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

Mrs. Symes Symington was engag-
cd in smoothing down the nap of her
lefty velvet polonaise with her pretty, !
whito plump hand, on the foIefDger of
which sparkled cluster diamond ring,
on the third finger of which clung a
plain heavy weddingring. She was a
plump, rosy little lady, not as tall by
head as the handsome young fellow
who callel her "mother," aud in whom
her whole hearts affections were cen
tered, aud to whom she was at this
present moment administering as Sc
we're reproof as she ever had found
occasion to do.
Naughty, headstrong Cleve listened
very respectfully, as he leaned his
head on his haud and his elbow on the
mantlepiece listened with an air that
demonstrated the perfect uselessness
of the arguments his lady.mother adj
vanced. Then, when she paused in tri
umphant breathlessness-breathles be-
cause of her long sentences, and tri-
umphant because she certainly accept
ed Cleve's silence as the consent she
aspired to securing after all this, Cleve
smiled--so sweetly, SO coolly, right in
her face.
"But l shall marry little Birdie
LOrne, mamma, that is, if she will have
me. Now don't frown so, you lock so
much prettier when you smile and
blush, little mother. Tell me to pro.
pose to my little sunny haired girl and
bring her here for the maternal bless
ing"
He leaned his handsome head to.
ward Mrs. Symington, aud looked at
her in such proudly coaxing way
that in her fond heart she wondered
how any woman could resist him.
Then shook hear head urtil the dia.
monds in hear ears sent their brilliant
corrhscations both far and near.
"How can |, Cleve, when l am NOR.
4 tally sure Miss Lorne wants your mon
ey? A hundred thousand isn't to be
secured every day and to marry for
money is to be perfectly miserable. /
married for money, Cleve, and you
know the life ] led until your father
died. You are my only comfort
don't pain me by bringing home wife
who will only endure us for the sake
, of what we can give her."
Evidently she had forgotten her
mental decision that no girl with hu
man heart could resist her boys hand
some face. Certainly it was unlike
the proud, selfassuring Mrs. Symes
Symington to underrate her own i'm
portance so tremendously, as she had
Just done. But then even the richest
r proudest and haughtiest people have
their "other side" that only a few
friends know and this was Mrs. Sym
ington's "Othcr side."
She watched Cleve's face anxiously
= but there was no sign of change O.
views in the gay, debonair face, will
tho contradicting eyes so gravely anc
sternly decided.
"Yon mistake Birdie altogether
mother dear. How can it be possible
! she wants me for my money when lot
of other fellows are after hers? ? She il
] an heiress in her own right-forty o.
City thousand"
!. Mrs. Symington opened her bright
black eyes.
,, ooh is that the case? Well
Her altered tone, her hesitatinI
words, so delightfully."- emphasized, wer
.e enough for Cleve. He caught her u
d in his arms, regardless of her elegan
a toilet, and kissed her until her fac
% was as scarlet as girls.
Cleve are you no: ashamed of your
= self? Put me down this minute, or
or you shan't marry Bird"
He dropped her instantly.
you're down, mother and in jus
one hour prepare to see my little dal
ling-all blushes, dimples, smiles an
=. sweetness."
, He went out rather lrurriedly, caugt
y his hat from the rack and hailed
passing cab that would speed him o
his mission.
rs Mrs. Symington watched him b.
IS tween the plum-colored damask GU
vs. e. tains, her eyes kindling with pleasure
BILE, pardonable pride.
a "The dear boy he wants me
think it settled the matter he arran
q. ed long ago. OF course he would ha'
ge married her, any way, but just to thin
all how splendidly he has behaved to me
na And something very like the diamOnl
in her ears glittered in her fond mot
or eyes as she turned away.
;. A delightful little octagonal roof
rs. hung with the extra shade of dain
nd pink silk that was most becoming
.od Birdie Lorne's fair complexion.
TX pink carpet that covered the floor
ms an unbroken expanse of velvet. Chai