The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1879-12-24

!
shine the perfect loveliness of quiet,
gentle Margaret, who daily clothed her
self in black, and wore no Jewels save
the pearl pin which inclosed her fathers
hair.
If it had not been for fear of annoy
ance from the children, Isabel would
! gladly have sent Margaret home at the
time when she expected so much COM
| paRy, lest by chance some admiring eye
! should discover her.
Miss Arnold, can you put the chill
dren to bed to-right? l have sent nurse
OH an errand, and she is detained; and
thought you wouldn't mind taking
charge of them tonight, you know,
! And afterward, would you mind com.
ing down to help Isabel and her
! friend dress for the party at Miss
! Howe'sP Your taste is so good, you
! see, and really I'll be very much Obliged.
1t isn't in the line of your duties here,
l know, but maybe"
"rll oblige you, certainly, madam, if
| you think me competent to suggest in
the matter of dress, " replied Margaret.
And she put the little ones to bed, re-
warded for her care by hearing Harry's
loud whisper to Elsie, that "he thought
| Miss Arnold the prettiest lady in the
world, and he wished she was his own
to the dressing-rooms to help Isabel and
her friend.
There she learned more of their pri-
vate affairs than interested her; but they
talked to each other of this and that,
quite ignoring Margaret's presence, and
she knew ere long that "Mr. Harold
Weston was dead in love with Miss
Berkly "-Isabel's friend and guest
"and would no doubt propose soon"
Also, that she was to call for them
that evening to attend the party; that
he was handsome and rich and splen,
did," etc.
when we're married, / mean to
travel all over Europe" said Miss
Berkly, while Margaret knelt beside her
and looped her rich overskirt of lace a
trifle higher.
But" interrupted Isabel" you aren't
engaged yet, and | may win him away
from you know"
There, Miss Arnold, you may 90
now. Thank you. You have very good
taste"
And Margaret gladly returned to her
schoolroom and books.
Well, Isabel Grangerr' exclaimed
her guest, jestingly, "you may just
thank your stars that your governess
will not be on exhibition tomorrow
when Harold Weston comes to dine. I
tell you, neither you nor | would con-
trast favorably with her. 1 never saw
such perfect face; and those eyesm
That girl puts on airs enough to
make one sick of her." was Isabel's ami
able reply. Zone would think her a
born duct ess, to see her manners at
times! do wish that mamma would
seud her away"
The door-bell put a stop to further
discussion of poor Margar ct, and Mr..
Weston was presently announced.
1t was late that night ere the party
goers returned, and Margaret was
dreaming of her mother, and the old
days of happiness before she learned
that man may seem to be all that is
noble, and yet be villain.
| She was dreaming about Howard
Winthrop, and that. his arms were
about her, when the sound of voices in
the lower hall aroused her. She heard
Mr.. Westons Goodnight" as Isabel
and her friend parted from him at the
door; and something in his voice min
| gled with the dream she had awakened
from, and thrilled her long after the
| wheels of the carriage had died away.
Il hope Miss Berkly's experience
with love and trust may differ from
mine, heaven knows!' she thought, and
turned snoherlmber again.
But this time she dreamed only of the
cruel letter, and when morning dawned
she awoke with tears in her eyes.
|
! The grand Christmas dinner was over
at last. Isabel had enjoyed it because
| Margaret, shy of meeting so many
| strangers, had declined to dine down
stairs, and she, with Harry and Elsie,
had eaten their own good dinner in the
nursery; all the pleasanter because
minus the wearisome etiquette of the
! large table. Harold Weston had enioyed
! it, because the two young ladies made
the fuss over him which il is perfectly
natural any man should like.
But, truth to tell, his heart was i'm no
danger, neither of the ladies, notwith-
| standing Miss Berkly's confidential con-
iession to Isabel, reaching his standard
as to true WomanhOod, and because long
ago he had decided all women unworthy
"A mans trust and love. But he talked
and laughed and played the agreeable,
and at the proper time the ladies retired,
leaving the gentlemen to their cigars.
And presently little Harry ran from
the conservatory, with beautiful white
rose in his hand.
'' 1t is for Miss Arnold" he explained,
when Harold playfully caught the little
hand and asked for the rose.
And who is Miss ArnoldP" asked
Harold, more seriously.
" Oh, she's a beautiful lady who
teaches us lessons, and is awfully sweetr
" Only the children's governess," ex-'
planned Mr.. Granger, and the conVersa-
tion turned on other subjects.
But little later, as Margaret, who
had gone down to the dining-room for
something, paused a moment before the
fire and listened to the sound of music
from the parlors, Harold Weston en-
tered, and, without seeing Margaret,
advanced to the seat he had occupied at
dinner, and looked for something be.
meath the table.
Are you in search of something,
sir?" asked Margaret, who had not seen
the gentleman's face.