The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1877-06-27

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and trouble ought never to have come;
and the sight Of both of which uncan-
ny visitants made Cleve Symington
pause a second on the threshold, as he
caught a glimpse ola golden head bur
led in two tiny fair hands, and heard |
the unmistakable sobs that shocks the |
little white-robed figure coughing in a
heap beside low hassock. He only |
hesitated second then, with look
of tenderest love, pity and sympathy,
crossed the room to her side.
'"Birdie, not crying SO piteously.
Can l sympathize, or do l intrude ?"
She sprang up in sweet, shy sur.
prise, her face all tear-hushed, her
eyes as bright as dewdrops. She was
one Of those Heaven favored mortals
that weeping beauties. She only
looked fresher, aud fairer, and so pitt
ful and Cloves arms fairly ached to
take her to his heart and kiss her tears
away. And he would, he vowed, rap
turously in another five minutes. She
took her handkerchief from her pocket
"a little lace affair, white and fra
grant, and essayed to smile as she wip-
ed the tears from her lashes. 81 am
afraid / appear very childish, Mr..
Symington- but when I think-when
it is all gone
Her exquisite lips quivered again,
but she checked the rebellious tears
bravely.
81 am as poor as q church h-mouse-
that is all. A letter from my guar
dian says everything was invested in
mining company, and the shares are
not worth the paper they are printed
on"
Cleve fairly worshipped her then, as
she honestly explained her position,
with the quiet, ladylike way so natur-
al to her.
! at is misfortune admit land yet,
Birdie, there will inevitably come one
good of it-you will learn who are
your real friends.
Somehow he said it so very earnest
ly that Birdie glanced curiously at
him, then dropped her eyes under the
blne.veined, long lashed lids. Cleve
was close by her side the next instant,
with her hands imprisoned in his, and
his impassioned eyes fairly scorching
her face.
"You surely. understand me, dar.
ling? You will let me prove my
friendship, my love, my alteration
Little girl, say you will be my own.
Tell me you love me. and promise me
the great privilege Of caring for you
forever, my little wife,
1t was so sweet, this manly, honest,
eager avowal, and coming, as it did.
on the very heels of her misfortune,
and from the lips of the only lover
she had ever prayed to hear the words
from.
: And veto, woman's foolish pride
, all her perverse little heart rose in
j rebellion at accepting anything and
giving nothing. 1t never should be
said Of Birdie Lorne that she took the
!, first offer she received after her mis-
! fortune simply because there was mon
! ey in it. So-while Cleve waited
: smiling patiently at her bowed head
never doubling that his whole earthly
happiness was Just at hand, dreaming
such rapid .blissful dreams of the flu
J, ture, Birdie deliberately made up he
y stubborn will, through horrid pang
: of pain then she lifted her head in ,
= quick, naughty way that it had Otter
I delighted in before.
= "You are SO kind, Mr.. Symington
and appreciate every word you say
and will remember you gratefully t.
: my dying day. But l will marry NJ
man to whom would have to feel un
der such obligations as l would feel t
It yOu:"
4 ring in her voice. Cleve reeled unde
the sharp, sudden blow. He clenche
!. her hands so tightly that her ring Gu
- . in the tender flesh, but she only com
y pressed her lips and made no sign G
how he hurt her.
e. "But Birdie" and there was sue
r. agony in his voice that her own hear
a. ouailed second, "don't speak of ct
legations to the man who loves you 8
to | do speak as if you knew you woul
o. grace queens throne, as you woul'
re Birdie, Birdie, don't be SO cruel
* me-"
:" Her lips quivered, and her ey'
ds overhowed suddenly.
h. "You mean what you say, my frien'
I know or, rather, you think yo
n, mean it, which is the same to me, sint
ty | can not accept it. But you are on
to pitiful, kind and sympathetic, and Il
A sight of my tears and grief has toucl
in ed your great heart. That is all"
rs. She drew her hands away from hi