The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1879-07-02

untimely end of his brightest hopes; but
he was determined that Gertrude should
never know how dear she had been to
him. Fearing that she might detect a
trace of the feelings that agitated his
breast, he had refrained from visiting
her since he had heard of her engage
ment; but the incidents of the previous
night had induced him to seek her pres
ence to convey to her the intelligence
| that might save her from becoming the
wife of a man whom he now knew to be
| unworthy of her.
Gertrude watched him as he proceeded
to the store, bitterly regretting her un-
kind words; for she had observed the
expression of sorrow on his face and
knew he felt hurt. So much had her
feeling toward him changed that a tear
| trickled down her face as she thought
how much happier she would be were
she engaged to him, whose love she had
never doubted, than to Harold, whom
she now believed to be a drunkard and
probably only courted her for her
money. Had she known that weeks
must intervene ere she should behold
Edwards face again she would doubt
less have wept bitterly; but she did not
understand his last remark to her, and
when, an hour afterward, he was on
the train miles away from her, she sup
posed him to be in the store attending to
his duties.
After a vain attempt to console her
mind by reading, she went into the
library and wrote Edward a letter, beg
ging pardon for what she had said.
| When her father arose to return to the
store, after supper that evening, she gave
him the letter. He read the address and
returned it to her, saying, He is not
there"
"Where is hep" asked Gertrude, in
surprise, dreading to hear the answer.
"He has gone to Philadelphia on
business for the firm, and, as he passes
near his fathers, he intends to stop on
his return and spend two or three weeks
with his relatives. 1t is a busy time to
let him go, but he has not been at home
for nearly a year and l could not well
deny his request. l am sorry you did
not use more courtesy toward the noble
fellow when he came to bid you good
bye. 1t would"
"When he came to bid me good-byeP"
interrupted astonished Gertrude.
Yes, and you treated him so indiffer-
emily that he returned to the store very
much grieved."
but, father, he never bid me good
byem
:" / only know that he said he would
run up and see you before leaving, and
that when he came back he was very
much agitated." And Mr.. Moor has
tened away, leaving Gertrude to her own
reflections.
Before closing her eyes in sleep that
night she resolved to tree herself from
her engagement to Harold Mt their next
meeting, for she was sure that what Ed
| L. i l, IL
could never become the wife of mar
who was guilty of such conduct. ShC
arose very early on the following morn
ing and wrote Edward letter, telling
him how bitterly she regretted her crue
words and asking his pardon. She alsC
told him of her intention to free hersel
from her engagement to Harold. Hav
ing sealed the letter in neat white en-
! velupe on which she had previously
written his address, she took it to The
postoffice. Dead stiffness reigned owe
the town, and she had thought tC
get back to her room without being OBJ
served; but as she was returning sh'
met Harold Fulton, his haggard coun
tenance and unsteady gait betraying tin
effects of debauchery. She passed b.
him without seeming to know him ant
hurried home. She did not relate he
|
when at breakfast her father spoke o
engaging him as n clerk until Edward
return, she protested against it. III
was, however, that day employed. HI
called on Gertrude in the evening an,
requested her not to tell her father o
their meeting that morning. She toll
him that she would comply with his re
quest, and also that he must conside
their engage mcnt as ended, as she coul
never marry him.
This did not please him, and he wen
away very angry.
, The Methodist church stood in
beautiful grove on small eminenc
overlooking the town. Thither on tn
following day, which was Sunda", Ger
; trude, accompanied by her parents, wen
, to hear the Rev. Reuben Homes delive
his sermon on intemperance. He illus
trated the folly of intemperance, Shove
= how strongly its guilt is denounced
: traced its effects on its victims, an
wound up by showing the drunkard
l doom. In tracing its effects on its vic
e tins. he gave an account of his visit
. the saloons, describing vividly what b
!, saw there. Gertrude was inspired wit
!, new courage in her resolution never [
4 marry a drunkard. At the close {
a meeting Harold asked permission to az
e company her home, which she politel
n refused. She observed his sullen bro,
e and reVengeful look. but needed thel
: not.
!, A week passed away and then thel
came letter from Edward, a letter
?. passionate love and devotion, windin
up with a proposal of marriage. Ge
d trude, exultant in her new love, immed
d ately answered, accepting his propose
/ and begging him to hasten to her.
it Harold soon heard of her engagemel
and forthwith left town. On the df
j after his departure Gertrude received
it letter from him, in which he told h
= that as she had refused to be his wife, |
W had sworn that she should never
re Edwards. He warned her at the pei
ID of Edwards life to tell no one the co
4 tents of his letter. After considerable
o. she datnrminad To snnd n To Edmar