The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1880-09-01

Bently did not see her again till ne of.
fered her his arm to the carriage.
Grandmother had been lecturing. That
was plain. for Gertrude's cheeks were
painfully flushed ,and her hand trem bled
as it touched his arm.
Mr.. Bently wondered what it al
meant, as who would notP but he said
pleasantly, as he took his seat beside
her:
Miss GertrudeP"
GO No, 1 didn't" she answered, per-
versely, and then, leaning forward to
address her father; Papa, do you
know that Carrie Sheville-I mean
Mrs Knight--lacks a month of being as
old as am"
"She looks quite mature" Mr.. Gre
CORY reblied.
And 1 suppose you think that is
enough" Gertrude resumed, in higher
key. "Mr. Bently," she continued,
"what do you think of the way girls
are driven into unsuitable marriages in
these daysP"
"I thought, Miss Gertrude, in these
days that young ladies did about as they
pleased" the gentleman answered.
Z" 1 am not talking of young ladies, +"
was the petulant reply, but the girls
of my age"
Pardon me, Miss Gertrude" said
Mr.. Bently, "but | was not aware that
girls went into society in New York"
This was a hard hit, but his COM
panion was equal to the situation.
"Well, they do" she replied, elf
they happen to talk and look mature,
as papa says. A girl might prefer to
play with her dolls to going into soci-
ETY.; but that wouldn't make any diff
ference if her folks had reasons of th cir
own for pushing her out, and she hap
pened to be tall enough to hitch a train
to, and unawkward enough not to break
her neck with it."
BY this time Mr.. Bently was nearly
convulsed with laughter.
This girl-or whatever she was
pleased to call herself-was certainly the
most original and straightforward speci-
men he had ever met. He knew that
her father and grandmother were burst
ing with rage, and this only increased
his merriment.
"I sometimes think Gertrude con-
siders herself martyr" Mrs. Gregory
remarked, in her most Indifferent man
ner.
By this time they had reached home,
and Gertrude's "Oh, grandmap was
the beginning and end of her indignant
reply.
She knew ", and so did Court Bently,
that the old lady had planned this
moment for the delivery of the few
words which were intended to deceive
him in reference to her granddaughter
opinion of her own grievances.
The next morning Gertrude appeared
at he breakfast table In a light blue
cashmere, trimmed girlishly with vel
vet, and her magnificent brown hair
hanging loose on the back, as she had
threatened, only she had managed to
fasten it on the neck, so that its wander
ings were considerably circucumscribed.
The effect was fine and almost start
ling. Court Bently was afraid he should
make himself obnoxious by his frequent
glances in her direction; but in all his
travels he had never seen a prettier
picture, and Court Bentley was very
appreciative of the beautiful in both
nature and art.
Grandma Gregory did her best to be
social, but the figure opposite was evil
IDENTIFY too much even for her serenity,
and the old lady's breakfast was not a
success.
"Will you be very much vexed if !
pay YOU a compliment this morning,
Miss GertrudeP" Mr.. Bently asked.
Mr.. Gregory and his mother had left
the dining-room, and he and Gertrude
were alone.
That's according" she replied, good
naturedly.
'Well, then," the gentleman re-
sumed, 4" / am quite in love with your
morning toilet; and if were in your
place l would wear blue dresses and my
hair on my back all the time"
"Do you like thisP" Gertrude in
quired, "a comical expression overspread-
ing her face. "I'm sure didn't think
you would" she added.
"Then you must have considered me
man of very poor taste" Mr.. Bently
replied. "If Iwere little nearer your
age, Miss Gertrude" he continued, "I
might infer from your words that you
had made your toilet this morning with
q view to my disliking it."
Gertrude looked very much amused,
and with curious glance at her COM
panion, said:
Zone would suppose you were an oc'
togenarian. Mr.. Bently.'
81 presume | must be nearly twenty
years older than you, Miss Gertrude, u
AlO tAlo HA6NOAJ eAAA 1WSheJ
nine, and, calling you twelve-pardon
me if these figures are too large-you
see there wouldsbe seventeen years diff
ference, and that is a great deal"
Well, declared" the young lady ex-
claimed, with flashing eyes and scarlet
cheeks. You must have a singular
opinion of my father and grandmother
if you think they would allow me TO
wear train, and my hair top of my
head, as if l were only twelve years old
1 shall be seventeen Tomorrow" she
continued, making a low obeisance
" and what induced you to think | was
only twelve. I'm sure / can't under
stand.n
~ beg your pardon" the gentleman
replied, carelessly; but presume ]
received my impression from your re-
marks last evening as we returned from
the wedding"
Gertrude had no time to answer, for
just here her father entered the room,
and shortly after the two gentlemen
started downtown.
"Wen, Gertrude" said grandma, as