The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1880-10-20
and well arranged plan. They parted


But you have made mistake. i
don't know you"
They were standing on Santa Clara
street. She spoke in rather loud tone,
and the stranger betrayed a little ner-
vousness and dread that the passers-by
might interfere.
L have not intimated," he said,
that / am so fortunate as to be known
by you. 1t was the very desire to know
you that impelled me-"
don't understand you, sir. I'll
call an officer unless you leave me in
stsntlyl"
"Such language humiliates me ex-
ceedingly, madam. Acc ept my hum
blest apologies for having caused you
any uneasiness or fright. The street is
thronged, and any one would protect
you against an indignity at my hands.
beg you to waitjus moment, that l
may explain myself"
But to be seen standing in the street
conversing with man of your-your-
appearanceI"
7" Madam, if my face is crimson at
that remark, it is merely evidence of a
weakness that l am unable to conquer
call it pride, if you please. regret that
my poverty obtrudes itself, obscuring
everything else."
A look of pity appeared in the girls
eyes, and, although she evinced in her
attitude of impatience strong desire to
be left alone, her original feelings of fear
and repugnance gradually melted under
the firm, deliberate, polished, gentle
manly bearing of the man. The stranger
exhibited a kindly, patient dignity that
would have made California girl, with
a spark of adventure and romance, think
twice before she rejected his advances
summarily.
THAT is true, SIR" she said, have
no doubt. But that is no reason that /
shouldn't put an end to this interview
by saying, once for all, decline your
escort"
Her tongue uttered these words. Her
eyes said: q dare you to try me little
further" He heard the words, but saw
the look. She felt the superiority OF this
mans will. She turned to leave, scorn-
fully. He promptly stepped to her side.
OF course she was greatly angered at this
persistent impertinence, and, turning
upon him with flashing eyes, she said:
thought l had said enough, sir. to
put a gentleman on his honor. You
place me in false position. Your i'm
pertiD ence is extremely distastetul to
nae. Please leave me-"
So said her tongue. Her eyes said:
" You haven't got the nerve to GO any
further" He said Gas by this time they
we're walking slowly along):
- Y ou misconstrue me entirely. Let
me explain my motives, that you may
understand my apparent rudeness. l
am stranger; have no friends here.
[ have been unfortunate. There was
such kind, womanly, sympathetic ex-
preston in your face-please don't turn
away Thank you. Apart from the
consideration that you should have an
csc, rt over the Guadalupe bridge"
You know where l live, then, it
seemsg"
SCertainly; and your name Also"
" And you are stranger hereP"
Absolutely"
There was such delicate little COM
pliment conc ealed in this that she was
hattered.
81 was saying" he continued, that,
apart from that necessary consideration,
l did not think it would be wrong, or
that l was lacking in respect, to speak
to you, to he n few moments with you,
and then leave you forever. | put it to
you, as q reasonable, sensible woman,
whether or not appear to do anything
in violation of mans proper regard for
things that shouid be handled tenderly
and sacredly. l am separated from
every face and scene that has heretofore
made life pleasant l am a stranger in
strange country, and it is with shame
admit that the appearance make pre-
cludes my entry into society congenial
to my tastes. am lonely and desolate,
hungering for a kindly look, and it is
only desperation on that account that
forces me to approach you. And then,
your face reminds me so strikingly OF
my mothers that l could not resist the
desire to hear your voice also"
The fellow was born diplomat. The
girl was about eighteen or twenty years
OF age. of course she was handsome,
and had a sweet face. The young man
had the bearing of polished, though
unfortunate, gentleman proud, but with
pride tinctured with sorrow and lone
illness; calm, slow, erect and possessed
of that ability to look steadily and un-
dauntedly into the eyes OF a woman
that has more weight as expressing
power and superiority than all other
things combined. The girl was touched
with pity and spurred by desire for an
adventure.
81 really don't know what to do" she
said.
81 don't believe" replied the stranger,
"that a woman with as much strength
and character as see in your face would
naturally lay much stress on conven-
tionalities as would those of shalloweT
feeling"
During this time they had advanced a
few steps. The girl looked at the ground,
confused. The man at her side was evil
IDENTIFY a gentleman. He was in distress,
was reminded by her OF his mother, had
no friends perhaps was in want. Poor
fellow! But what would her friends
think of such an escapadeP Neverthe-
less, after hesitating a moment, she ad
mitted that she had been conquered, by
saying;
I'm grant your strange request, sir
though I'm afraid I'm doing wrong"
1t is somewhat singular that. at thai
particular moment, it did not occur tC
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