The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1879-08-13


" am going home to Administer" she
evaded.
"Then shall certainly happen to go
there"
The Elphinstones went to some fashion
able springs directly, and Nora lost sight of
them for the once. She had dreaded lest
Lucius should inquire her residence, and in
calling establish her identity with Xantippe,
and she was greatly relieved when Mr.. and
Mrs. Warner returned from Europe, and she
could pack up and start off for Administer
But fate had not designed that the affair
should end here. The Administer train was
thrown from the track, and when Nora
came to her senses, she was lying in cool
room, with Nell Elphinstone bathing her
brow, and a racking pain in her head.
"What is it? Where am II Where
how did you come here, Nell2" she cried.
"Husb dear 1t was so lucky that the
train came to grief just in the midst of your
friends, so to speak. Now go to Sleep that's
a dear. The doctor says that you are in no
danger, but you'll have to stay here long
time; and nothing could be nicer than to
have you here. And your sister has sent
up nurse, as she's not we'll herself; SO don't
get excited"
Nora had, indeed, fractured an arm, and
sustained bruises that would detain her at
the Bitter Springs for some weeks but as
she began to mend she found that her lines
had fallen in pleasant places, after all.
Lucius Elphinstone made it his business to
entertain and beguile her invalid hours I;
brought in the latest books, the choicest
flowers, amused her with descriptions of the
fashionable follies at the springs, with
scraps from the operas and tidbits from the
burlesques of the day.
You see, we had picnic in the neigh
borhood at the time of the accident" Nell
confded to Nora one day, and insisted
upon going with Lucius to view the wreck,
and do what 1 could for the injured, and
you were the first victim we stumbled upon.
wish you could have seen Lucius' face, it
looked so white and strange, as if the iron
had entered his SOUL"
"He is very good to care" said Nora.
"Dear me, how coolly you take itp
az am very grateful" Had Lucius
really cared for her, or was he only shocked
al am almost sorry that you mend so
rapidly" Lucius said to her on the follow
ing day. "I hear that you will take wing
tomorrow, and shall have no one to listen
to my nonsense
"There are plenty of listeners, Mr.. EIphin-
stone::"
"But none exactly like yourself"
"Thanks. Who is that. coming up the
lawn? 1t looks like-why, it is Oliverw
"OliverW repeated Lucius, aghast, Sec
ing the color that trembled on her cheek
the light shining in her eyes, But before
she could reply, the door opened, and Oil
yer was in her arms.
"Why, Oliver, did you rain down?'
=" l amt a pollywog, aunty. No, played
hockey just to come down and see you.
Mother don't know-and Jack Thurston he
lent me the money"
"Jack Thurston !"
"Oh, yes Jack and mes all made up ;
we amt going to whip each other no
more. Oh, say" turning to Mr. ElplIin-
stone, "you're Jacks cousin, amt you ?"
"Did you ever see Mr.. Elphinstone be-
fore, Oliver ?"
" Lots of times, over to Jack Thurston'a
Jack thinks there's nobody like him, you
see. Jack and me got mad the first thing
about you and him. Jack said he was the
best fellow in the world, and l said you
was, and made his nose bleed, and he gave
me a black eye, don't you remember, and
then you wrote to his grandpa?'
Nora caught Lucius' eye.
$50 you are the author of those billets-
douXY" he said, laughing.
Yes, am the Xantippe," humbly.
But are you not II. Browne?'
My name is Honora Browne"
"Well, Miss Browne, since you leave to-
morrow. shall we continue our correspon-
dence ?" he asked. "Tell me, Nora, could
you love me little Will you write and
tell me if may love you for ever and aye?'
he whispered, Oliver having gone down TO
look on at the game oflawn tennis.
Love me, Xantippe, a woman of that
kind Mr.. ElphinstOne, you are laughing
at me-"
Come, Nora mavourneen, that's unfair.
How could l guess that you were III.
Browne, whom | mistool1 for divers
mother? Come, dearest, forgive me. Our
acquaintance began with a blow; let us
perpetuate it with kiss"
And she obeyed.-Harper's Baaar.