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

lHOTuluES tlo bISCS WSIc JuSb III bicit
early green, the meadows were yellow
with buttercups, the bitches hidden by
the moisture GLOWING 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 fOet-path, to
where / had been told it turned into
the copse, on passing through which |
should find myself opposite the recto-
ry garden, ! stopped short, for / 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 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
elasped her hands together, a joyous
smile overspread her face, and she
bounded towards me.
AT last at last + she cried wildly ;
and then, when within few yards OF
me, she stopped suddenly, the bright
look of animation faded away, as il
the sunshine had passed from her
young life, and crossing her hands
wearily upon her breast, she stood for
a few moments gazing at me, as / in
voluntarily raised my soft tweed hat
NO, no, no! 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 girll l said; there's a sad
story attached to her, I 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
ell old gentleman in black, with vel
vet cap on his head, was busy, trowe
in hand, planting scarlet gersniums il
one in of the beds that dotted the vel
vet lawn.
He looked up aDd started slightly
as be saw me, then, bowing, he cam,
down to the rough trellis fence thar
divided the garden from the lane.
"A nice morning he said, pleasant
ly, as raised my hat. Fishing,
presumeI'
Yes | said. 1 was going to try
| And you were going to ask my
leave, he said, smiling.
i intended to call after l had beer
into the village said, taken goot
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 10
breakfast, he said, referring to hi
watch; 1T will be ready now
oh, thank you, no, / stammered
for this offer of hospitality to a perfec
stranger was staggering. L am goinl
down to the inn, aud 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 well on, and you will have goo,
sport towards evening-not before
He moved toward the rustic gate q
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
NE by coming in and partaking of u
humble fare, and besides, you will g
scarcely anything at the public hOus
. below
Q This seemed to me quite idyllic, bu
! l felt bound to refuse, till glance &
r my host decided me, and almost befnl
l had recovered from my astODishmer
was in a cozy little room, lookin
out upon a rustic verandah, clustede
], with roses just budding, and being il
d tloduced to my wife, a pleasan
comely old lady, with hair like fosteI
!, ed silver.
5 The break kiast.table was spread
- the snowy cloth, aud the glisteniu
}. coffse-pot; at the other end a brigl
;, cover that l Was sure would revei