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

and that one happened TO be a girl of
twenty with an untenanted heart. The
party was quite family affair, Mr.. and
Mrs Elphinstone, their sons and daughters,
with one or two friends, making up the list.
"This is regular snare, Nora" said
Ellen Elphinstone, when they were drop
ping down the harpor. "I don't know how
you'll feel about it, my dear girl but, you
see, we are not going to sail for the day
merely, but out into the broad Atlantic,
and along the coast, and heaven knows
where, just as Cousin Lucius pleases. We
may be shipwrecked, or cast on desert
shore. But we shall be away week, at
the very least"
"Oh, how superbr cried Nora; and then
her face heightened. But, Nell, what
ever shall 1 do? l have no things"
Providence will provide. You see,
had no time to notify you after our change
Of plan; but / packed up a double supply
of things; so don't worry"
But there's the housekeeping, and the
servants, and burglars"
But you've housekeeper p
"And there's Oliver, and Oh dear
it's delightful, but 1 ought to be at home"
But your nephew has a nurse?"
"Why, he's eight years old, Nell. To be
sure, his nurse lives with us still, and re-
CARDS him as the apple of her eye, and
Thomas looks after him like detective;
still"
ooh, come throw your conscience over
board" begged Lucius, coming up to close
the argument.
"Im afraid it's so light it will hoat,"
laughed Nora. But l may as we'll enjoy
myself !" which she straightway proceeded
to do, after the most approved method of
Irritation, as Nell called it, Lucius got
out his chess-board, and they played for
hours together.
What ever can you see in that game ?"
Nell would harangue. g Life isn't long
enough to learn it,"
L is linked sweetness, long drawn out"
Lucius returned.
On wet days they read Browning below,
or repeated in turn all the old ballads they
could recall, or danced to Nell's violin. So
hey drifted along the coast, touching here
md there at some port, or going ashore in
merry groups for books, or mail or garden
party. Nora acknowledged she had never
mad such gay time in her life.
Oh, if could live on yacht foreverw
.he said, one star-lit night, when she and
Lucius were sitting apart, as they had con-
tracted habit OF doing.
So you like a sea-faring life?"
Yes; how dull it will be to return tc
commonplace! Just think, Mr.. EIphin-
stone, fortnight ago had never heard OF
you; aren't you mortifedY'
"Such is famel And now ?'
"Why, now feel as if | had known you
hundred years or more;" and then Nora
hung her head at her own rash words.
al regret that the time has seemed so
oag," laughed Lucius. To me this fort
light has seemed Ike dream Tell M
about yourself, Miss Nora" he said, after Il
pause. GLOW little | know of you, in spite
ol our long intimacy I've taken you en-
Iircly on trust, haven't 1? Continual
comfort in a facs-the lineaments of gospel
looks, he quoted.
Fattery, thy name is man. What can
| tell you about myself that you don't know
already? You know my favorite poets
and novels, my religious views, my slender
accomplishments; you know / live in the
country, and am just now keeping house in
the city for my brother and sister, who are
abroad. Do you like boys, Mr.. Etphin-
stone ?"
'"What digression I can tolerate
them. By-the-way, speaking of boys re.
minds me of a correspondence I've had will
an anxious mother on the subject. l rather
think l have one OF the precious epistles
about me they're such sweet-tempered
specimens, you ought to see them. Listen,
here's one Of them, as he struck match
and read
=" Mr.. ThurSton:
90 SRI can rely implicitly upon our
divers word. And if fail to reorganize
the manners OF our boy, it must be because
your own furnishes him such evil examples
II. BROWNE
"There! Don't 1 pity Mr.. Browne.
Isn't she a Xantippe? Think of marrying
woman of that kind Ye godsp
But-but you are not Mr.. Thurston p
gasped Nora.
"Not exactly. was his amanuensis on
this interesting occasion. Grandpa Thurs
ton has a mischievous grandson, besides
myself, who had come to tisticuffs with said
Master Browne. Grandpa Thurston is
paralyzed, and can neither walk nor write,
therefore the burden fell upon your humble
servant"
Elphinstone," said Nora, after pause. 81
must 60 below"
"Let me bring you wrap instead, Miss
Nora"
"Thanks; but it is growing late. The
Others have already gone l really must
follow. We get in tomorrow"
eyes. Remember this is our last night
at sea. Let us make the most of it,"
al have enjoyed the voyage. 1t is only
the end that is unpleasant Goodnight"
"Oh, what a foolp thought Nora, as she
lay upon her pillow, "ever to have written
that silly, bad-tempered note to Mr.. Thurs
ton! 1t did sound spiteful, confess.
Perhaps l ought TO have told him l was
the author; perhaps he already suspects it.
Isn't she a Xantippe? Think of marry
ing a woman Of that kind +" she quoted
Who wants him to? He needn't have
taken pains to assure me of his Indifference, y
she groaned, inconsequently, "as if didn't
know the difference between Irritation and
love-making. Well, we get home to-mor-
row, thank goodness! But, oh, dear! il
might have been all so nice p
When they parted next day Miss Nora