The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1878-09-11

eyes to rest on. She had done her best |
TO brighten it: two or three pictures che |
had brought with her hung on the walls,
the little table table by the window was
covered with books, and a delicate glass
vase she was too poor to fill with the
flowers she loved stood on the bureau.
There were couple of hanging shelves
on the wall, of which only the upper
one with her work-basket on it, was Wis
ible; q green and white calico curtain hid
the rest. This was her cupboard.
But we return to Miss Mint herself,
who is down stairs and out of the door
by this time. She is q quick walker,
and in q few moments finds herself at
the entrance to the church, already be-
sieged by an anxious crowd, who are
kept in check by the ushers and couple
Of policemen. Miss Mint does not at
tempt to press in here; she slips round
by a side door, and an usher, who knows
her by this time, plants chair for her
at no great distance from the pulpit.
She sinks mechanically into it, and sits
in q sort of stupor for a while-the
change from her dark, chilly room to
this warmth and dazzle of light makes her
head swim and her heart tremble. But
her nerves are naturally strong and
steady, and she soon rouses herself, de-
termined not to give way to weakness
she has never felt before, and which for
moment filed her with dismay.
The grand voice of the organ echoes
through the church, and Ellen, who
loves music, is socn absorbed in listen
ing, and feels for time uplifted above
the cares and sorrows of this world.
The music and the prayers are the rich
est part of the service to her: in report
ing the sermon she has to follow every
word 30 closely that it takes away from
the enjoyment of listening.
Caleb barley, seated among the other
reporters, catches glimpse of her, and
after that his keen gray eyes wanSer in
that direction pretty often. There is
mingling of pity and interest in his
glance-he is hard hearted, chivalrous
sort of fellow, all the more ready to
befriend woman because she is lonely
and unprotected.
The services were over, and little Miss
Mint, slipping her notebook and pencil
into her pocket. threaded her way
through the crowd TO the side door.
"Good-evening, Miss Mint" said
voice at her elbow as she stepped out
into the fresh air.
Ellen started and looked up. "Oh,
yood- evening, Mr.. Darley," she said, a
title confusedly, as she recognized him.
"Will you take my arm? p said Caleb,
,ffering it in such a matter of-fact way
hat Ellen complied at once, though
feeling more embarrassed than pleased
by the attention.
"I see you are in my line of business,
Miss Mint" said Caleb, pleasantly, ss
they left the crowded street for one that
led to their boarding house. Ellen
laughed little; and he went on, with q
kindness of manner that made you
pardon it's bluntness; "And how do you
like the life9 Excuse me if I'm rude,
but can't help taking an interest in a
fellow-laborer, you know"
"You are very kind" said Ellen.
simply. GAS for the life, try to like
it, because there's nothing else can do.
I've tried to find teachers place; I've
tried to find sewing to do; but it was no
use. I'm sure I'm thankful there is a
way can earn my bread. Wasn't the
music beautiful tonight, Mr.. Darleyf
anxious to change the subject
eyes" said Caleb, rather absently,
for his heart was full of pity for the
little creature beside him, and he was
already debating in his mind various
plans for her relief.
"What a chill there is in the air to-
night" he said, rousing himself. His
overcoat was hardly protection, and he
thought with dismay how his companion
must be shiverlng under her thin shawl
"Wen, here we are, Miss Mint.
must be off to the Office. Sit by the fire
till you are thoroughly warm, and tel
our landlady to make you something
/ hot and comforting; l see you have
/ cold coming on"
"Thank you, Mr.. barley; you are
4 quite a DOCTOR" laughed Ellen. g
hope it hasn't taken you ont of you
9 way coming home with me?"
! ooh, it won't take me ten minutes t.
, walk to the office" said Caleb
' Goodnight, Miss Mint;" and h,
walked briskly away.
q Caleb barley was between thirty-sevel
. and thirty -eight-a big broad-shoulder
. giant of a man, with strongly marke'
= features, profusion of sandy hair, an(
an expression of mingled good-natur
4 and determination. He has had to figh
his own way in life since he was twelv
- wears old, but the battle, though
!. tough one, has never made him forget
q full of the sufferings of others.
ct wonder, Norah, how long Mis-
"a Mint means to keep this up?"
"a "Kape what up, ma'am p
i "Why, lying in bed this way, and I
a be waited on like lady. / don't dout
N but she's as we'll as am.
ar "Well, I guess you wouldn't say 81
" ma'am, if you was to see her. She can
n speak above a whisper, and is as whit
10 as the wall. AS for waiting on, it's NJ
1e much she gets of it, poor thing, Il
~ Bridget and / has our hands full q
70 ready"
"What's the matter with her?" spoil