The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1873-07-23


ed to feel sorry and ashamed over it
then, with an appeal to the principal
heather deity in his vocabulary,
Jack expressed himselfas "duced glad"
it happened. So he went on in spirit,
alternating up and down, like a boy
on see-saw, provided the boy could
ride both ends at once, which, l sup
pose, is an impossibility; but when
evening came he went and called on
the young lady. She invited him to
call again. Jack did 50. In fact, he
went several consecutive times.
Three years passed away. Jack
had studied diligently, and now for
six months had been a practicing law
yer with every prospect of success.
All this time his devoted attentions
had been paid to Clio; yet all that
time not word of love had passed
between them. Jack could not and
would not ask her to love him until
he could efer her something more
tangible than possibilities. But now
that he had won his first case, and
had attained a settled business, he
felt the time to determine his fate had
come; yet how could it be done The
very thought distressed him. Could
he-dare he ask her? Could she know
how much her answer would mean to
him II she said Eyes," what happi-
ness, success how much to live for !!
If she said "no"-he didn't care to
think.
The more he thought over it, the
more he hesitated and the more he
delayed, the harder it became. AT
last he determined it should be done.
Clio met him as usual with a pleas
ant smile. Jack tried to smile, but it
ebbed off over his countenance, and
was lost in his "solemn expression"
Just as little wave is often lost in a
larger. Clio saw something was 60
ing to happen, and, woman like, di-
vined intuitively what it was. But
| he had kept her waiting in suspense
and uncertainty so long, that now,
when it was about to come, she de-
termined she would rot help him in
the least. At length Jack began: 4
cello, am having considerable
business now"
"Yes," said she, very demurely
with quiet little nod then relapsed
into silence without another word
Jack fdgeted and thought, "Why
don't she say something and keep a
fellow on ?"
aI've got SO now can support my.
sells, and"
"Im right glad to hear it," said
Clio.
Jack felt that somehow she was
sporting with'him, and flashed up.
"You never heard that l didn't sup
port myself, did your"
"I-no! But then"
"But then? You know, Clio, tina
ever since l was fifteen"
"Never mind" said Clio, "for i
seems as though l heard story com
mencing like that before, Jack"
With that Clio smiled, and Jack
mcmentary displeasure vanished
yet there was left on his mind the un
defined impression that, after all, IN
, had been sold. But the ice of reserv
was broken.
"To be plain, Clio, 1 came dow
, to tell you that ] love you"
Here :came long pause. Jacl
/ looked at everything in the room ex
cept Clio. 1t was getting exceedingl.
embarrassing to Jack, when ther
/ came quiet "Well?" from Clio.
t "And to say" went on jack, a
$ though no interruption had occurred
D "that l am in a condition to get mar
! ried."
"That's very desirable situation
/, for any young man | am sure" sal
t Clio ; and then she laughed that sam
low, ripping laugh he loved sc
i Poor fellow! why couldn't he hav
interpreted the love for him whic
rounded and mellowed that laugh
? But no he grew desperate, and, wit
/, the thought that she was sportin
. with him, just little angry.
81 might have known how it woul
end. Any fellow is fool to dangl
o around any girl for three years.
, And he strobe towards the door. Ill
4 hand was upon 1t. 81 might hay
t known you wouldn't have Marie
me-"
d "But, Jack"-he turned-"you hay
r MT asked me to-"
/. "Haven't asked. ysu toS" JAG
caught the look in her eyes. I'll
It next moment she was in his arm
and her arms were round his necl
is and-well, the fact is Jack never di
ask the question.
After the first happy moments ha
e passed aud the ecstacies of the a.
knowledgsd mutual love had eferve
le ced-thaI word seems to express Il
D. idea about as we'll as any-Jack b