The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1879-05-14

anu accent UeSUll1bu bIlaU, as well us JnB |
gentle sefpossession with which she |
now confronted these unlimited guests. |
Mrs. Hunter recovered first. Women |
generally do on such occasions.
81 beg your pardon" she said, with |
her pleasantest manner. 1--WE knocked |
several times without being able to make |
any one hear, and at last we ventured to |
walk in. Then l saw this curious old |
plate on the shelf, and couldn't resist
Do you use it, may / ask, or is it of any
particular value to youp If not, might
be glad to buy it, if your-mother were
inclined to sell. It's queer old thing,
but | have some which almost match it,
and should like this"
"It belongs to my aunt-Mrs. Marsh"
replied the young lazy, briefly. 81 don't
think she would wish to part with it."
There was no invitation to linger in
voice or manner. Evidently she eX-
pected them to go at once.
"Is your aunt at homep" asked the un-
daunted Mrs. Hunter. Il should like
to see her if she is"
mo, she is not at home" The tone
was perfectly gentle and polite, but still
with the underlying reserve and sur
prise which made Mr.. Freke feel so un-
comfortable. Mrs. Hunter apparently did
not share his sensations.
&c must come again some day when
she is at home," she went on. " 1t is
really delightful old plate. What are
these letters on it; do you knowP l
can't make them out"
"The letters are B. H. H. They stand
for Barbara Holdsworthy Hagen" said
the girl, coming a step nearer.
"Was she relation of your aunt'sP"
"Her great-grandmother Allow me;
\ it seems to be dusty taking the plate
from Mrs. Hunters unwilling fingers.
"And was your aunt very fond of
herP" inquired that lady, insinuatingly.
"She never saw her, | believe" And
putting the plate back on the shelf, she
closed the door with gentle decision.
You must think us very impertinent
to meddle with your plate without per-
mission. And indeed we are; but please
forgive me. 1t was all my fault; my
friend Mr.. Freke here had nothing to do
with it, and the truth is, that | am so
foolishly fond of old china that / cannot
keep my hands off it wherever it is"
The tone was very winning, and Raby's
face relaxed in spite of itself. Barbara
Hagen Glenn was my girls name, but no
one ever called her Barbara, not evenAunt
Marsh, who had little tolerance for pet
names or nonsense of any kind. Every
body said "Raby," and the crisp little
title seemed to suit her better than a
longer and finer one could. She half
smiled; and when Mrs. Hunter went on
still in the same charming What
an odd, and curious, and delightful
looking old house this is |! 1t seems just
the place for story. | am devoted to
these old-fashioned houses, and they are
pulling them down so fast all over the
country it is quite shocking, Do you
think, if | came over some day, your
aunt would let me go over it Pit would
be such treat !"-the smile flashed into
full, brilliant life, Frightening the brown
eyes so wonderfully that Mr.. Freke,
quite dazed, said within himself, E" 1t is
the most charming face l ever saw
Raby was fond of the old house. 1t
vexed her often that her aunt cared so
little for it, and dwelt on its inconveni-
ences so much more than on its quaint
ness. No one save herselfhad ever seemed
alive to its merits before. Mrs. Hunter
had made "hit."
"I think aunt wouldn't mind il" she
said. half to herself, then. "If you like
I will show it to you now. But there's
nothing to see but the house itself. That
is really curious. never met with an
other like it"
"Will you, indeedp How very kindn
! cried Mrs. Hunter, with rapid, raptur-
Gus blink in Mr.. Freke's direction. Hel
Imagination was already at work cheap
ening the treasures of the attic, as they
8 followed their young hostess down the
! long entry which separated the kitchen
from the front of the house.
A large square room lay on either side
, of the entry But here disappointment
! awaited Mrs. Hunter, for these rooms
: were altogether unfurnished. upstairs
. they met the same experience; in tn,
two occupied chambers the simples
/ furniture; dust and bare emptiness every
n where else. Even the garrett held moth
q ing to reward search-none of the spin
v ming wheels, or antique brasses, or eight
e day clocks with broken cogs, which Mrs
; Hunters soul coveted. Her taste for oil,
houses was a simulated one. What sh
p really cared for was their purchasabl
q contents, and failing these, her interes
Il visibly tagged. In vain Raby, with
pretty graciousness, pointed out the real
n ly curious points about the old dwellin
;et the wainscotings, the high carve
) chimney-pieces, the oddly paneled shu
Ie ters showed the recess under the flool
!. ing in which valuables might be hidde
in case of need, the bedroom in the leaI
is to addition, where a shingled roof d.
,e sceuded to forA part of the ceiling; an
ar even told a gkost story, the story
n lady in a rustling skirt, which skirt 81
10 averred rustled still ofwindy nights; 81
IS herself had heardit. Mrs. Hunter listel
M ed without interest. Her thoughts we
rs dwelling on the old plate, and she d
ic not notice, as did Mr.. Freke, how excit
ne ment had quickened Raby's bloom al
in frightened her eyes with positive beau
d, as She led the way from room to roo
ad with cordial simple grace, from viii,
ld all reserve and stiffness had fled.
se "And now about that piece of china
i'll Mrs. Hunter said, suddenly, as they I
or gained the kitchen. DO you thil
ice your aunt would be likely to be in
4 morrow l must come over and ia
~ with her about it; or perhaps, N
Freke, you will come for me if the III
lra | mans arrive and I am detained pn