The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1879-07-16


could understand her real nature"
He was more polite and friendly toward
her after that, and began to hope for an
established basis of good feeling between
them, when an unlucky accident set them
on the old path.
| was tying up a rosebush one morning,
and had nearly finished when my supply
of string gave out. Mr.. Skidmore put his
hand in his pocket and drew out handful
of different sizes of cord, when little rib
bon huttered to the ground.
ooh, that's Miss Carew's bow" cried
May. Miss Carew, he has had it all the
time"
A flush rose to his face, as he said, in an
annoyed tone; "The very fact of its be-
ing in my possession shows that / had no
idea what it was"
ooh, but you did know, Mr.. Skidmore,
for l told you about it the day she made
the sketch. Don't you remember the bird
took it in his bill from the umbrella?
Where did you find it?"
Miss Derry, / really have no idea how
] the thing came in my pocket. l assure you
l should not Lave cherished it, had l known
it was-a lady's property"
"Why, it is no great harm, anyway. Ii
you like Miss Carew-"
But don't like Miss Carew. That is,
Miss Derry, l don't like to be teased."
His face was flushed with annoyance,
and l sighed as 1 thought Of the mischief l
had done. They were really getting to see
each other in quite fair light, until now
all his old dislike was revived. And An
ME, too, seemed to think him more disagree
able than ever, for at dinner she scarcely
noticed him. In the afternoon she came to
my room for book, saying she was going
to the cave on the east shore for a while.
"I'm 80 sorry about that ribbon" said
" 1t shows him him his true light, Miss
Arden. l am glad of it, for was just get
ting foolish enough to think had been
mistaken in him.
1t was a sultry, oppressive air, and | was
too indolent to go out, so took Bad
deck and a sofa for the afternoon. | read
until nearly four o'clock, and then fell
asleep. When l awoke it was raining furi-
ously and was quite dark. Then as a
heavy peal of thunder startled me l remem-
bered.Miss Carew. / went across the pas
sage and tapped, and looked in. The room
was empty. | went hurriedly down the
stairs, and into the sitting-room.
Here comes Miss Arden, looking as
she had seen a ghost said Mrs Der if
smiling.
"Miss Carew is out in this Storm" l
said, feeling as if should faint; " and some
one must-go for her.
"My God Miss Arden, what do you
mean" asked Mr. Skidmore, turning white
to the lips.
Miss Carew went to the cave this after
noon and has not returned, and fear she
has lost her way"
at is sure DEATH" began May, when
there was trampling OF heavy feet on the
piazza, and in a moment two men were in
The room, and had put poor Annie Carew
on the sofa. Her long hair hung wet and
tangled to the floor, and the white face was
death like in its dreadful calm. In mo-
ment knew what it was.
"She is dead !" said some one, in a con-
strained, harsh voice, "and never knew
ing, my love-" And Mr.. Skidmore fell on
his knees beside her and kissed the sweet
lips
One by one we stole out of the room and
left him kneeling there. The men had
found her on the shore, and thought she
must have tainted from fright, and had
brought her home.
Likely the lightnin' killed her." said
one. "Pve known such thingsW
| went to my room and wept bitterly.
"Poor Annie Carew r. was all | could say.
Poor, unhappy girl. At the thought of Mr..
Skidmore my tears flowed afresh. / was
scarcely surprised that he loved her. But
his pride had buried his happiness.
Later in the evening May tapped at my
door. She was crying softly. "Oh, Miss
Arden" she said, q she wasn't dead after all
1t was only a fainting fit, and she can speak
, now.
And Mr. Skidmore ?"
Is in there with her, and he has beer
crying guess it's all right between them
because l saw him kissing hei Just now"
And all the time he had been in love
with plain Miss Carew.