Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1900-03-28
CHAPTER VI.

her fayorite spot, the terrace. where the
passion flowers grew in such profusion.
She smiled as she gathered some Of the
flowers, remembering the name passion
flower had been given to herself.
Then her thoughts went to Hettie. who
aad loved the sweet white lilies best
How different life would be if that below
ed sister were here. how doubly precious
this grand domain if Hettie shared it.
In th" cleaning light on the river in the
tire Of the scarlet passion-fower, in the
flowers of the gay parterre. she saw the
sweet, fair face with its aureole of golden
hair. Would they ever meet again? Alb
uptIy she saw Sir Arthur standing close
90 her. a stranger by his side.
Leah" said the general, "our neigh
boz Sir Basil Carlton, has been kind
enough to waive ceremony and call upon
Us first. Sir Basil, my adopted daughter
and dear niece, Miss Hatton."
\ great hush, a great calm came oven
her. She saw noble face. full OF fire
and impetuosity; she saw dark eyes and
straight brows, 4 firm mouth, dark clus-
tiers Of hair, and dark mustache- Yet
beauty was not the chief charm of the
strangers face; courage and dauntless
truth shone there. Most people, when
struck by his handsome features and
manly bearing. but they were attracted
even more when the eyes took a tender
hight and the mouth a smile as sweet as
any woman's.
Il like England better than Italy, said
Sir Basil, suddenly, after a few remarks.
You cannot think what a picture you
made, Miss Hatton, standing against this
background of foliage and flowers"
You have been in Italy for many
years?' she said, quietly.
He drew just little nearer to her. \
great. trailing spray of passion-howers
.ay between them; he raised it, and she
thought to herself how strange coinci-
ience it was that she should see him with
her favorite blossoms in his hand.
Il was a boy OF eleven when l went
away" he said. "and now l am twenty
five. Coming home is a very melancholy
event for me, as you perhaps know"
Yes; we have heard the cause of your
mothers departure from England-and n
very painful one it was, Sir BASIL SAID
the general
Leah looked up at him; all her sou
shone in her eyes.
LET US help you to forget the shadow
which has fallen over your house ant
your life," she said; and his face bright
ened."
Il shall be only too happy, Miss Hat
ton. l dreaded my return l remember
ed the Glen as one of the loveliest OF
homes. l have longed to be here. Yet
the memory of that night will never leave
me-" His whole face changed. MY
mother lived fifteen years after the acci
dent happened; but the shock her system
had received killed her at last"
Leah's dark eyes, full OF interest and
sympathy, filed with tears; and, as he
saw them, his heart warmed to her. How
long it was since any one had shed tear
for this old sorrow of his.
1T must have been a terrible shock fol
you both" said Leah.
Yes; was only boy, but l worship
ed my sister. You cannot tell how deep
ly attached l was to her. l think the
love of a sister is one OF the greatest joy
on earth
Why did the fair face near him grow
50 pale? Why did the graceful hgur,
shrink and tremble, the hand that he.G
the scarlet flowers suddenly fall nerve
less and helpless? Was it another coin
cidence that he should value SO highl.
Il sisters love?
IF l were in your place, BASIL" saiG
the general, Il would have plenty OF
friends about me. Stay with US to-day
and tomorrow we will drive over ant
see your gardens and conservatorieA. W.
have a pleasant party, and I think yor
will enjoy yourself"
He looked at Leah.
II shall be delighted" she said, simply
a faint flush dyeing her face.
so shall l." replied Sir Basil.
And that was how the first day Of Leai
Hatton', earthly paradise began.
As the days passed on, the intimac.
between Leah and the baronet increased
The general grew warmly attached to ST.
Basil. He said-what was a great thing
for him to say-that.- if heaven had bless
ed him with a son, he should have liked
him to resemble Sir Basil. All the visit
ars-and they were many-admired an.
liked him; he was a general favorite, an,
he spent far more of his time at Bren;
wood than at Glen.
II happens 50 often that a great love
ia layished in vain. Sir Basil saw moth
ing of Leah's. He admired her exceed
fngly. but he pever dreamed Of loving
her.
The duchess, who had said to herseli
that she would not interfere, did jus
This one thing-she told Sir Basil of RI,
,plendid triumphs that Leah had achiev
ID. and how she had passed through thrc,
such seasons as few even of the mos
brilliant beauties had ever experienced
She told him of the offers of marriag'
made to her, and how she had refuse
them all.
..Why did she refuse them?" he asked
The duchess meant to do kindly ac
,;o, uhap she answered:
"She has ideas that are peculiar 70
the nineteenth century; they are. maj
say, obsolete
He looked anxiously at her. sh'
thought.
What ideas?" he asked-"if my ques
ton may be answeredT'
Il am sure I may answer it, said tn
duchess. Miss Hatton has romantic
ideas that are quite out of date Maj
riage in these days is an arrangement
She might have been Duchess Of Bar
berry if she had liked; but she is roman
tic. and will never marry until she cal
marry for love-
THAT seems TO me right" said Sil
Basil.
Il am glad you think so,' returned th'
duchess, dryly. But Miss Hatton ma
another theory. 1t is this-that TOT e'
cry person in this world there are one
love and one lover-half souls. she caiii
them, if you can understand tha term
She believes that she will recognize nei
half soul, or lover, whenever she see'
him"