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

CHAPTER I.
Il don't and won't believe It! There
must be some mistake. It's too bad to
he true"'
This reckless assertion came from the
lips of tall girl of seventeen, who was
leaning her shabby elbows on a wide. old
fashioned window sill, and looking out on
steady dOwnpour, in an attitude Of the
deepest detection; staring blankly at the
whity-gray sky, the dripping bushes, the
roses like sponges, and the fattened flow
er beds, with her pretty face drowned in
tears.
Behind her, gazing gloomily over her
head, with his hands in the pockets of his
shooting coat, stood a young man. No,
not her lover-for in him We trace a
strong family likeness, and notice the
same very dark blue eyes and crisp,
brown hair-he is merely her youngest
brother, who, five minutes previously, had
burst into the room and abruptly inform
ed her that, lust as he expected, he had
been spun for the army, and it was his
luck all over" On the carpet beside
him lay the Morning Post, containing a
list of the successful candidates, among
whom, alas! the name Of Edward Braba-
zon does not appear.
PLEASE yourself, my good girl! Be
lieve it or not, as you like" he returned
gruffiy; Il don't fancy it will make much
difference at the Horse Guards. l really
wish to goodness, Esme, you would not
go on like this"
But it was your last chance" she
sobbed, in a muffied tone "And, after
working so hard, and reading for hours
and hours, with a wet towel round your
head-it's too hard"
Zine weather for young ducks" sud
denly interrupted a gay treble voice; and
another girl, having pushed the door open
with her knee, entered slowly, bearing
tray covered with jam pots.
She is Miss Brabazon-Augusta, known
as Gussie, in the bosom Of her family;
not so tall as Esme, and not nearly so
pretty; still, as she says herself, "she Is
by no means an unprepOssessing young
person." She has q bright, vivacious
q pair Of twinkling, mischievous brown
eyes, neat little figure, and an impudent
nose.
..Tears! she exclaimed, carefully de-
posting her tray on the school room ta-
BILE. What has happened7 Who is
dead? or il it only one .of the dogsT
"The list is out. and I've been spun.
replied her brother.
"Oh, nonsensew she cried, with a gasp
of incredulity "You don't mean to say
so," almost snatchiDg the paper out of
his hand in her eagerness to verify the
fact.
And that odious young Thomas has ac-
tualIy passed." she exclaimed, at length.
"A miserable little creature in spectacies'
who could never originate one single re
mark beyond Yes, Miss Brabazon, NO,
Miss Brabazon,' Thank you, Miss Braba-
zon,' that positively dared not say Boo
to the proverbial goose! And talking OF
saying Boo to a goose, who Is to break
this to Mrs. B.Y'
81 am, l Supposed returned the broth
er, doggedly. st is the third occasion l
have had to break the same news to
her, as you call it. There's a kind of
fatal familiarity about the subject oy
this timer
"Mr. Edward, II you please, the mis-
tress wishes to speak to you In the draw
ing room at once" said q grim-looking,
elderly woman from the doorway; per-
son whose figure resembled deal board
covered with tight black alpaca dress;
"To me! To speak to me. Nokes =
suddenly sitting upright.
Eyes, Mr.. Edward, to speak to you'
she answered in q tone of decorous decis-
ion; a tone which, being interpreted py
these experienced young people, mean.. ~.
"And won't you just catch 1t, that's al!
"Then she must have seen IT, exclaiin'
ed Esme, in an awestruck voice. on'
Teddy"
Mrs. Brabazon Is seated at a with.
table In one Of the windows OF the draw
ing room as Teddy enters. sne IS iaoi
with a very long, upright back, pacA
,tf character a ana eApEeo-
sion of its own, and that of an agsres
siye nature. When we look into ner race,
We discover that she Is between forty anu
Aftv dark and sallow, with thln IpS
nIncbed together in q manner tnat poues
nut i'll for Master Teddy; IN TACT, nei
countenance is the embodiment OF ,nui
der cloud. as she waits In an atutuue u
r;n;d exnectancy. with the Times spreao
ont before her, her eyes hxeo Oh ohe
ticular column, engaged IN tne a -
...L ~ nursing her wrath to Keep II
warm. She heard the door open anu
close. she heard his approaching ioo's Ir
v,;tbout moving for fully Sixty seeonuo
Az length she turned her neao sish"!
ward the culprit. and saio, ,ho
which had gathered intensity ioA
nreccding awful pause. -,
..Ch,s 10 n nice business!' rapping tne
nar before her with an impressive iore
snser "Pray what have you got TO sd!
Ha ,,orrself. sir-eh? 1 hope you are
ashamed. Only" hastily CORRECTING ne
.oIf "it is not in your nature
.sh,med of anything. Come, WIN a
terk of her chair, speak; ana oon ''"A'
thers looking like fool. -,
"What can 1 say, Mrs. Brabazon1 a1
mod Teddy, with heightened Color; ~.
~, fully sorry l failed to pass. o
~. usrv hest as far as working went.
~. CORY for all the time that mas oeen
vnsted-"
oAnd money" interpolated she '1'''
sharply. ou .ay." he continued;
60 am very sorry you snou'o Ill IT'S
.moh disappointed; but. a1ter shall
nauaher on me than anyone eise
no the chief sufferer; -, .h. cried. glar-
Cniei Is, w,th her fiery little conu me-
ing at nun a,ou a sufferer! you ia,e,
eolorea ca 'for-uothing lout! ms ;.h Is this his
third time you've come 10 70 ~ Suffer, in
.ame story-failed to pass. .h,t unlucky
s.adr~ charging back on .rss ,n that has
~esd SIt has been my p'f' .,;,d
"o.'- Won must make up your your mitS, mlho
suffered! iou own bread, and thar w, WIN.
to earn youi never dreamed OF an;ns na
out delay. .on. and what with keep apce
to suppori, IT, ~ and Florian's aliI" S"nd d
and your sisters eNpen"
oever out Of my pocRe'., ,.o, Of spending
"Stfll there is soou oe