Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1900-03-14
CHAPTER III.

and begone"
CHAPTER III.
1 1t was an impressive scene. The fine
| tall figure Of the officer was drawn to its
full height, his face was expressive Of in.
| tense scorn. Martin Ray seemed to shrink
into insignifcance before him, and yet he
faced him with a desperate kind Of Sour-
age. The two girls had drawn close to.
gether. as though seeking protection from
! each other. The wan sunlight lay in yel.
low bars along the floor.
| II have not come hither." said Gen.
Hatton, Ito handy words with you-to
seek a quarrel with you. You are one
with N6om no gentleman could quarrel
| [ have a message from the dead, and !
wish to deliver It. Show me my sister,
| children
They are here" said Martin Ray. not
| without a certain amount Of dignity
tine good children of a good mother"
Gen. Hatton waved his hand with a
| gesture of scOrn. No word about his
| lead sister. could be tolerated from the
| man whom he thought utterly vile and
base. He went to the girls, who stood.
| with fear on their faces, hand in hand.
| The composed, well-bred manner, the low
bow, and the courteous bearing were
something novel to them. He looked into
each sweet, shrinking face.
My sisters children" he said, "have
you any word Of welcome for me! !
bring a message from your mother"
Leah freed her hand from her sisters
clasp and held 1t out to him. He drew
her to him, and kissed the pale young
face. She found that he was trembling
with agitation and emotion. Then he took
Hettie In his arms and kissed her also.
~ was quite q young man." he said,
when I left home, and your mother was
much younger than l. She was my dear
ly beloved sister, playmate, and treasure.
1t was q great grief to me to be obliged
to part from her when l went abroad. l
remember her face, and in yours l see
some trace Of it. What word Of welcome
have you for meT'
Impulsive Leah threw her arms around
him, and raised her face to his.
Welcome home, dear uncle" she said.
What is your name, dear child?' he
asked.
Leah" she replied.
Leah! It is beautiful, sorrowful
name. Why did your mother give it to
you? Did she foresee q shadow In your
life? You look like Leah; no other name
would suit you. And you?" he continued,
turning to the younger sister.
Il am Hettie," she said.
Heaven bless you, my dear; you have
a sweet face of your own! Your mother
bade me-here is the letter-you can read
it-she bade me. when I returned home.
seek you, find you and save you"
Save us!' cried Leah. From whatY
''She must have known what she was
writing" replied the general. ''She was
sweet-tempered and never complained; ;
but she died young, and Of no complaint
to which men could give q name. She
was not happy, and she asked me to save
you"
Martin Ray stepped forward.
Il will not allow you to speak in that
fashion," he said. Their mother loved
me, and they love me; you will never set
my children against me-"
Il have no wish to do so," said the gen
eral, coldly. knowing your true charac-
ter, as l suspect my sister knew 1t before
her death, can imagine you to be quite
unfit to have the charge Of young girls;
therefore / bring their mothers message
to them. and they can make their choice"
"Why am I uu6tT' cried Martin Ray.
his face white with rage-'fn what
way?"
II iudee YOU from your public charac
ter. You are without honor, honesty and
loyalty; you are the very ringleader OF Sc
dition: treason 10 . natural atmosDher"
20 you. You live on the hard earnings
,f the people you mislead. You spread
iisaffection,. rebellion. ruin. misery ano
death wherever you Co."
A low cry came from Leah's lips. 1t
seemed to her that these words OF ner
,ncle's gave life to a horrible specter mat
aad always haunted her.
"If." continued the soldier, you were
honest. I should have some respect Tor
you. But you are an impostor; you, ana
such as you, live ON the hard-earned
nence Of the men you deceive. II you
rave to the people. instead Of taking from
them, one might have some little faitn IN
ysu."
"I have Given my life to the cause
have at heart" rejoined Martin Ray.
"You are not Q ct person TO have tne
.harRe Of girls like these. You woulo
sell them, heart and soul. to further your
eause;" and Leah shrank at the wo5ds,
sudden pain pieFciAs her heart. hoo