The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1871-10-31

afraid that the young man did but lit
tie good in filing the basket, for he
kept up sucl continued conversation
that they gave but little attention to
the business on hand. And l think
that little Ida almost lost her tender
heart as she watched his handsome
face, and listened to his pleasant, mu-
sical voice. The baskets we're filled at
last, however, AMI the young ladies
were ready to go home.
"Can you tell me where DR.. Miller
lives p asked the young man, throwing
his rifle on his shoulder, and taking a
good long look at pretty Ida.
81 ought TO be able to do SO, as he is
my father" laughed Lou.
Your father? Then you are my
cousin, Louisa" said the stranger, in
pleased tone.
"My name is Louisa but / don't
think you can he my cousin, as new
er saw you befoie."
"Yes you have, but you have for
gotten me. l am Rafe Darrel-cous-
in Rafe, whom you used to play with
when you were very young lady, in
short dresses. Ihave been in foreign
countries for ten years, SO of course
you don't recognize me-"
"But / do nw. Your eyes and
smile are just he same. Oh, cousin
Rafe, am so very glad to see you af
ter all these yesrs," and they shook
hands heartily.
"Is this your sister?" asked Rafe
looking at Ida, and holding out his
hand.
"My cousin, la Miller, my fathers
niece, and therefore no relation to you.
| have no sister.
81 hope we shall be friends, Miss
Ida, if we axe not cousins" said Rafe,
pressing her little hand, and smiling
down on her bNshing face.
"Of course ySu will go home with
US, Rafef" asker Lou, with cousinly
familiarity.
"Yes, / ran down here from the city
for weeks shooting, this beautiful
weather, and intend staying at your
fathers If you viii tolerate me.
eve will be glad enough to have you
there. And we must be going, for it
is nearly dinner time, and this bracing
air gives one an appetite"
at does indeed. /, at least feel a
strong desire to taste some of my aunt's
excellent dishes"
DR.. Miller and his wife were greatly
delighted to see their favorite but long
absent nephew, and gave him q bois-
ferrous welcome. The doctor was re-
tired physician, living on an elegant
farm not far from large city. He was
a jovial old man, disposed to take lie
easy. His daughter Louisa was his
only child, but he loved his brother.
orphan, little Ida, as much as he die
his own child and treated her the same
in every respect.
The weather continuing clear, cool
and delicious, Rafe Darrell enjoyed
some fine sport among squirrel anC
quail, which were exceedingly plenti
ful in wood and field; but in spite O.
these attractions, he spent large por
tion of his time in the house, or il
walking with the young ladies. sus
pect that ida's brown eyes and cherry
checks influenced the handsome young
man good deal.
But the course of true love neve
does run smooth; and ere long he dis
covered that he had rival in the per
son Of stalwart young farmer nameC
John Gordon, who walked in the par
lor one evening, dressed in his best
Darrell saw at once by his manner, tha
he was little Ida's "beau." The knowl
edge did not please him aud he retired
to his room in fit of the sulks.
"What the mischief can she sea il
that BOBBY to like ?" he said confden
TALLY to his pillow. "But what differ
ence does it make to me? Am | il
love with this little country maiden
Yes ] am; and would marry her to
morrow, if she would have me? Ay'
there's the rub-will she have me2
believe she would learn to love me, i
that confounded fellow would keep on
, of the way. Certainly she doesn'
love him, for he's ugly as sin. Igues
, | had better wait while, and see hoy
, matters 90 on; and if she isn't actual
t ly engaged to that fellow, I'll cut hin
|, out, by Jove, if | can"
With which consoling reflection h
: went to sleep.
Another week passed without Dal
rel having decided whether or not h
could "cut OUT the young farmel
Sometimes he teased Ida about hin
but she speedily got into a bad humo
and vowed that she caied nothing q
: all for him-which Darrel, with h
! knowledge of woman, could not b.
lieve.
t One morning, being in a partieula
: dOwn-hearted mood, he took his riff
and started for the woods TO renew h
5 acquaintance with the squirrels. II
had not gone far ere vocies were hear
e which he recognized as belong to Id
i and her lover.
1 "Al!s fair in love and war" he sal
to himself, and approached as near
) he dared he crCuched behind 10
and peered through the foliage at Il
C lovers-if such they were. They we