Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1900-08-29
CHAPTER V.-(Continued

"Oh. Esme. exclaimed her sister. in Q
chOkcd voice, you will be the death of
me After your saying you would only
bow tn him: after hearing that he was SO
deadly shy. Oh-oh-Oh" holding heI
sides. ard rocking herself backward anG
forward an absolute convulsiOns of laugh
ter. while the unlucky heroine of this, Il
Gussic. killing adventure. stood in the
middle OF the room, a tall, tragic looking
figure. and surveyed her with stony-eyed
resentment.
"And-and-Wha am to say" painted
Hussic. recovering her breath at last, ant
drying her eyes as she spoke. 'HOw Il
your absence to be accounted for, prayi
Am ! TO tell Mrs. b. that having already
embraced-'
Say with an indignant gesture. paus
ing in her walk-'say that am extreAe
ly i'll: and so 1 am. in mind"
IF l give her that message she viii
Immediately send for DR.. Goggin. and
your last state will be worse than your
first"
Then say anything you like" irritably.
"Say that I'm not going down: no, not
il she came and carried me herself. In
deed. Gussie. you must think of some ex.
cuse. You know very well," stammerine
with excitement, that you yourself
would not so ino public after such Q
frightful disgrace; and l think" now re-
commencing to cry, that l shall never
be able to look anyone in the face again"
did he recognize you, do you think
Did he return your embrace with equal
ardorY'
Not he; he rather held back. which
naturally surprised me. He was too much
astonished to speak, and i never gave
hin> time to open his mouth. l was sc
sur. and certain it was Teddy; only. il
l ld not been an idiot. ! might have re-
menbered that Ted would he in uniform;
but l never gave myself time TO think,
and just sprang on him like n tigress."
And did he see your face!''
I'm lot sure" slowly. IL think not.
l need scarcely tell you that one glance
was enough for me, and l ran. l believe
you are enjoying the whole thing, and
thinking it splendid joke" said she. an
griiy; "and it's very unfeeling OF you.
lou may tell NOkes 10 send me a cup Of
tea. I'm going straight TO bed. And
now be sure and give proper, probable
account of my illness. Impress upon them
that it will be tedious. l have it-a bad
headache. l know I'm going to have
one running after her sister to the head
of the stairs, and gesticulating eagerly
over the balusters. BE sure you say o
headache, and remember that I'm very
bad To all this Gussie nodded a con-
fdential, smiling acquiescence. as she
tripped hurriedly downstairs.
Where is Esme?" demanded Mrs. Bra
bacon. in tone of sharp surprise, as her
eldest stepdaughter entered the drawing
room alone.
''She is not feeling very well, Mrs. Bra
bnzon, and begs you will excuse her,
returned Gussie, avoiding, as she spoke,
three pairs of inquisitive eyes.
'.Esme il-rubbishT" circulated Flo
rian Il saw her in the avenue an hour
ago. Brothers are sometimes brutal.
She won't be able to come down to
dinner" protested Gussie. "Sbe has q
bad toothache-no, l mean to say split
ting headache" becoming very red. and
flounderng about in a sea Of vague ex'
cuses, while her mother and brother vol
lied exclamations and crOss-questioned
and Miles sat by, pulling Waggy's ears
with a command of countenance that
would have reflected credit on North
American Indian.