Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1900-08-29

I0,v y ruE 4. eUkS;s657t1lee -
ssl1, yea know, toaehes se1ool on1evsj
writso-books ON abotruae S113eGb."
~Deaxi Dearis e1acula1sd - 10Th
housemaid.
Sympathy II sweet. II any one bad
told Alexander Freer thA4 morning ht
would have been glad Of it, gift frou'
q housemaid he would have BEEN IN
credulous. But here he was. hugsing
to his nattered soul and fishing toe
more. He told her how he had nevet
known 4 real home since his mothea
died, when he was boy Of 10. Aftet
than there were schools and oolla0eA
Then travel, hotels and boaSdin0
houses. Here" he concluded. "rvS
been comfortably anchored for seven
years. with leisure for my own interests
and pursuits, and quite secure from In.
terruption. But row must give 1t ups
I never can face that gaunt creature N
specfacles, who viii talk pedanticaily
to me across the table three times .
day!'
Does she wear spectacles"
Freer lifted his head out of the pack
ing case. I'm sure she does. They al
do-the clever ones She might expec,
me to take up municipal reform. ehe"
the sweat Of fear breaking out on his
forehead-"might give me worsted
sllppers-Or a birthday edition Of poems
she might"'
That's so," assented q solemn little
| voice from the ladder. In the gilencs
that followed they heard the hall clock
strike.
Four Freer exclaimed. $50 late!
Mrs. Basset may be back any minute
Hark. isn't that her nOw?" He STUN.
bled to his feet. looking like . detected
schoolboy. There! One box il ready.
anyhow. You must let me thank you.
Miss-Miss-"
JEAN" she prompted.
Miss Jean-and take this" There
was a sound Of the door. which had
been opened with a latchkey. swinging
shut again. A heavy step came up the
stairs. "You are welcome. but I can't
take any money. Here 10 Mrs. Bas-
setv
And there, indeed, was that worthy
woman, leaning against the open door
and staring In wild astonishment at the
scene presented. The packing cases
the heaped-up books-ths confounded
owner Of the latter-the girl on the lad
der.
"Jeanettev' she cried. my dear!
What does this meanT
Il did not intend coming until to-mor-
row." Miss jeanette Wallace had de-
scended from her elevated seat and was
greeting her friend warmly. II changed
my mind at the last minute-and came.
Now I'm going to change 1t again and
go away"
"Mr. Freer," pleaded the embarrassed
landlady, what Is all this about"
MY blunder, madam he cried. re-
morsefully. Took this young lady for
the housemaid and asked her to help
me pack my books! beg her pardon,
I'm sure"
"But-packing! Were you going to
leave? oh, Mr.. Freer! And all on ac-
count Of"
"Of mel" cried jeanette. gayly. But
L Snan De your UOokuCIs 0AIb. DdSSct.
Mr.. Freer will stay"
Whereat Mr. Freer Immediately de
veloped most extraordinary contradic-
toriness.
Not unless you dor he declared,
stubbornly.
Mrs. Basset looked helplessly from
one to the other.
well, it's all right now" said Freer,
contentedly. land I'm going to unpack
these books and put them back where
they belong"
1t was pouring rain one afternoon q
couple of months later when jeanette
Wallace came forth from q meeting Of
the Woman's Club. An umbrella was
ra'sed as she stepped out. and famii
lar figure walked beside her through
the rain.
This is rashw she cried. 1T 10 al
most as bad as taking me to lectures!
But l haven't given you worsted slip
pers yet-nor a birthday edition of
poems"
Alexander Freer held the umbrella
lower-leaned closer.
mo but there is q gift I'd dearly love
to have, little Jean-and only you can
give II to mel"
"Ohw said Jean. softly.-Chicago
Tribune.