Pike County press. (Milford, Pa.) 1895-1925, 1910-09-09
ACCORDING TO
MILLER SVILLE

enurCh- MISS Wilson was passing
down the centre aisle. radiant in her
white gown and large. black hat; her
head proudly uplifted. ber eyes smil-
ing. Beside her was her mother, shy,
gentle, appealing. with the, soft eTcs
and sweet face that the village had so
soon learned to love. The presence
OF these two Afforded no occasion. for
comment. as they had appeared every
Sunday since the first Of the summer.
but following them was TIE, object
that rendered the occasion memorn-
bic. Il was no other than man,
tan and broad till he seemed 10 al
the whole church when he entered.
His features we're ciear-cut and pleas.
ant. and his clothes we're made and
worn in a fashion wholly foreign to
Hillersviile.
-Collegei" Jake Kent's whisper cut
through the air Of suspense that hung
over the congregation His sister tit.
tsred outright, and Mrs Kent pilenced
them both with . resoundins slap Of
her fan.
Yes, the mystc7Y was solved; the
reason for Miss Wilson's Indifference
explained. Ever since she aud her
mother had come to live in the little
gray house at the corner she had been
beset BY every eligible man the VII sge
and surrounding town could boast
There was the minister. the rising.
young architect. and even Harry
Barns with his wealth and college
sducation-~ To one and all she had
been kind, but politely Indifferent;
and the village marveled that SO love
iy form could hide heart 80 stony.
II no longer wondered Even Harry
Barns paled beside the charms OF this
young Adonls.
The retreat Of the trio was cut on
after church by shy advances. Miss
Wilson met them halfway, and there
was look Of sweet mischief in her
eyes when she introduced "Mr. Rod
ney."
mo Wonder!" declared Mrs. Kent,
As she watched them slowly departing
along the road. What could the boys
eXpect~
But the town was still agog with
curiosity No one could state what re-
iation the young man bore to Miss
Wilson. II was left for Nettie Haynes
to discover, and this she did no later
than that very afternoon. She had
taken q book up on Curtis Hill and
was sitting in the grove by the brook
trying 10 read. when approaching
voices arrested her attention. Miss
Wilson and Mr.. Rodney came along
the other side Of the stream and sat
down on a large, aat rock. The girls
fAce was sad, and her eyes full Of
unahed teara. To the breathless
watcher she was the personincation Of
tragedy.
"You see," the man was saying
taking her hand and trying to draw
her to him, you see"-but she inter.
ruptsd protesting:
II Just cannot bear to lose you,
Ben; Just can't bear It. dear"
Her tears overiowed and she shook
with sudden sobs. The man took her
in his arms.
Don't kiddy. don't" he murmured.
Others bear It Anyway II is too late
now. have got TO marry her"
Here the horror-stricken Nettie
dropped behind the bushes and rolled
over and over down the hill away
from them. With winged feet she
spread the news that Adonis had jilt-
ed Miss Wilson, or, worse yet was
bound BY some dreadful scandal 10
another woman.
Sympathetic looks followed Miss
Wilson wherever she went for the
next few days. When she and her
mother took the train for town on
Wednesday, new and exciting specu-
lAtions arose No knowing how they
/ might have ended had she not put a
stop to them BY returning. The mode
Of her return again took the town by
its cara
She stepped on the train accom-
pauied BY her mother. Behind them
came Mr.. Rodney. and he in turn
reached up and lifted down a pretty
little stranger. No one could dispute
the fact Of her lovelinesa. and the
look Of alteration on her face forever
settled the question Of her relation
ship TO Mr.. Rodney.
Miss Wilson was a little pale. bul
held her head proudly. and her face
was very gentle. She fairly bumped
into Mrs. Kent. and there was nothlnl
to do but pause and apologize. This
time the pretty little stranger was al
her elbow. She put an arm about her
Z want you to meet my sister. Mrs
Kent"
That lady gasped. u did not know
you had q sister" she faultered.
lGiss Wilson smiled. II never die
untii yesterday when Ben was mar
Red
7 aid not know" began Mrs. Ken
again
Miss Wilson's eyes fairly danced
That ha6 q brother? Why Mr. Rod
ney Il my half protherl-
Mrs. Kent gakped. gurgled, and fad
"a away stili murmuring; Il did no
knOW-I aid not know"
AEias Wilson turned. linking hel
arm in that Of the other gtri. Her at
sitnde vas ens Of generous submis
sion 10 the swestness and charm o
haF sAstss.
'-rhey are q funny. quaint people.
nhs said, -and We eouh not rests
\ lilDeling them. They have thought tina
\ Ben va my sweetheartl"-HELEH
Il mWfN