The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1880-06-02
FIFTEEN, FOURTEEN, THIRTEEN.

1t was on clustering evening in
March that Mr.. Alexander Ashe, paus-
ing in his rapid progress through one
OF the tree-christened streets which bisect
the city OF Penn, took from his pocket
letter, and holding it well up to catch
the somewhat uncertain light of lamp,
studied the address with a zeal sharp
ened by sudden apprehension.
Confound Uncle Nat |" he MUIR
INJURED, wish he would learn to put
tails to his SIS 1914. no; 1914, no;
that quirl certainly must mean 3
We'll. this is really too bad. It never
occurred to me till this moment that
there could be mistake, but certainly
it Is 3, and not 8. A nice business it
would be to make blunder in--heiress-
hunting Pshaw! But it's to please
Uncle Nat. He's been good to me in
his way, the old fellow has, and cant
we'll refuse so slight favor as that
should call on these what's their names?
--Ashursts, even if he does go on to air
what he calls his, 'long-matured hopes
that the call Gay leSd to something
more interesting. 1t won't, though.
never saw girl with money yet that
wasn't altogether detestible. 1914. 1914
which is it Never mind, this is
Thirteenth street; so much is certain
Now let's see-the house must be on
this side. Perhaps the name is on the
door. By Jove! never thought of
that.
Sure enough, the name was on the
door = Ashurst revealed plainly
enough ~ an opportune street lamp
directly opposite; and Alex Ashe rang
the bell, muttering to himself: "A
good hit that It's lucky [ didn't go
off in search Of 1914. Still, l wish
Uncle Nat would mend the tails of
his 5's."
A narrow entry presented itself to his
view when the door opened, for the
house was small, ard the misfortune of
a small house is that each newcomer
instinctively makes his measurements,
and deduces from what he sees the
probable extent and compass of what
he does not see. 1.-The ladies were at
home" and white-capped maid took
his card into the parlor, and returning
presently, ushered him in. What a
pleasant roomW was his first thought
as he entered. Not a handsome
parlor" in the least. He was used to
those parlors where every mirror,
bronze, curtain, and piece of furniture
was the exact complement of similar
on either hand; where sofas and chairs
wore fine clothes on occasion, and COM
lnOn petticoats for common days, and
nothing seemed intended for use, COM
fort, or the indulgence of unauthorized
or impromptu pleasures. This was a
room of different type, not handsome
at all in the conventional sense. but
full of individuality and charm. Thick
rug-like hangings of the cheap Abruzzi
tapestry of Italy draped doors and win
dOws; the walls, of soft harmonious
tint, were hung thickly with pictures
and drawings, among which wandered,
apparently at will, the shoots of a
magnificent ivy. A bright fire of can
nel-cOal shown in the low crate; there
were books everywhere; the piano
stood open, and strewn with music
sheets; a writing-table, heaped with
papers, in one corner, and an easel and
paints in another, showed that busy
people used the room, and worked
there when so inOlined-a thing moi
often permitted in parlors kept fol
show; and on the ehimney-piece stood
bowl of fresh violets, which ditfu sec
spring-like OdOr about the place.
Two young ladies, evidently sisters
rose from seats beside the lire, anC
came forward to receive the guest
The elder, who held the card between
her fingers, had a sweet and sensible
countenance,a "a remarkably pretty figure
and a manner full of gracious dignit,
and composure. She was of that typ
OF woman whom other women Wonde
that all men don't fall in love with
but they don't. The younger was in
totally different style-iair, round
brilliant, smiling, possessed of thou
sand untaught graees, which lent {
her manner inexhaustible variety an
charm, but withal with the sunni
eandOr of child shining in her clea
blue eyes. Amy Ashurst was alto
gether an enchanting creature, an
Alex Ashe, struck ana dazzled, nut