The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1877-07-25

"Why doesn't he ask me once
again p she queried, mentally; 81 am
sure he loves me, and one might see
that love him, but l can't tell him
so. I suppose shall be an old maid"
But the doctor was not to blame. A
man of the world would have seen
through Matty's stratagem, but he did
not he imagined that she was either
trying to drown her disappointment at
losing Tom, or had really decided to
marry the enamored Will.
Truth occurred to Matty at last.
She could hardly believe such stupidi-
ty existed in the mind of man but
she determined to try what her mod
est and retiring nature could effect.
So she dismissed Will, and became to
all outward resemblance, little nun.
Still no advance on the doctors part.
lie came and went constantly to the
house, however. Matty gave up all
hopes, finally, Of ever coming to bet
ter understanding with him, when
something happened.
DIR. Gibson dropped in" one morn
ing when Mrs. Kellicott sat sewing on.
the pleasant yeranda. in the cool, re-
freshing breeze.
"You musu't come here" she call
ed, as he tied his horse to the hitch
ing post. "My work requires my un.
divided attention besides, you'll step
on the ruihes. You may 60 and help
Matty, if you like"
The young woman was making pies
in the kitchen, She saw The doctor
coming around the corner of the house,
gave hurried glance at the bright
bottom Of a tin pan she was holding,
found herself presentable, and greeted
him composedly. She was very glad
to see him, she said, wouldn't he come
in?
No, he wouldn't come in, the day
was SO beautiful. He would just stand
on the pavement under the window,
and lean over the sill.
So there he stood under the grape
vine trellis, with little of the golden
sunshine falling over his hair and
shoulders. Matty observed that he
looked thoroughly unlover-like, and
concluded that he didn't intend to
propose. She also noticed rip in his
coat. and wondered who would mend
it for him.
Someway, the talk veered round
from the weather to woman's rights.
Matty, on this, spoke up.
She didn't at all believe in the Sec
ond hand influence which reached the
ballot box through the agency of hus-
band and brothers. "When I vote"
she said, 81 want to march to the polls
aud put in my own vote my own self"
"What a pretty spectacle you'd
make, Matty, with that rolling pin in
your hand, and"
81 am not at all sure that I want to
vote" she interrupted, "but 1 would
like to make some laws, that's ALL"
"Well, you might petition the Leg
stature suggested the doctor, grave.
ly.
ooh, they're not legal laws; only
social customs and usages. I'll tell
you just what l mean" She laid the
rolling pin aside, with an emphatic
bang, placed her foury arms akimbo,
looking very earnest and determined,
aud quite regardless of the fact that
she and DIR. Gibson were in love with
each other. "Now, at a party, when
a lady sits alone in a stuffed chair all
the evening, not dancing, simply be-
cause she hasn't any partuer, and can't
ask any one. oh, you know, DR.. Glib
son, you know"
GLOW it is myself" iuterpolated
the doctor.
"HOw it was at Mrs. Campbell's the
other night. If 1 had been Anna Rad
clille, or Dora Collard, I'd have ask
ed some Of you men to dance with
me-
"Then you think women should have
the privilege of asking Cor whatever
they wish ?" he retorted with a hall
smile.
She answered that she thought just
that.
"Well, Matty, l quite agree with
you. l not only think they should
have this right in such a case as you
have mentioned but also in more SER
ious affairs. For instance, women
might with perfect propriety make
proposals for marriage"
Now such an idea had never enter
cd Matty's foolish little head, and she
seized the sugar box with great en-
barrassment. The doctor went on
with much gravity;
81 am aware that it would be very
unconventional proceedings, and | am
sure no woman will ever be wise
enough to take the initiative; and yet
| am persuaded that in many instances