Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1899-05-31


heart-sick submission on the other.
Oh. the pity Of 1t, the true. tender
heart unanswered! Better, far better
to toll on alone. bearing the burden OF
poverty and sorrow, than to buy rest
at the price of truth, to promise love
and honor, when love has died.
had written so far when a shadow
fell upon my paper, and looking up
saw Herbert Somerson standing stand.
ing between me and the window. His
tall, erect figure, the very personifca-
ton of strength and manliness cut OF
the light from my page, but his good,
noble face was full Of kindness, as biz
eyes smiled upon me. l thought what
a good brother he meant to be to his
ugly little sister, and then I was sorry
for his wasted love.
Are you very busy? he asked.
mo, see, our great pile Of sewing is
quite ready for your servant to come
for it." l said. pointing to the heap of
neatly folded linen on the table.
Never mind the work just now," he
answered, very gently; yet fancied I
SsiN ShduO" OA thAhOS anu AA III
eyes. Can you walk out with me for
little while? have something wish
very much to say to you"
1t was coming. He wanted the grave
elder sister to influence Mildred, to tell
him II he might hope to win her. My
heart seemed to suffocate me with its
heavy pulsatiOns. Suppose he were
o., IL o I>o o.,
love him! How could be true to my
sister and not do a bitter wrong to
him?
1 put on my hat and shawl, and we
went out. The cool September winds
were already whirling about the early
falling leaves, and the trees were put
ting on crimson and gold foliage. To
my surprise, Mr.. SOmerson did not turn
into the shady lane that leads to all
the pleasant walks hereabOut. but
crossed the road, and after a short
walk opened his own garden gate. He
had not yet gone to live in his new
home, but 1 had heard that every de-
tail was complete.
Il want you to see my house." he
said, as he led me up the broad steps,
"and tell me If your taste can suggest
any further Improvements"
"NIildred's taste he means"
thought, "only he did not like to ask
her directly"
He led me from room to room,
through the great, lofty drawing
rooms, the library, cosy sitting rooms,
dining-room, pointing out where my
taste or suggestion had been followed
in furnishing or decoration.
One full suite of rooms, finished N
blue satin and cool, gray reps, he open
ed for my inspection, saying:
do you think this fills Mildred's
idea?"
Perfectly" 1 answered.
"Her pure, blonde beauty will shine
here" he answered, III I can win the
dearest wish of my heart"
that it was coming, coming soon, and
yet my tongue seemed to cling to the
roof Of my mouth, and my eyes were
suddenly din and useless. Very gent
ly Mr.. Somerson led me down stairs to
the conservatory, where a tiny foun-
tain tinkled in a marble basin, and rare
flowers made the air heavy with fra
GRANGE.
do you like my homer Mr.. Som
erson asked.
1T is perfect" 1 forced myself to
say.
viii you come, then, and share II
with meY' he asked, taking my hands.
1 knew he would ask me. Mildred g
sister would be his sister, too. I must
refuse, though, and yet 1t seemed 50
ungracious.
"Mildredv' said. and then 1 choked.
and could not finish my speech.
"Of course Mildred will be welcome
here" he said; "have you not seen her
rooms. When you tell me you love
me, when you say you will be my wife.
preside over my home, l will invite
Mildred to come, too. But l am wait
ing to hear il you can love me.
know I am old enough to be your
father, that l am a grave, silent man,
Jut little fitted to win the pure young
CONct- Ddt AONC JVu, anu
have dared to think 1 had won a place
In your esteem, IL not in your love"
In my esteem, had battled 1t down
had never dared whisper the truth to
!ny own heart, but l knew long, long
ago, that 1 loved him. How could
dream it was NY ugly face. not Mild
eds bright young beauty, that drew
lim to our cottage? 1t was hard tc
ealize the truth, even yet, though the
sweet, wooing words came SO tender
" to my ears. dared look up at last
o meet the pleading gaze Of the deer
,rowp eyes, and then my long guarded
ecret must have been betrayed In mx
face, for was folded In q close EN-
brace, and heard, God bless You, my
own, my darling!
So we came back again in the glow
Of the autumn sunset, talking OF ou1
future-his and mine. 1 forgot Mild
red, till 1 saw her standing at the gatt
Of our little garden.
| Is it the daze Of my own happiness,
| wonder, or is Mildrefs face lighted q
u haye never seen 1t since oUg fatbel