Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1899-05-10

80 soon," says she, vaguely. She has
begun that absurd tattoo again, but
bridge, and restless little fingers, and sky
and earth, and all things seem blotted out.
he Is going, really going. and forever!
How far is India away1
1T is always rather hurried at last. For
ny part, am glad I'm going"
"YesY
Mrs. Monkton will-at least, am sure
'he will-let me have line now and then
% let me know how you-how you are all
yetting on. was going to ask her about
this evening. You think she will be
good enoughr"
Barbara Is always kind"
II suppose"-he hesitates, and then xoes
IN with an efort-'T suppose 1t would be
100 much to ask Of your
"What?"
THAT you would sometimes write me q
letter-hOwever short"
Il am q bad correspondent" says she,
feeling as II she were choking.
"Ah! l see. l should not have asked, OF
:ourse. Yes, you are right. 1t was ab.
'urd my hoping for 4"
"Would you really carer says she.
"Ah! That Is the humor Of It," says he.
In spite Of all, I should still really care.
Come" He makes an effort to unclasp
the small, pretty fingers that are grasping
the rails 20 rigidly. At first they seem to
resist his gentle pressure, and then they
give way to him. She turns suddenly.
"Feli1w her voice Is somewhat strained,
somewhat harsh, not all her own voice,
do you still love meY'
"You know that" returns he, sadly. II
ne has felt any surprise at the question be
has not shown it.
mo, no." says she, feverishly. THAT
Vou like me. that you are fond Of me, per
laps, can still believe. But IL 1t the
same with you that 1t used to be? Do
pou," with . little sob. "lovs me as well
aow as In those old days7 Just the same
Not" going nearer to him and laying her
hand upon his breast, and raising agoniz-
ID eyes to him. mot one bit less?"
II love you q thousand times more" i"
says he. very quietly, but with such inten-
,ity that 1t enters into her very soul.
"WhyT He has laid his own hand over
the small, nervous one lying on his breast,
and his face has grown very white.
Because love you, too!'
my beloved!' says he In a faint, quick
way. He Is holding her to him now with
all his might. She can feel the quick pull
sations Of his heart. Suddenly she slips
her soft arms around his neck, and now
with her head pressed against his shoul-
der, bursts into q storm Of tears. 1t Is q
last shower.
They are both silent for long time. and
then he, raising one Of her hands, presses
the palm against his lips. Looking up at
him, she smiles, uncertainty but happily,
a very rainbow Of a smile. born Of sun
shine, and, rain drops gone. It seems to
beautify her lips. But Felix, while &C.
its charm, cannot smile back
at her. 1t Is all too strange. too new
He is afraid to believe. As yet there is
terrible to him in this happi.
ness that has fallen into his life.
"You mean itY' he asks, bending over
h0r ssIf o-naorroW w0se 20 waAe ana
0nd an this an Idle dream, how would II
be with me then? Say you mean itw
"Am not hereT says she, tremulously,
making a slight but eloquent pressure on
one Of the arms that are round her. He
bends his face to hers, and as he feels
that first glad eager kiss returned-he
Knows!
CHAPTER XXI.
OF course Barbara 10 delighted. She
proves charming as q confidante. Nothing
,an exceed the depth Of her sympathy.
When Joyce and Felix came in together
in the darkening twilight, entering the
house in Q burglarious fashion through the
dining room window, 1t 30 happens that
Barbara II there, and Ii at once struck by
sense of guilt that seems to surround
and envelop them. They had not, indeed,
anticipated meeting Barbara In that room
of all others, and are rather taken aback
when they come face to face with her.
II assure you we have not come after
the spoons" says Felix, In q would-be
careless tone that could not have deceived
an infant, and with laugh so frightfuily
careless that It would have terrified the
life out Of you.
"You certainly don't look like it," say.
Mrs. Monkton, whose heart has begun to
beat high with hope. "You haven't the
requisite murderous expression" she says,
unable to resist touch Of satire. "YOu
look rather frightened, you two. What
have you been doingY' She is too good
natured not to give them an opening for
their confession.
"Not much, and yet good DEAL" says
Felix. IL confess I have stolen some
thing belonging to you"
"Oh, no; not stolen" says Joyce, in a
rather faint tone. Barbara, I know
what you will think, but"
II know what do think" cries Bar.
bara, joyously. "Oh, Is 1t, can II be trueT"
It never occurs to her that Felix now Is
not altogether q brilliant match for a sis
ter with a fortune-she remembers only
in that lovely mind of hers that he had
loved Joyce when she was without pen
ny, and that he is now what he had al.
ways seemed to her, the one man who
could make Joyce happy.
Eyes; 1t 10 true!' says Dysart. He has
given up that unsuccessful gayety now
and has grown very grave; there Is even
a slight tremble in his voice. He comes
M to Mrs. Monkton and takes both her
hands. "She has given herself to me. You
are really glad! You are not angry about
n? know I am not good enough Tor her,
but"
Here Joyce gives way to a little out
burst of mirth that Is rather tremulous,
and coming away from the unfriendly
wall. that has not been Of the least use to
her. brings herself somewhat shamefaced-
" into the only light the room receives
through the western window. The twi.
lisht at all events II kind to her. 1t Il
aifacult to see her facss
81 really can't stay here" says sne
"and listen to my own praises being sung.
And besides" turning to Felix. a lovely
but embarrassed face, Barbara will moi
regard it as you do; she will. on the con
trary, say you are a great deal too good
for me, and that ought to be pilloried for
all the trouble I have given through moi
being able to make up my own mind fol
80 long a time"
"Indeed, I shall say nothing but tnal
you are the dearest girl in the world, and
that I'm delighted things have turned out
10 well. I always said It would be like
this" cries Barbara, exultantly. who Ger
tainly never had said 1t, and had always
Indeed been distinctly doubtful about 1t.
"Is Mr.. Monkton inr' says Felix, In 9