The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1878-02-06

the stile, and hastened down the path,
turning often to look back at the pretty
picture she made, listlessly leaning on
the stile, with tinge of re gret in her
face. At turn where she would soon
be hid from sight he had dared to wave
her q kiss.
Madge was now waiting according to
appointment, and she had taken care to
concoct most ravishing toilet
But all her little preparations were
wasted. Lyndhurst Darlington did not
come, Still she waited. 1t seemed SO
unreasonable, so cruel, to disappoint
her. Perhaps he was only trying to
tease her, had got out unseen. and
would surprise her directly by his ap-
pearance.
A doleful sough of wind, coming from
the dark recesses of the wood, sudden
shutting-down of night, made Miss Bar
ron feel something like fear; and she
started nervously to return. As it grew
darker her dread became terror; she
fancied strange noises were about; her
feet scarcely touched the ground; she
skinned on, huttering at heart like
some low-fying bird belated from its
nest.
What wonder that she vowed that
night, as she brushed out her hair, never
to forgive Mr.. Barrington2 What won
der that harmless little bunch of violets
which he had gathered for her the day
previous and which she had treasured in
vase on her dressing-case, she now
found faded, disagreeable and odorless,
and that she tossed them pettishly out
into the darkness from her window?
81 detest him and his violets," she
cried. "He may stop in town till dooms-
day, for aught care"
Miss Barron did not sleep well and
rose in the morning with q little dull
weight on her feelings. Perhaps" she
thought, she will not come even to
day."
As she dressed for breakfast he WAS
constantly in her mind.
Perhaps he did it on purpose" she
said. Perhaps he didn't, but lost tho
traih. But he had no business to lose
the train," she added Grossly. "Per-
haps he was i'll perhaps some women
had asked him to remain. Well, If SO,
don't care" she said 90 He shall see |
am happy enough, and not even piqued,
when he comes"
Still, as the day wore on, Madge found
the ladies of the company provoking aud
the gentlemen more uninteresting than
ever. Mechanically, towards evening,
she donned the same toilet as ON the
night previous, and took circuitous
route Through the garden, that none
might be cognizant of her movements.
Emerging out of sight. she struck straight
for the wood-path and here we'find her
again listening for the roar of the train,
notwithstanding all her angry VOWS Of the
night before.
Beautiful, cross, unreasonable girl
{" will not go to the stile,,' she was
saying to herself, "and that will be
disappointment to him.
She was somewhat unsettled, however,
for fear she might be in just the same
predicament as on the previous evening,
and have to return through the gloomy
wood alone. She had seven -eighthsof
mind to go straight back, even yet. But
she remainded after all. so perverse is ]
woman.
At last, with sudden screech, the
engine came steaming along Miss
Barron began to trace figures on the
ground with her parasol, and put ON
most unexpectant air, her features sink
ing into repose and unconcern benign
enough to befit saint,
She saw Lyndhurst Darlington de-
scend from the train and come striding
on joyously till he came in sight of the
stile; for, though hidden herself, she
could observe all his movements.
He came on eagerly, looking to the
right and left for her, and almost stun:
bled over Miss Barron.
"Oh, Madge p he cried, as he threw
himself at her feet, ''you did forgive me,
and have come to meet me -
Forgive you, Mr.. harrington p
could be more icy cold. E'Pray,
what has been your fault2" She looked, |
as she spoke, straight before her, but
with an air of surprise which was ex-
ceedingly well counterfeited.
He looked up eagerly into her face as
he answered, Why, was buttonholed |
to death in town yesterday. 1t seemed |
as if o conspiracy had been entered into, I
and that every fellow I knew had left |
his summer haunt to go up to town TO |
detain me. transacted but half of my |
business, and put off ok Longley with |
only nod on my wa! 10 the station. 1 |
suppose he'll never speak to me again. /
After all, was one minute too late. / |
saw the train sweeping out of the sta /
lion just as reached it. I was in dis /
pair, thinking you would come to meet /
me-"
CT did walk down last evening. but / |
can hardly say, sir, that came to meet |
you. / did not expect you. thought,
if business or illness kept you, you |
might be gone week. never thought |
Of you as hobnobbing with your male |
friends and sauntering to the station"
Madge I" and serious look came
into his face. "Let us drop pickering, |
and begin where we left off yesterday"
Very well," she replied. 81 be- |
lieve the point at which you left off was
and I was doing nothing in |