Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1899-03-15
MFFLNTOWN JUNIATA

begun. To the girl beside him, however,
ignorant Of subterfuge, unknowing Of the
wiles that run in and out Of society Ike
thread, his words sound sweet-ths
sweeter for the very hesitation that &C
companies them.
Il am not SO perfect a. you think me"
says she, . little sadly-her voice q little
faint.
THAT IL true." says ne. quickly, a.
though compelled against his will to find
fault with her. "Awhile ago you were an
cry with me because was driven to waste
my time with people uncongenial to me.
That was unfair, IL you like" He throws
gentlest fashion. Il danced with this, that
and the other person, but do You know
where my heart was all the timew
de pauses for a moment; just long
enough to make more real his question,
but hardly long enough to let her reply
to it. To bring matters to q climax would
not suit him at all.
Yes, you do know" says he, seeing her
about to speak. "And yet you misjudge
me. II l were to tell you that l would
rather be with you than with any other
woman in the world, you would believe
me, wouldn't your
He stoops over her, and taking her hand
presses it fondly, Angeringly. Answer
ma"
YES" says Joyce. In . low tone. 1t ha.
not occurred to her that his words are a
question rather than an assertion. That
he loves her seems to her certain. A soft
glow ilumines her cheeks; her eyes sink
beneath his; the idea that she is happy, or
Ill L. H..
with Q curious wonderment. Do people al
sure, when love comes?
yet you did doubt" says Beaucerk
giving her hand a last pressure, and now
nesting back among his cushions witS al
the air Of a man who has fought and con.
quered and has received his reward
well, don't let US throw An unpleasan nj
said." taking up her fan and idly, il grace
fully, waving it to and fro, "after all this
turmoil Of the fight it is sweet to be al
la st in the haven where one would be-
He is smiling at Joyce-the gayest. the
most candid smile in the world.
Beauclerk indeed is enjoying himself
immensely To a man Of his temperament
to be able to play upon a nature as fine.
as honest, as pure as Joyce's, Is to know
a keen delight. That the girl Is dissatis
fed, vaguely, nervously dissatisfied. hi
can read as easily as though the working.
Of her soul lay before him in broad type
and to assuage those half-deined misgiv
ings Of hers is a task that suits him. He
attacks it con amOre.
How silent you are" says he, very
gently, when he has let quite long paust
occur.
II am tired. think"
"Of mer'
"No."
"Of what, thenT He has found that a,
q rule there II nothing q woman likes ber.
ter than to be asked to define her own feel
ings. Joyce, however, disappoints him.
Sitting up 80 late, suppose"
Look here" says he, in a voice SO full
Of earnest emotion that Joyce involun
tarily stares at him, Il know what Is the
matter with you. You are fighting against
your better nature. You are trying to be
unRenerous. You are trying to believe
what you know IL not true. Tell me-
honestly, mind-are you not forcing your.
self to regard me as q monster Of insin-
cerity"
"You are wrong" says she, slowly. Il
am forcing myself, on the contrary, to b
lieve you q very giant Of sincerity"
"And you find that dif6cultr'
"Yes."
CTo be coatinuedl