Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1900-10-17
CHAPTER XVI,


What has happened now? whence this
beaminS face and these seraphic snnilesr'
Inquired Gussie, raising her eyes laEly
from her book, as her sister entered the
room.
I've just had a letter from Miles," re-
piled Esme, hastily advancing with an
air Of bashful elation; "such a nice let
terw
"Oh, is that it? rejoined Miss Braba-
.oa, in a very wintry tone Of voice. And
pray what has he got to say for himselfY'
"Oh, Of course he is in a dreadful state
Of mind. believe it is really worse for
him now than it ever-was for me-" lem
iently.
II should hope So" with little, angry
sniff. II should humbly trust that he
was pretty thoroughly ashamed Of him
self and his insane and idiOtic behavior.
You got out of the business better than
could have been expected, thanks to Mrs.
BIS presence Of mind and talent for in
veutiOn: assuring everyone that at the
very last minute Miles had been compel
ed to 20 on foreign servicel
THAT only passed with outsiders" said
Esme, shaking her head; 'of course all
the servants and the villagers and the
Bells knew; and the way people used to
stop on the road and look after me, or
whisper together and point. was too, toe
dreadful"
"The little trip you took with Aunt
Jane sDoothed over matters: that and
Mrs. B.sSSco0rageous Sfabf3catons: so
don't be ungrateful."
Yea" dubiously; ''in askind OF way;
but still I am always fancying that peo-
Die are staring at me and talking about
me-"
; Nonsense, my dear. Your affair is
forgotten long ago; you are not Of such
importance as you imagine; 1t was only
a nine days wonder"
"Yes, dare say you are right, Gussie
people have had heaps Of other things to
think about. All" now drawing a long
sigh of relief, "of course 1t does not mat
ter, as it's all right"
What on earth do you meanT' de
manded Augusta. sharply. turning hall
round in her chair, and surveying her sis
ter critically.
II mean that the wedding dress, locked
away upstairs, will be worn, after all
when he comes home," said Esme shyly
To this remark there was no answer fol
at least a minute, and then Gussie said
very decidedly:
"Esme, you must be mad: you would
not think Of marrying him nowT speak
ing as it were in capital letters.
"And pray, why notT' regarding he'
sister with angry biushes.
He did not say anything about 1t ir
his letter, did he" apprehensively.
There was no occasion; We are al
much engaged as before: there Is nc
change.
not, by no means" sarcasticaIy. "Wha'
are you going to live upon, you goose
Your money is being turned into bricks
and mortar at the other side of the globe
and Miles Is q genteel pauper, who viii
find quite enough to do to keep himself
much less you, and your excellent appe
tite," with homely candor.
ut"-hesitatingly- Gussie.
have some money"
Not a penny unless you marry II
please Mrs. B., and she hates Miles like
poison"
ct think you are very unkind. to say
III these horrfd things" returned Esme
| Indignantly and with a suspicion Of tears
/ in her voice. This is not the way l take
your good news. when you have any
and YOU always pretended to Ike Miles
$50 1 do, my sweet, silly sister, as
cousin, but not as a brother-in-law. Jus'
sit down here" giving a chair a little
nush. land listen, for a few minutes, Il
sound common sense. When Miles wa'
an eligible parti, you would not mar,
him: your accepting him at all was sim
ply because you saw him do a plucky
thing at Scarborough, and. carried OF
YOUR feet by the emotion of the moment
YOU said yes; and then the wedding wal
hurried on, and the dresses and presents
We're such delicious novelties you had no
the heart to go back! But you were nev
er one bit in love with him; you wouit
rather have Teddy's little finger thai
| fifty Mileses."
lyon are wrong, quite wrong; ever!
word YOU have said has been wrong,
| eried Esme. with blazing cheeks; be
cause Miles and l did not make an hum
| hing exhibition of ourselves and sit han'
in hand and arm in arm like other PEG
ple," expressively, "you imagine that w
that don't care for him. dover!
much"
| "Fiddle-de-dee, fiddle-de-dee. l was no
talking of love, was talking OF sense
my strong point, you will please 10 re
member! This time next year. my beaut'
| full, impulsive sister, l shall have you VI
to London, and marry you to some YER
nice, rich and, if you are very good, ctle'
young man! Think of that"
Marry anyone you like yourseif, M!
dear Gussie; but, as far as l am concern
ed, l shall never marry anyone but Mile
I-neverw
And yet, in this very room, and not 81
very long ago, you raved and stampe'
and all but tore your hair out, and deciar
ed that, dragged to the foot Of the alta
you might be. but become his bride