The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1875-12-01

to the Falls and sup, and I'm going to
take lady. Have you any little
light wagon, and horse, of course,
that you could hire me for the eve
ning2 I'd rather go alone with her
than in the big wagon. You know,
I'm sure, how it is-that fellow had
rather ride alone with pretty girl,
and if you'll help me out I'll be ever
so much obliged to YOU"
So he had come to ask me to help
him to have a nice time with my girl
he who had cut me out. l looked
at him, just holding my hands still by
main force, and thought of him rid
ing along the moonlight road, with
Fanny close beside him. / asked
myself whether his arm would not be
around her waist, and whether in the
shadows, as they fell little behind
the others, he would not kiss her.
"And you want me to help your
sad aloud. "MeF"
"Yes," he said, "pleaee."
"Come along" l said; "I'll show
you what I've goS."
On the farm that was mine there
was one building, a little COW shed.
We put the tools in there sometimes,
and l had paddock for the door, and
the key was in my pocket. 1t came
into my head that l could spoil his
evening for him, and spite Fanny, too,
by locking him in the shed. And if
he had spirit to fight me for it after
wards, so much the better. And led
the way down into the meadow where
it stood. and unlocked the door.
"Just look in" said /, "and see if
that will suit you"
Cant see anything" said he. "It's
pitch dark. Wait, l have a match"
He took one from his vest pocket
and stopped to strike it on the sole of
his boot, and then l gave him a push
and over he went, and l had the key
in my pocket
you'll not make any one hear very
soon, lad" said /, grinning to myself,
"and you'll not kiss Fanny Martin 60
ing over the bridge this evening"
Then went away and laid myself
fat upon the porch in front of the
house, and felt happier than l had be-
fore for long time. Revenge is sweet
now and then. I don't pretend 10 have
none of the old Adam in. me. I'D
been there about half an hour, and
the chirp, chirp, chirp, chirp of the
crickets was lulling me off to sleep,
when suddenly l heard a little light
step close beside me, and saw a wo.
mans white dress huttering, and jump.
ing up, stood before Fanny Martin.
The first thought that came into my
mind was that she was looking for her
beau, and it made me fiendish.
"That you, Miss Martin ?" said I.
eyes, Mr.. Burling," said she; and
though I'd said Miss Martin how il
hurt me not to be called Ben. 81
came over to see your mother. Is she
inT
"No," said I /; "gone to prayer. meet.
ing at Deacon Dull's."
"Then I'd better go home," said she
but she fingered.
"Not looking for any one else," said
"No." she said, very sadly. "Good
night"
But 1 could not let her go without Q
cut.
II thought you'd he on this wonder
full moonlight drive" said I.
"There you were mistaken" said
she.
"Did he forget to come for you p
said l-"Mr. Williams, you know"
81 haven't been asked to the drive,
said she. "I don't know why yov
speak so. The city folks are all by
themselves, said Mr.. Williams, 1 sup
pose, is with the lady he's engaged to
She came down last week with hel
mother"
"Oh," said I, and I began to wish
had asked few more questions before
I locked young Williams up in the
eow-house.
We stood still apart from each other
I saw her lip CULVER Was it for him
Had he Tilted herr That was tit fo
tat. anyhow. But she was so pretty
and so sad, and so winning, 1 felt ny
heart give throb. 1 took a step near
er-she took another.
"Oh, Ben," cried she, II can't stant
it if you stay angry with me. / al
ways have liked you the best, bu
you've been so awfully cross" and sh
was crying on my shoulder.
Did you ever make up with som
f. one you'd quarreled with, loving he
all the time? Did you ever feel, hold
ing the deer face between your tw
palms, pressing sweet kisses on th
) dear, soft mouth, that it had all com
back, all the old love and trust an
. sweetness and hope that you though
E deadY If you have, you know wha