The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1871-05-23

ing they've commenced TO sprout on
EARTH"
And thus rallying hi thoroughly
captivated friend, the two made their
way to the house of an acquaintance,
with whom the were to remain that
night, and go on next day to their des-
tination-St. Louis.
After the first salntatbn, our hero
went of his room TO rebove some of
the evidences of his ldg ride from
New York. He had removed his coat
and vest collar; he HAD splashed and
washed, till his damp cutls clung close
to his shapely head, when he made a
startling discovery.
Flushed and breathless, he burst in
TO the next room upon his friend.
Townsend" cried he, "what upon
earth do you suppose I've got the
wrong bag; I've changed baggage
with the angel of mercy. Look at the
slipper. See that thimble. Contem-
plate that glover
"It's evident you've got the lady's
satchel. And what was there in
yours p
Don't bring up that dreadful idea,"
said Dick. "Cigars and hair-bI ush,
a pack. of cards, pocket.fask and a
tooth. oth.brush--everything disreputable.
If | am judged by that bag, I'm lost
man."
"And this | took for a clean shirt"
and Dick held up frilled and futed
sack, such as do duty for more extern
sive night dresses with ladies when
travelling. "Td like to see Angelica
when she opens my satchel."
And Dick fell to musing, with the
slipper perched on two fingers, and
the friiled white laces pread out tender
ly on his knees.
x 4 x =
In the upper apartment of a hand
some mansion in St. Louis, on the
evening of the day our heroine first
made the readers acquaintance. beau
tiful Belle Alden, the petted and only
daughter Of the house, sat contemplate
ing the various articles her confiden-
tial maid was disposing upon the ta-
ble-articles taken from no less a re-
ceptacle than Dick Marcy's travelling
bag.
The cards and cigar case lay side
by side, and highly scented party
they were.
"What's in the little silver flask
Rosa" said the the fair mistress.
Brandy, ma'am," replied the maid.
"He cant be very dissipated to trav-
ell with such a little bottle. That's 10
case Of sickness, ! suppose" returned
Belle.
"It's my belief" said Rosa, who was
shrewd girl, "that the gentleman was
mighty nlce one. else you'd not so
readily excuse the cards and the bot
tle."
"For shame, Rosa. All gentlemen
play euchre, travelling, and even cler-
gymen take little brandy in case OF
Sickness" answered Belle. "And this
man is a gentleman, and liberal one,
too, for he gave tn poor emigrant wo-
man ten dollars. What's that, Rosa ?"
For at that moment Rosa held be-
tween her fingers letter.
Whether it was wrong to read Il
strangers letter vexed Belle for mo-
ment, as her eye glanced at the super
scription and handwriting.
"Why, of all things!' exclaimed
the delighted girl, seizing the letter.
"Why, Rosa, this is Jenny Marcy
writing, and addressed to Richard
Marcy-her only darling brother
who was in Europe when we two grad
uated at Madam Ritter's, in Brook.
lyn,"
Belle rad rapidly till she reached
the middle of the letter, when she
burst into merry laugh.
"Hear this, Rosa" she said, and she
read from the letter:
"Above all things, Dick, dear, don't
fail while in St. Louis to see my best
fIiend and schoolmate, Belle Alden
! know YOU will fall in love with her
for, besides being the best girl in the
world, she's beauty and an heircss
and fathers choice above all others
for his sons wife. He used to talk il
overat home, and hoped Belle would
not marry before you came home trsm
Europe. She is full as anxious to
know you, and wears your hair and
mine in locket father gave her last
year. Give her lots OF love, and beg
her to overlook your many imperfec'
tions for the sake Of her old schooliel'
low, Jenny"
"Then this gentleman is, of course
Miss Jennv's brother, said Rosa, "and
what will she say when she hears OI
your having met in a romantic wayY
81 don't intend to tell her of it till
| go to New York this Fall" said
Belle. Perhaps her brother viii
call"
But in this supposition Belle wa;
wrong. The month passed, and she
sa no more of the golden haded Rich
ard.
She carefully separated the yellow
lock in the little Keepsake from the
dark tress of Jennys, aud put it back
into it's place alone, while another
locket held piece of Jenny's. And
somehow, Belle looked very,very offer
at the wee, golden curl, and she never