The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1879-11-05


joe ] mentally cried, better, tar
better for me If had declined your in
vitation."
Presently we had a most refreshing
supper, after which Joe and / strolled
out for walk and a smoke.
"Joe," exclaimed, enthusiastically,
"your encomiums OF your wife were
merited. She is indeed a treasure. BY
Jove If could find such a jewel would
never rest till won and married her."
Joe was on the point of lighting a ci-
gar when l begun, but paused with up
raised match till / had finished-and
the match burned his fingers. Thought
for time he was angry at my impetu-
osity, but his face cleared away, and the
old wicked twinkle that Ifeared so much
came to his eyes. He grasped my hand,
saying:
YOU'RE right, my boy; she's the
dearest little wife in the universe. I'm
glad you like her."
After we had finished our cigars and
talked for some time of our old college
days, we re-entered the house.
Nellie" cried Joe, opening the
piano, favor Tom and me with tune.
He has passion for music"
Perhaps, Mr.. Thurston-" began
she, but was interrupted by Joe.
"No, Nellie, / protest. No mistering
around here! It's plain Tom. Do you
hear, Tomp She's to call you Tom and
you're to call .her Nellie. Violation of
this rule will incur my internal dis
pleasure. Govern yourselves accord
ingly."
Perhaps he will object" pleaded
Nellie. +
"No, nc" l exclaimed, cit will please
me very much-and-I will feel highly
honored to be allowed TO address you by
your Christian name."
Pshaw, Toni It'll please her.
Won't it, NellP" ih' on
She laughed. and gave me bewitch-
ing look accompanied by a nod. --.
g was going to say said Nellie,
:" that perhaps you could sing with
me-" @ TEfIvsE e t-.IFa sF
No; no excuse me, ! can't sing
Nellie" '.r-
The word was uttered with gasp
and certainly turned violently red in
the face. Joe was looking mt me, and
saw he had a desperate struggle to
control the muscles of his mouth.
was indeed fond of music, but / was
entranced with her magnificent voice.
The evening passed on golden wings
Zoe ran on in his wild old ways; told
his jokes and laug he'd just as bolster
ously as he did when we roomed to-
gether at college. He did not give us
much chance to join in the conversation !;
for one comic anecdote reminded him
of another which lie must tell We both
| laughed heartily Mt his stories, and
talked volumes to each other with our
eyes.
That night dreamed l loved Nellie.
(Oh, truthful DREAMY l dreamed she
reciprocated that love. Ooh, vain
dreamD Then l dreamed intrigue be-
gan. We determined to elope, My
heart bled for poor Joe, but / felt it was
death to live without her. Now she
has met me under the old elm south of
| Joe's house. see her pale. excited face |!
! feel her nervous hand clasping mine I!
Now we are fleeing! On, on, and now
we are pursued! Joe is ON our track !!
The scene changes, and we are on the
river. We glide along smoothly in a
| light boat. Now we are safe, and she
is mine-mine forever! But no, Joe still
pulsues us. Now he is close to us. Why
cannot we glide fasterp Joe approaches
swiftly. Now he closes in on us! He
has caught her in his cruel grasp! Her
beautiful pleading eyes are raised to
mine He raises knife aloft TheR /
catch his arm, we struggle silently to-
| gether. l wrest the knife from his
grasp and plunge it into his breast, and
he drops from the misty boat and sinks
beneath the dark waves How dark the
river has grown by the'pale light of the
moon! The gaunt and CHASTITY figure of
Mr.. Long suddenly emerges from the
waves! saw him catch my darling in
his long arms. and, before / could inter-
fere, they had both. disappeared beneath
the turbid waves of the river! This
awoke me! / arose and resumed my
wearing apparel, bathed my feverish face
and went forth into the air to try and
exercise the evil spirits with cigar.
BY the ensuing morning my dream
/ had ceased to trouble me, but the real
! ity of things did not cease. There, was
Nellie before me in all her beauty, all
her sweetness, to tempt me ON to love
her. There was Joe, with all his exu-
beranee of spirit, and as unsuspicious as
/ child. He seemed to do all in his
! power to bring us together. He often
/ lured us into interesting conversation
or managed to get us engaged in singing
and playing, and then leave us alone for
hours. Days passed away and lapsed
! into weeks; in these weeks was almost
the constant companion of Nellie Hall.
We were'out riding, boating. and to in
Vulnerable concerts and entertainments,
all through the suggestion and planning
of Joe. i felt and knew well the dan
ger; was fascinated at first-now was
irretrievably in love. The thought OIL
breaking away from this charming crea-
ture caused me pain like unto death.
resolved to leave. No matter what it cost
me, the only honorable course for me tc
pursue was to return to the city and for
get-no, not forget, for never could ]
forget the only woman lever loved ol
could love.
Joe was absent on the day / arrived
at this determination. All the better
thought it; it would be easier to gel
away. proceeded to pack up and ge
ready to go on the evening train. no
ticed during the progress of packing
that the long body of Long was over
/ 81, a. Il u -