Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1900-04-04

dettie with him. The landlady of the
house where he was staying happened
to have some tickets sent to her. and she
begged Miss Ray to accept one. Hettie.
who seldom had any kind Of cnJnya,rn,
whose life was one monotonous round u:
duty, was eager to avail herself nf II
Martin Ray raised no objection: he would
be busy that evening with his compan-
Ions, and she could please herself.
Hettie was delighted. She had grown
into q lovely girl. She had not the bril-
liancy Of Leah; she had not her fire anu
passion: she lacked her spirit and DARN.
But she was sweet and loving: her an
gelic face told of an angelic nature. he
fair, tranquil loveliness touched men
hearts as does the strain OF sweet music.
Her life had not been Il happy one The
loss of his brilliant daughter. for whom
he had formed such great plans. had sour
ed and embittered Martin Ray. From the
moment that Hettie had drawn away
from Leah, and placed her arms around
her fathers neck, she had been most de-
voted to him: with angelic patience she
had borne with all his discomfort. his
grumbling, his angry denunciatiOn. his
sullen resentment against the whole
No words could tell how she had
thought of her beautiful sister-how she
dreamed of her, longed for her-how she
tried to fancy what she had grown like
and what she was doing. Going to Lon
don made her think of Leah more than
ever.
The desire of her heart was unexpect-
edly granted. She went to the theatcr,
little dreaming that her sister would be
there on that same evening in all her bril-
liancy and magnifcence. Hettie and her
compa anion were in the pit-and even that
seemed a great thing to the girl. The
landlady had apologized: she would have
liked to take Miss Ray to the dress cir
cle, but 1t was not possible. Simple, kind
" Hettie protested that the pit was the
very best part of the theater-it was cool
er, and one could see the stage better:
which view of the matter largely helped
to comfort her companion.
While the curtain was down, Hettie
amused herself by looking round the
house. The scene was a complete novelty
to her. She enjoyed seeing the fair faces.
the rich dresses, cleaning jewels and ex-
uuisite bouquets. After a short time she
noticed that the attention of many people
was directed toward box in the grand
tier She wondered what was the source
of attraction, and she looked herself in
the same direction. Her eyes brightenet
and her beautiful features assumed an
expression of wonder. 1t could never be
and yet She saw a lady dressed
superbly in satin of the color of the most
delicate heliotrope, with suite of mag
nificent opals-a handsome woman with
a stately, graceful bearing, her face a
charming combination Of refinement and
happiness. Her hair was fastened with
diamond stars. Before her lay bouquet
of scarlet passion flowers. The graceful.
arch of the neck, the cleaning white
shoulders, the proud carriage Of the head
were all Leah's.
A cry rose to Hettie's white lips, which
she repressed; her heart beat fast, and
something like mist came before her
eyes. This magnificent woman. in all
the splendor Of dress and jewels. sur
rounded by all that was gorgeous. was
Leah, her sister. Could it be possible
that that beautiful head had ever rested
on her breast, that night after night she
had slept with that figure closely clasped
in her arms? Was that the face she had
kissed in such an agony when they part
ed? She gazed at it long and earnestly
Hettie's heart yearned for her. She could
lave stretched out her arms to her and
eried out her name; but she had promised
never again to speak one word to the sis
ter whom she loved so dearly-never
ncain. Something more bitter than death
had parted them. Hettie saw no more 81
the stage until Leah's companion rose
and both disappeared: she kept her eye.
fixed ON the proud face of her sister.
From that evening a very fever OF ui.
tappiness seized Hettie. She longed St
intensely to see Leah again; her thoughts
were always with her.
At last the fever of longing mastered
her. She would not break her promise
she would not speak to her; but she muSi
look upon her face again. For days she
struggled hard to find few moments
leisure. Her father went out. and was
not to return until after midnight. Quick
as thought she dressed herself. 1t was
lust eight o'clock. and she would probably
be in time to see Leah leave Harbury
House for whatever ball or party she
might be attending.
Those who lived in that noble mansion
little thought that the fair young sister
of their beautiful mistress stood outside
for many hours with a wistful look OIL
her pale face, her eyes fixed on the great
entrance door. Leah had left the house
before she reached it; but Hettie was re-
solved to wait for her return. 1t would
have touched heart of stone to see the
patient figure walking mp and down with
tireless footsteps.
At last came the sound of wheels
lights appeared. as though by magic. in
the windows of the great house. The
carriage drew up before the hall door
and the footman descended. Hettie drew
hack into the shade as Hood of hight
fell upon the pavement. She saw the
carriage door flung open. the general de
scend first, and then Leah. She saw the
lovely face, more beautiful than ever, en-
veloped in mass of soft white lace
Leah made some laughing remark as shs
stepped from the carriage to the ground
and Hettie saw that she carried bou-
auet Of scarlet flowers IN her hand IN
another minute she had passed tnrouso
the wide-open door.
Then Hettie came forward ana toucheo
the footman on the arm.
Il will give you." she said. a soSer-
,ien for the flowers that lady carries ~ y,
her hand. Could You get them Tor me II
] remain hereF .;.hmort
The man looked at her IN astonlsnnent. :.
"Do you understandT she went . ON
ouickly. 81 will give you soverelSn ~, ~,
the flowers which that lady carried !"
her hand" ..u m her
sweet. upraised face. and the man was
H what do you want them forF ne ASK
. .Never mind" she replied. - 90 - ~nn' a..
NJ not waste time talking 10 lne'
mt ret them II you cea.