The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1875-03-31

more, even if this deep pain was con-
quered ?
The music and the tread Of feet
sounded as if the crowd had actually
gone frantic. How could any one be
50 happy, so gay, and she so misera-
ble2
Gertrude never knew how the min
utes passed by till they certainly
heightened into an hour.
A kind of dull apathy stole over
her, a consciousness of pain that yet
she scarcely realized.
And when at last gentle hand
touched her, and voice said softly
and doubtingiy, "Gertrude-dear Cert
rude, what is this?" she started as If
from deep slumber.
"Mr. St. Aubynl This is extraordf.
naryP' she said, gaspingly. "What
could bring you here--in my private
retreat ?"
81 came to fnd you, Gertrude your
mother is anxious about you. She
fears you are i'll, to have left the dan
GERS 50 long"
Il am quite WE'LL / will 90 to-to
mamma" sho murmured. II am not
wanted. Please to leave me, Mr.. St.
Aubyn."
Not wanted Not by ME land
you have not danced with me yet,
Gertrudel" he said, responsibility.
"You must excuse me. No doubt
you would only be missed else
where-where you ought to be-" she
said, irritated at his seeming treach-
cry.
He stood for moment in wonder
ing silence Then, to her excessive
annoyance he gave slight but ire
sistible laugh.
"Can it be?-s1 am so happy?-are
you, indeed, resenting a, perhaps, ma
tnral mistaken he said, a bright flash
of triumph illuminating his features.
Gertrude's eyes were downcast, and
dawn of suspicion that she might
have been too hasty came on her
mind
Perhaps you may have been here
when brought my cousin here for
air, and for a few moments talk after
her Absence" he said with an arch
smile, "and to exchange mutual con.
fidences, dear Gertrude 2"
I'll really do not know-it is no
affair Of mine," she said, reddening
and trying to rise and pass him; but
lie stood right before her.
"No Gertrude, not till you have
heard the explanation which is due to
you, after all have said in manner, if
not in words" he said, firmly. "The
simple truth is, that my cousin, Ade-
laide Fance, who has been as sister
to me since boyhood, has Just unex-
pectedly returned with her mother to
our house, and / knew that / might
venture to bring them to your party,
even at the last moment. She has
been 5etrothed most happily in her
absence, and i was exchanging con-
gratulations with her on her real and
my wished.tor happiness, when we
strolled in here, and, L believe, enact
ed foolish piece of sentiment into
the bargain" he added, with glance
at the mistletce.
Gertrude WAS now coloring to the
very tips of her fair fingers and roots
of her hair. What a terrible goose
she had been, and what confession
she had tacitly madel
"Gertmde," he resumed, drawing
her more daringly towards him, "can
you not guess what was the happiness
| hope for, that / wished Adelaide to
eympathize in? VIII you not tell me
whether it is to be mine-whethe you
can love me, ahd whether this dear
hand is to be given for life, as well for
the dance, to Louis st. Aubyn, your
true lover? ?"
She certainly did not speak but
then the said hand told great deal
instead Of the lips.
And when they went in to supper,
Adelaide Fance's dark gray eye look
ed significantly at her cousin and his
companion when they passed near the
mistletoe bough.
But Louis did not take advantage Of
It's privilege. Perhaps he scarcely ac-
kuoWledged its necessity in his present
happy case.
Three months after, Gertrude and
Adelaide were married on the same
day to the lovers of their choice and
some twelve months after, when Win.
fired followed their example, Mrs.
Fance aud Mrs. Ponsonby agreed to
share the home Of the latter, now left
desolRte. But, so long as she lived,
Gertrude preserved the memorable
branch of mistletoe.- Household Nag.
asiRss