Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1899-03-29

poor Old fool says, begets love.
And he is honest Yes. honest! A nan,
shoots through her breast. That, when al
is told, ID the principal thing. He is not
uhcertain-untrustwor - double-faccd
as some men are. Again that cruel pain
contracts her heart. To be able to believe
In person, to be able to trust implicitly
IN each hghtest word, to read the rea,
meaning in every sentence. to see the
truth shining in the clear eyes. this is
know peace and happiness: and yet
"fou know ALL" says she. looking ND
him. her eyes compressed. her brow frown.
ing; Il am uncertain of myself, nothins
seems sure to me, but if you wish it."
Wish it! clasping her hands closer.
Vhere is this to be said. then. ! will
promise to answer you this day twelve
month"
Twelve months" says he, with conster.
nation; his grasp on her hands loosens,
If the prospect frightens or displeases
you. there is nothing more to be said" re-
joins she, coldly. 1t ie sbe whc il calm
and composed, he who Is nervous nd am.
ious.
But q whole year,
That or nothing" says she. relea sing
her hands, with little determined show
Of strength, from his. 1T is for you to de
eide. 1 don't care!'
Perhaps she hardly grasps the cruelty
that lies in this haif-impatient speech, I'm.
til she sees Dysart's face flush painfully.
You need not have said that" says he,
Il knew it. l am nothing to you really"
He pauses, and then says again in a low
tone, Nothing"
oh, you mustn't feel SO muchw cries
she, as if tortured. 1T is folly to feel at
all in this world. What's the good of il :,
And to feel about me, l am not worth it.
If you would only bear that in mind, il
might help you"
If l bore that in mind l should not
want to make you my wifev' returns he,
steadily, gravely. Think as you will of
yourself. you do not shake my faith in
you. Well" with deep breath, 81 accept
your terms. For year 1 shall feel myself
bound to you, while you shall hold your
seIr rree, ana riy tOo=
mo, no. We must both be equal-both
free while - she stops short, coloring
warmly, and laughing. What is it am
to try to do:'
ITO love mer' replies he, with infinite
sadness in look and tone.
YES" says Joyce. slowly, and then
again meditatively, yes" She lifts her
eyes presently and regards him strangely
And if all my trying should not succeed;
II never learn to love you"
why, then it is all over. This hope of
mine is at an end" says he, SO calmly,
yet with such deep melancholy, such sad
foreboding, that her heart is touched.
"Oh, it is hope of mine, too," says she,
quickly. "If it were not, would listen
to you to-day? But you must not be SO
downhearted; let the worst come to the
worst, you will be as well off as you arc
this instant"
He shakes his head.
Does hope count for nothing, thenW
You would compel me to love you,"
says she, growing the more vexed as she
grows the more sorry for him. would
you have me marry you even if did not
love you" Her soft eyes have filled with
tears, there is suspicion Of reproach In
her voice.
mo, l suppose not"
He half turns away from her. At this
moment a sense Of despair falls on him.
Joyce" he then says, quickly, turning
to her and grasping her Hands, "give me
my chance. Give me those twelve months:
give me your thoughts now and then while
they last. I brought you here to-day to
say all this, knowing we should be alone
But you, Joyce-twelve months is a long
time. You may see others-if not Beau
k-others-and-
Money would not tempt me-" says the
girl, slowly. "If money were your rival,
you would indeed be safe. You ought to
know that"
..StilI-Joyce-" He stops suddenly
..May 1 think Of you as Joyce? l have
called you so once or twice. but"
"You may always call me So" says she,
gently. if indiferently. "All my friends
call me SO, and you-are my friend, sure
lyr'
The very sweetness Of her manner, cold
as ice as it is, drives him to desperation.
Not your friend-your lover! says he
with sudden passion. "Joyce, think Of ali
that have said-all you have promised. A
small matter to you, perhaps-the whole
world to me. You will wait for me for
twelve months. You will try to love me.
Eou-"
"Yes, but there is something more to be
said" cries the girl, springing to her feet
as il in violent protest, and confronting
him with a curious look-set-determined
"a little frightened, perhaps.
"MoreY' says Dysart. startled by her
expression, and puzzled as well.
.Yesv' hurriedly. 'This! The very
nervousness that i. consuming her throws
6re into her eyes and speech. During all
these long twelve months l shall be free
Onite free. You forget to put that IN!
You must remember thatl Tiff should,
, fter aII this thinking, decide ON not hav-
mo ANYTHING to do with you-you, vehe-
mently. twill have no right to reproach
mo Remember says she, going up TO
him and laying her hand upon his arm
while the blood reccding from her race
%, yes her very white; remember snouia
,ucb a thing occur-and it is very likely.
,lowly. II warn you of that-you ar - no'
r, consider vourseif wrongr" or assr'eSe"
why should You talk to ne In TINS
wnv;'' begins he. agsrieved no" III u"
events. "tb,+ |
..You must recollect," feveriohiy' tna'
have made you no promise. NOT one.
ref,,se even to look upon this ma.tc, :. 40 10.
serious thing, 1 tell you honestly, @
dark ewes cleaning with nervous eAel.
mcnt. II don't believe l ever shah 'n 30 ,oS.
at it After ALL" pausing, you w,n .oo 10
uell IL you now put an end to tnis .a.I
between MS: and tell me to take
md INV dull life out of yours forever IL
CIV - ali vrs, that" IN y low