The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1874-12-09
LAURAS FACE.

Hilton Salu suclly, Nneu Her CuusiH
Laura's engagement to Max Creighton
was announced.
Lucky for her that she is pretty"
said Mrs. Hilton, fretfully, for that
lady had hoped the visits Of the young
millionaire were intended for her
daugifter, not her niece.
"Yes," said third voice-that of
Arthur-Hilton, "it is hard lines for a
girl without n penny to be ugly too.
But, after all, Laura bas brains as well
as good looks, and sings like seraph
After which period to my speech, l
will depart. Da- -da, Rosa; present my
congratulations to the bride elect"
And Arthur departed to the Office
where he waited patiently for his first
client, being man needing patience,
namely, a new.hedged lawyer. AS
soon as he left, Mrs Hilton broke into
string of fretful complaints.
"If Laura was going to marry Will
Fielding, now, or any other Of Arthur's
cronies, it would not be so bad" she
said, "because, as poor mans bride,
she could not expect an expensive
trousseau. But for our own credit we
must give her handsome outfit; aud,
between Arthur's expenses and yours,
l am sure l don't see how it is to be
DONE"
81 thought-we were awfully rich, "
Rosa said, opening her eyes wide in
amazement, for Mrs. Hilton was rather
inclined TO brag of the wealth left by
her late husband.
"Pshaw! You don't understand !"
said her mother. 81 don't say that VIC
are poor; but poor relations are al
ways nuisance J"
And then her heart smote her, for
Laura came in dressed for Walking,
and must have heard her last words.
She had not half meant them, for,
after her weak, selfish fashion, she was
fond of her dead sisters child, and
would not willingly have wounded
her. But Laura, a trifle paler than
usual, only said:
81 promised to call upon Mrs.
Creighton this morning, Aunt Carrie,
as she is not will, and requested that
| would waive ceremony, and not wait
for her."
"Are you warmly wrapped? 1t is
very cold," her aunt said, with an ex.
ira touch of affection in her tone, to
make amends for her unlucky speech
ayes, thank you. l will get the rib
bon for your sash, if you wish, Rosa
/ have piece of your dress in my
purse" faL
So she left them, with a PLEASANT
smile, trying to think she had misun.
derstood her aunt's words. For Lau.
ra Marston was of a sunny tempera
ment, one who found silver Innings tc
all the clouds, and they had been nu
merous, that had darkened her young
life.
She had been tried by poverty, had
nursed her father through consump.
ton, teaching music in large ssmina
ry at the same time, to earn bread fol
both. When she accepted her aunt;
invitation to visit her, after her father,
death, she had intended only to remain
a few weeks, and return to the semina
ry where position as resident teacher
had been offered to her. But Mrs
Hilton had urged her to stay, anG
Rosa gave her warmest love and wei
come.
! So two years Of rest and content
passed quickly in the luxurious home
and now she was to go to new home
of her own, Max Creighton's wife.
1t was good match, in a worldly
point of view-a great catch for a
! penniless girl; but Laura never
thought of wealth or position wher
she promised to be Max Creighton'i
wife.
He was noble man, one of the ex
ceptional few who use great wealth as
stewardship entrusted to their care
man with high standard 'of right
to which he strove to carry all the ac
tions Of his life. Yet, something Of
al artist, too, in amateur fashion, who
worshiped beauty, and who had beer
won undeniably by the wonderful
beauty of Laura's face.
For the orphan girl was not merely
pretty, not of the fading order of girl,
ish faces, depending entirely upon
round, rosy cheeks or golden curls
Her face was perfect oval, with fea,
lures of exquisite delicacy and regu,
larity, and her eyes were large and
dark-full of expression.
Without one shade of color, heI
pure complexion had none of the pal.
lor of ill health, being softly fair, and
her hair, of nut brown, was glossy and
abundant. Tall and slender, she wa:
graceful in every movement, and in
Max Creighton's eyes, she possessed
every attribute Of perfect beauty.
1t panied her little that he laid SC