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

pinneu siip OF paper on tue toilet
table.
Gertrude's eyes quickly saw the
words, "TO Miss Ponsonby-from l..
ST. A.
"There, Queen Gertrude, 1 hope you
are happy now" said Winifred, gaiIy.
"But make haste down stairs only
hope the mistletoe will not spoil ALP
she added, demurely, as she danced
ont of the room.
Gertrude soon followed. The slip
of paper had disappeared when the
maid entered to clean the rooms inn
mediately afterwards.
Perhaps it was thrown away?
= Z Il
Louis st. Aubyn did not appear till
an unusually late hour, and Gertrude's
card was filed up far more closely
than she wished in his absence and
it was while she was waltzing with one
gentleman, and just before a rapidly
succeeding qnadrille, for which she was
claimed by another, that he came into
the ball room and requested her first
disengaged dance.
Poor Gertrude fancied that he look
cd cold and formal; perhaps her own
manner was somewhat piqued and an
noyed; for he went of, and at the end
Of the quadrilie he was not visible, till
she caught sight of him at the side of
a delicate, lovely looking girl, to
whom he was talking with great inter.
est.
She did not even know her, and
could only suppose some of their
guests had brought an unexpected Wis
itor in their party.
But n strange gloom came over her,
and she stole away as the guests were
resting and taking some refreshment,
and hid herself in a small back apart.
ment, which opened into the dining
room, where the celebrated mistletoe
bough was hanging from the centre
chandelier, between the rows Of tables
now waiting for their guests.
She heard voices approaching and
as che drew back to listen, she could
just perceive the figures of Louis St.
Aubyn and the beautiful girl in whom
he had before seemed so much interest
ed. r.r,..
at is the dining-rocm surely we
must not come here, said remarka-
bly, weak voice.
.'Oh, yes; Imay take such a liber-
ty here. l am privileged, l believe,
and it is so long since l have seen you
and we have such heart touching mat
ters to discuss-have we not, Ada, ma
belle.
And Louis gave an arch smile, and
bending down, whispered something
that brought the color to the girls fair
cheeks.
Gertrude dared scarcely breathe f;
her very heart was choked and swell :
i& with grief, and shame, aud indig-
hant pride. W
Louis spoke once more, and her ears
were strained to listenn to the words.
Eyes, Ada, we can, l trust. both be
happy now; but this is scarcely the
time to enter on all that / have to say.
We must return; and | want to find
Gertrude for the next dance. Hist
by Jove-!-what sprig of mistle-
.oei just the very thing for the oc-
Asion !" And drawing the fair Ada
under the branch, he pressed kiss on
her lips.
She laughed-blushed and with a
half arch, half reproving tap on his
arm with her fan, they went off to-
gether in the DIRECTION Of the ball
room.
Poor Gertrudel She sat cold and
sick, as if stricken by sudden illness.
She never had guessed, never con-
fessed the extent of Der love for Louis
St. Aubyn till now.
And to hear such words, when actu-
ally wearing on her brow his volun-
teered gift, when she could recall such
numberless looks and words, and even
gestures, that could scarcely be inter
preted as aught but the indication of
honorable love.
1t was terrible blow, and one that
fell most hardly on a singularly proud
and deep nature.
She had committed herself She
had given even Winifred the insight
into her mind. What could she do :?
Where couid she hide herself till she
had crushed down the agony. and
taught herself to wear mask that
could not but deceive her nearest and
dearest?
She felt that her very face must be
wan and haggard, her voice eonstrain-
ed. She must wait till the first shock
was over, and then, brave all, and
suffer torture like q Spartan or a Sage