Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1900-10-31
CHAPTER XIX

To Mr.. Bell was sent the telegram an
bouncing Teddy's death, and it was with
heavy heart that he walked up to Bar
onsford that lovely June morning. He
himself had been very fond Of the fam
lly scapegrace, and his usually CHEEKY,
ruddy countenance was downcast and
.OOked graver and less hOrid than usual.
Everything around seemed out OF keeping
with the tidings Of which he was the
oearer. A bright blue sky, unclOuded BY
wen one tiny white fleece, busy bees
Gaming Importantly to and fro, butter
lies hickering and darting across his
oath, the air loaded with the sweet per
June Of new-mown hay, and birds sing
ng in the bushes as il they were holding
| morning concert. Mr.. Bell, with eight
words in his pocket, is going to turn this
house Of sunshine and laughter into
louse Of gloom and mourning. The swing
loor flew back with a bang, and display
d Gussie, tennis bat in hand, a grotssque
scarlet felt hat with embroidered sun
lower on her head. Hurry, hurry. Es-
ne, don't be all day! oh, Mr.. Bell as
she suddenly confronted him, this is
piece Of luck! the very man to make up
4 set at tennis" she cried, affectionately.
Come along at once. you shall be my
partner. There's going to be tourna-
ment at the ClippertOn's tomorrow, and
We want to get our hands well in.
Well does Mr.. Bell know that neither
tomorrow, nor for many to-mOrrows, will
there be a tennis tournament for them.
His face unconsciously conveys a rehec-
lion Of his thoughts, his round. merry
ountenance looks grave, his twinkling.
frank. blue eyes dim and misty.
Annie. who had seen that there was
something wrong at the very first glance,
hurried TO him with a white, startled
face, and said, meekly:
Its not Miles, is itT'
NO" he returned, averting his glance
and shaking his head.
..Then it is Teddy" cried Esme, with
Iiyid lips, having but that moment come
uton the scene. 1T is, it is. l see 1t In
rour face. Mr.. Bell. He has been wound
,di I'm sure he has," with sudden con-
yiction. seizing the rector by the arm
"a she spoke. "Oh." in a voice of concen-
rated anguish, do not be afraid to tell
ne the worst! l can bear ii. l can, IN
Iced. l have a right to know hrst, In
rerposing herself between him and the
,lrawing room door. rs he badly wound
pd?"
.J must see Mrs. Brabazon. he re-
turned. huskily, pushing her aside win
,ssumed brusaueness. and shaking OH her
detaining hand with a gesture u decis,
ion For once he was glad and thankiu
~ .eek sanctuary with the head of the
house in her own apartment. and 10 snu'
ont that girls agonized white face.
What news was he telling Mrs. Braba
o, behind that fast shut door? The
rbree he had left outside ste in the nal,
IN torture of suspense that petrihed
tbe mower OF speech. but their eyes asked
40 On other the fatal question, WHO was
~, Miles was safe, both Annie ano
E.ue felt with a blessed thrill Of reiief
but Teddy, Florian!
Alas, they would know soon enough
within half an hour not only they-thf
household-but Miss Jane, and the entire
,,iI,ape had heard the bad news. fha'
,o;,her as priyate nor officer would an!
- them again see Edward Bra bacon
,over again would his hearty laugh ano
constant il somewhat tuneless. whistle
he heard about the Mexton lanes. ne'e'
aoa;n would he pound the field win .n'
barriers on a fOur-year-old colt. ihh
time the blinds were pulled down IN earn
est for poor TEDDY.
Mr, Brabazon wept and walled an'
carried on" to quote the servants s.'
would set up handkerchiefs WIN poi.e.
tious black borders to meet the
ry. But while Gussie was Amos. une
ognizabIe from crying, Esme nao ~
.bed one tear! She refused 10 o ~,
n she went dry-eyed ana STONY
about the house. with an ar lilo OF .nd sn11. un
composure. very quiet very PEI. ps,.' ~ eor th
nd,uraro n,hers ,o whisper % that they wished & sh
would cry" that she might find the. the Ols,s ss'
ed relief of tears. she wnose d te r. wa
sIw.y. been so easily provoked. 's ~ W..
rse,es.. she could not. Il cannot
!, :" she said to her sister. "Wny snoui'
hc be taken among hundredsf Lsen % 3.
he were, 1 don't think l woo'o %u .aem + +
nv heart seems like a stone. ! 'eem :
my my mo no feeling about anything now:
G"..ie Gavv " was very sorry for Teddy in ne ne
own way; indeed, quite as sorry as. =. - :
could be for anyone. She ne' '