The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1877-07-18
LILACS.

one scented bunch Of bloom bit aside,
lust out Of the reach Of little brown
hand that had a moment ago ruthless
ly stripped off half its blossoms.
But the owner of the hand bad al
ready turned about, with a loss Of her
black curls and firt Of her pink cal.
leo dress. that scared the butterflies,
aud before the branch swung back she
was Fastening up the trim garden path,
and finging back a sharp speech over
her shoulder,at a tall, sunburned tel- !
low who, with vexed light in his
eyes, stood in the gateway watching
her.
"Oh, it don't matter what think
Indeed, don't think at all. Yon may
take whom you like to the next May
day dance; you won't take me y
1t was such a pretty shoulder over
which these words were cast, and there
was such rosy flush Of anger on the
round check half veiled in curls, that
it was no wonder that John Armitage
took two or three steps in pursuit Of
the speaker; but he stopped, drew
himself up with sudden pride, and said
one reproachful word
"Nancy !"
The one addressed wavered little
in her retreat, then resumed 1t with
increased celerity.
will yon stop and listen to me 2
the young man queried, his rising in
dignation somewhat modifying his tone
Of appeal.
"No p and the pink calico swept
the myrtles on either side OF the walk
faster yet.
"Very well, was the angry response,
as he who pleaded turned toward the
gate. "But mark my words: you'll be
sorry for this before these bushes here"
brushing the low sprays sharply
aside-"ure cut Of bloom Now, good
bye"
Nancy, poeping from behind a cur
tain after his retreating figure, ciied.
Perhaps the soliloquy will tell why.
"Well, it's all over between us now,
any way. It's his fault, too. He'd no
business to take any one else to the
May dance when | couldn't go. l
shouldn't wonder if he's gone down TO
Sarah Anderson's now. They'll be Ell
gagged next thing, and she'll crow over
me finely. He'll try to make me jeal
ous"-here Nancy had spasm Of cry
ing.
'"Sce il l don't make him jealou;
first !"
r The way she would do it became ap
parent the next afternoon, when, dress
ed in a jaunty blue suit that set oil
well her creamy complexion, daik
curls, and tinted cheeks, she started
for the village. The dainty blue par
;.sul was lowered little Us she came
to The protentious block Of buildings
opposite the hotel, upon one of which
hung the sign, "Dr. Miles Gray. OF
fee hours from to 10 a. m, from
to 5 p. M" But the face Of the bnil
, ding was blank, and the office curtain!
J lowered so with an impatient eXcka
nation under her breath, Nancy wen
/. on to the post office, where, getting az
letter, she turned discorteAtedly TO
, ward home.
The Fates forbade her. She haC
not accomplished a quarter of the dis
G tanue before the light roll Of wheel
d made her turn her head and start per
! ceptibly. Iu a moment more youni
G DR.. Gray, whose natty top buggy wa
the envy Of all men, and whose taseln
ating smiles had won the hearts Of al
the women, had drawn up his horse a
her side. had leaped to the ground an
had asked, eagerly:
"Miss Evans, may have the pleas
ure Of driving you home p
The color frightened in Nancy
: cheeks, the light in her eyes, as sh
: assented with charming smile an
in moment they were slowly ly bowlin
along the road, and the blue ribbon
IS were blown against the doctors broa'
+ cloth.
G. DR.. Gray was young, handsome, Nc
deficient in brains, with pocket none
a enough to prevent him from beln
tragioally earnest in his profession
-. and very much in love with the CT
re ouettish bit Of womanhood by his sid
III As for Nancy, she was a little atral
ar Of the gray eyes that could be qulzzlci
90 as we'll as admiring, and Of the smi
that sometimes curled the corners
.- the black moustache. But Nancy WI
Is. minus IA lover just then, the doctor WI
ad a "catch," and 50 she laughed and cha
od ted as the bay horse trotted along
k, The farm house came in sight tC
MS soon, and the doctor stopped midwa
- in a speech to inquire,
90. "Won't you take longer ride ? II
such beautiful afternoon y