The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1877-10-03
LAURA'S DOCTOR.

early green, the meadows were yellow
with buttercups, the bitches hidden by
the moisture.loving wild flowers.
An old friend bad told me Of this
place, with its pretty village, its rustic
rectory, and glorious trout stream
saying, too, how the gentle, kind old rec
tor would, if asked, give me leave to
make casts from his meadows across
to thehigh bank under which the fat,
speckled trout lay.
Continuing along the fOOt-path, to
where l had been told it turned into
the copse, on passing through which |
should find myself opposite the recto-
ry garden, stopped short, for l had
suddenly come in view of stile, by
which stood sweet.looking English
maiden, simply dressed in holland col
ored grass cloth, with a plain straw
hat covering the dark hair gathered
in a cluster behind. She was very
pale-a pallor increased by the black
velvet tie fastened beneath the little
plain collar round her neck, and as !
first saw her she stood with the fingers
of her right hand lightly resting on
the stile, while her lett was held up as
if to command silence.
1t was evident that she had heard
my approaching footsteps, for sudden
ly her face became animated, she
clasped her hands together, a joyous
smile overspread her face, and she
bounded towards me.
AT last at lastP she cried wildly
and then, when within few yards of
me, she stopped suddenly, the bright
look of animation faded away, as if
the sunshine had passed from her
young life, and crossing her hands
YEARLY upon her breast, she stood for
few moments gazing at me, as l in.
voluntarily raised my soft tweed hat.
No, no, nor she said slowly, with q
sigh land looking at me again wistful
ly, she turned away, through an open
ing beside the stile, and was gone.
Poor girl!' l said there's sad
story attached to her, am sure
| walked on to the stile, crossed the
weod, leaped another stile; and stood
in pretty lane, close to charmingly-
kept garden, running down to the road
from beautiful, rustic-looking house;
not many yards from me a gray head
ed old gentleman in black, with vel
vet cap on his head, was busy, trowel
in hand, planting scarlet geraniums in
one in of the beds that dotted the vel
vet lawn.
He looked up aDd started slightly
as he saw me, then, bowing, he came
down to the rough trellis fence that
divided the garden from the lane.
"A nice morning he said, pleasant
ly, as raised my hat. Fishing,
presumeF
Yes, I said. I was going to try
And you were going to ask my
leave he said, smiling.
i intended to call after / had been
into the village l said, taken good
deal aback.
Did you leaye town this morning !?
asked the old gentleman.
YES l replied, by the first train
and walked across from Hauntly.'
Then you must be quite ready fol
breakfast he said, referring to hi;
watch; it will be ready now.'
oh, thank you, no., l stammered
for this offer of hospitality to perfect
stranger was staggering. Il am goinf
down to the inn, and then, if you vii
kindly permit me to whip the stream
shall be very glad
'Oh, certainly, certainly he said
am an old fisherman myself, and be
lieve we Of the craft are sOmewha
Free Masons in our way. The May
| fly are we'll on, and you will have goOC
sport towards evening-nOt before
He moved toward the rustic gate a
he spoke, and held it open.
But really stammered.
My dear sir, said the old gentle
man, Il lead such a quiet life her
that visitor from the great city
most welcome. You will be faVorin
me by coming in and partaking of N
humble fare, and besides, you will &c
scarcely anything at the public hous
below
> This seemed to me quite idyllic, bu
! l felt bound to refuse, till glance 9
: : my host decided me, aud almost befnr
/ had recovered from my astonishmer
l was in a cozy little room, lookin
out upon a rustic verandah, clustede
!, with roses just budding, and being il
4 loduced to my wife, pleasan
! comely old lady, with hair like fosteI
!, ed silver.
5 The break kfast-table was spread
- the snowy cloth, aud the glistenin
}. cofee-pot; at the other end a brigl
;, cover that / VAS sure would revei