Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1899-04-19

CH al N--ttOUtlnucu-b -
This afternoon, one of many that Bar
para has given up to duty, finds her as
usual in Lady Monkton's drawing room
listening to her mother-in-law's comments
on this and that, and trying to keep her
temper. for Frederick's sake, when the old
lady finds fault with her management of
the children.
She has one compensation for the visit
Dicky Browne and Felix Dysart drop in
and are both surprised and glad to see her
and to learn that Joyce, too. is in town to
stay for the winter. Before Barbara re-
turns home she has confided to Dysart
the fact that Joyce will visit the art gal
lery In Broad street the next day.
well. did you like the gallery" asks
Mrs. Monkton, throwing aside her book to
greet Joyce as she returns from Dore's
the next day. Barbara had let the girl
20 TO see the pictures without telling her
Of the meeting with Felix. She had been
afraid to say anything about him lest that
guilty secret Of hers might transpire-
that deliberate betrayal of Joyce's intend
ed visit TO Broad street on the morrow.
Every much. So did Tommy. He is
very graphic in his remarks" says Joyce.
sinking listlessly into a chair, and taking
the troubled look on her face growing
Intensified. She seems glad to be silent,
and with downcast eyes plays with the
gloves lying in her lap.
Something has happened, Joyce" says
her sister, going over to her.
Something is happening always" re-
turned Joyce, with a rather impatient
smile.
Yes, but to you just now."
You are sure TO make me tell you SOON
er or later" says Miss Kavanagh. land
even if l didn't, Tommy would. l met
Mr.. Dysart at that gallery to-day"
Felix" says Mrs. Monkton. feeling
herself an abominable hypocrite, yet
afraid to confess the truth. Something in
the girls whole attitude forbids confes-
sion, at this moment at all events.
YES"
"He was glad to see yenas very tender-
WAS he? 1 don't know. He looked
very i'll. He said he had had bad cough.
he is coming to see you"
You were kind to him, Joyce?'
Il didn't insult him. if you mean that"
''Oh, no. l don't mean that; you know
what I mean. He was ill, unhappy; you
did not make him more unhappy"
1T is always for him. cries the girl.
with jealous anger. rs there never to
be a thought for me? Am l nothing to
you? Am 1 never unhappy? Why don't
you ask if he was kind to me?'
Was he ever unkind?'
well. you can forget. He said dread
ful things to me-dreadful. l am not like
ly to forget them if you are. After all.
they did not hurt you"
Joyce
do you mean to tell me, that for all
that you didn't know he would be at that
place to-day" turning flashing eyes upon
her sister,
How could 1 know? unless a person
says a thing right out, how is one to be
sure what he is going to do?
oh, that is unlike you. 1t Is unwor-
thy Of you" says Joyce, turning from
her scornfully. You did know. And it
is not" turning back again and confront
ing the now thoroughly frightened Bar
bara with glance full of pathos, lit is
not that-your insincerity that hurts me
80 much, it is"
Il didn't mean to be insincere; you are
very cruel-you do not measure your
words"
You will tell me next that you meant
II all for the best" with a bitter smilel
That is the usual formula, isn't it? Well,
never mind; perhaps you did. What 1 do
object to is that you didn't tell me. That
l was kept designedy in the dark both by
him and you. Am l." with sudden fire, "a
child or fool. that you should seek to
guide me so blindly? Well" drawing
long breath. Il won't keep you in the
dark. When left the gallery, and your
protege, | met-Mr Beauclerk."
Mrs. Monktop, stunned by this intelli7
gence, remains silent for full minute. 1t
is death TO her hopes. If she has met
that man again, it Is impossible to know
how things have gone. His fatal influA
ence-her unfortunate infatuation-all
will be ruinous to poor Felix's hopes.
ou spoke to him % asks she at last, in
an emotionless tone.
Yes"
Was Felix with your"
"WhenT
when you met that odious man."
'Mr. Beauclerk? No: dismissed Mr.!
Dysart as soon as ever l could"
"No doubt. And Mr.. BeaucIerk. did you
dismiss him as promptly?
Certainly not. There was no occasion" "
NO Inclination, either. You were k1nd
20 him, at all events. 1t is only to the man
who is honest and sincere that you are
deliberately uncivil"
81 hope l was uncivil to neither of
them"
There is no use in giving yourself that
air with me. Joyce. You are angry with
me; but why? Only because Lam anxious
for your happiness. OH that hateful
man. how l detest him! He has made you
unhappy once-he will certainly make you
unhappy again"
Il don't think so," says Joyce, taking up
her hat and furs with the evident inten-
ton of leaving the room. and thus putting
an end to the discussion.
You will never think SO. until it is too
late. You haven't the strength of mind
10 throw him over, once and for all, and
give your thoughts to one who Is really
worthy Of you. On the contrary. you
sPehd your time comparing him favorably
Win that good and faithful Felix"
lou should put that down. 1t will do
-or MS tombstone" says Miss Kavanagh,
Win a rather uncertain little laugh.
CHAPTER XIV.
II Is six weeks later, "spring has come