The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1879-03-19
THE RIGHT MAN AFTER ALL.
vIonA's LOVERS.

was llbbl6 BlIl Hb BCnOOl, ana now was
trying TO win the first place in the young
lady's affections.
Two years ago, the paternal Ellsworth
had given John, on his twenty third
birthday, deed of small, good farm
near his own.
John set about making a home for
himself, with one of his half-dozen sis
ters to manage it, and went at his farm
ing in earnest. And all the gossips of
the neighborhood went about with
chins elevated and noses wrinkled when
no was mentioned. And the younger
female portion thought him rather a
desirable object to maneuver for.
Perhaps that was one reason why
Viola had been so gracious to him. It
was something to secure without an ef-
fort attentions that all the other girls
schemed for. But John Ellsworth did
not realize her ideal. Under her calm
exterior, she dreamed romances of the
most vivid rose.pink. She had heard
hints and echoes of a world that lay out
side her own ephere-a world of lights
and music, and gay dressing holiday
life, with opera and theater- going
nights in it and days full of unlimited
| pleasure-seeking.
Ore June night, driving over to see
his slady, John found her with an unusual
flush on her fair, calm face.
She rode with him-accepting his in d.
vitation in a matter-ot-course way that
was dreadfully discoaraging.
1t came out, after a little. Mrs.
biornington--a great aunt-had sent for
her photograph month ago, not hav-
s,,s. Lo,, IL.
Two days ago had come an invitation for
Viola to spend couple of months with
her-the great aunt--in New York, and
she was going tomorrow.
{" It's no use denying" the young man
said, his voice growing husky, that
I'm sorry for this. 1 don't know what
will come to you from this. You are
not contented here; you never will be
till you have had an experience beyond
it-perhaps not then. am not wise to
ten You now, suppose, but 1 love you,
Viola. Mind, do not ask you now for
any return. l will wait for what the
future shall put in your heart to say. "
1t was long speech, certainly, for a
proposal; but Viola listened very atten-
lively to her first proposal, and her blue
eyes softened.
Indeed / do care for you, John, and
yen can't blame me for wanting to go.
Aunt needs me, and no one does here,
particularly. And I've never seen any
thing OF society,".
81 know, dear
"And 1 shall not forget you," inter
rupting him. 81 shall always think OF
you," giving him her hand.
For kmO " ,,,nnthe n I;LkIc
sadly. "Gcol by, then" kissing the
herself alone, and went to finish hei
packing.
Viola's next two months were delight
full. She was always prettily dressed,
aud Frank Thorpe pass5 d his valuable
time beside her.
Mrs. Mornington watched the girl
narrowly, and when Viola came home
the second week in September, it was
with an invitation to stay through the
winter.
John Ellsworth called on her the night
after her return.
" You look we'll and happy" he said,
scanning her face.
SCI am," she said and she told him
all about her delightful visit.
"And yen are going to settle down
with us now ?"
"Oh, no shall stay here only few
days. Aunt is coming for me as she re.
turns from visit she is paying"
John Ellsworth went away early il
the evening, having said no word Of
what had been in his heart all these
weeks.
"Poor fellow" Viola said, as she
went down the moonlit road. AnC
then Frank Thorpe's dreamily sad gray
eyes came up before her, and she forgo
John Ellsworth's shadowy brown ones
Mrs. MorningtOn came and took the
young lady away, and Frank Thorpe
was once again hanging about hers
most formidable matrimonial prize.
The Christmas holidays came anC
went. Frank Thorpe lounged in OF
Christmas day, and was paler and NOR,
listless than ever.
"Frank Thorpe, you are utterly
Mrs. Mornington.
ga general giving way of the system
1 should say"
"Nonsensel General laziness. II
my day
"Oh, my dear madam p starting III
alarmed. "Indeed, I'll reform.
think I'm better already. Miss Viola
I'm intensely interested in the subjec
occupying your thoughts at present, i
you'll tell me what it is, anxiously.
ST was wondering if you were evel
in love, and how she treated you,
laughed Viola.
Over Thorpe's face rushed food o
scarlet. He glanced up, caught Mrs
Mornington's sharp eyes upon him, anC
flushed again.
Mrs. Mornington gave her first bit O
advice to her young charge that night
"Frank Thorpe is not man to trif,
with, my dear. 1 think he is in lov,
with you. You could hardly do better.
"Do betterl" raising her broad lid
for a full, steady look. ST hadn'
Thought there was To be anV calcula