felt himself rather in a cleft stick
If June were going to stay, he would ac-
cept joyfully; II not, he wanted to walk
home with her, and he was not altogether
Indifferent to his dinner when there was
no object to be gained BY going without
It. Yet he would not for the world be I'm
polite to Agnes and Madge, though they
were his cousins. He hesitated for an
instant.
"June Is not going to stay tonight" in
terposed Madge, reading his thoughts
with her sharp instinct.
Tom flushed crimson through his far
skin; June tried to appear unconscious,
and Agnes closed her thin lips together,
and looked as if she would like to pinch
her sister.
..Thanks, awfully," said Tom, after a
moments pause, "but there are one or two
people 1 ought to see tonight. I dare say
NV aunt will let me come another night
l. T.. thA n ovxyin II
will 90 in and see her" And he marched
off.
Agnes wanted to get June away before
Tom came out again. She was eternally
trying to separate this pair, although she
knew that Tom was deeply in love with
her cousin. But she had heard that, when
woman Is firmly purposed to marry a
man, she not unfrequently succeeds, and
abe had long ago determined to marry
Tom, IL there was any truth In the saying.
June saw through this and was provoked
st it. She was not In love with Tom; but,
when any one attempted to put obstacles
between him and her, her regard for him
went up with amazing rapidity.
She particularly wanted him to walk |
home with her tonight, but, as she was /
far too proud to run after him, she said:
Il must be going. l did not know 1t
was SO late"
"Give my love to auntie." Agnes called |
after her, sweetly.
June did not reply or 30 much a. turn
her head, which she held very straight up |
In the air. She would not condescend to
linger even when she got into the road. be- /
Ing possessed Of that strong instinct Of
self-respect which prevents q proud wom-
an from seeming to make the smallest ad-
vance to a man. She had not, however,
gone three hundred yards before she
heard rapid steps behind her, and in an
other moment, Tom, flushed and breath
less, was beside her.
"Why did you go without saying good
by to met" he asked, reproachfuily.
'Tt Il late, and mamma will be wait1ng,
June; not that she desired 10
screen Agnes from Toms displeasure but
because her dignity forbade her to tell MIN
how she had been hurried away.
II can't tell you," he said. with immense
emphasis, 'how utterly delighted am 10
get back"
II am delighted" answered June, smii
Ing up In his face.
sAnd have you thought" trying to
check his eagerness-'have you thought