The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1880-05-26

how came you 10 recognize meP" she
asked curiously.
"How could have failed to recog-
nize you, rather. You have grown
slightly taller, perhaps, but ] knew
your step and your beautiful hair,
more beautiful then ever, Nellie. Twas
on my way to your house, when at
distance l saw you come down the steps,
and | could not resist trying to overtake
you. for just one word and look"
"Ohr' said Nellie, as light dawned
upon her; and then to put check upon
her companions sentimentality, she
added: "How it rains!" and quickened
hCrpace.
"Let it rainl" he answered, impa-
tiently-" cannon balls, if it will. l
want TO talk to you, Nellie"
Cannon. balls may suit your taste,
perhaps, but would scarcely be agreea-
BILE to me; and as to talki1g out here
in the rain and darkness, l am not ro-
mantle enough for that
He was forced to keep by her side as
she walked briskly on.
Where are you goingP" he inquired,
presently. aHhr.F
"Homep Why you are taking con-
trary direction from home,"
Il think not; believe know where
I live"
II did not know YOU had removed" j"
did you notp All, here we are, at
the gate. Please open it, If you can, on
the inside
He reluctar tly obeyed, but raised tie
latch so slowly as to detain her while
he whispered;
Nellie, you have not given Inc the
welcome you promised. You have not
said those words"
don't believe you really want me
to say them, +" she answered, very much
inclined to laugh, Yet almost frightened
at her own audacity.
. Not wantit? When you know how
| love you!"
~ don't believe it is me that you
love-" she returned, pushing open the
gate.
Good heavens, Nellie, how strangely
sou talk Who, then, do you imagine
| lovepp
am sure don't know" said Mel
ic, slowly raising her veil and pushing
,uck the hood g don know, but 1
.,nI certain it can't be mel"
And she looked up in his face with n
i,mure, pursed.up little mouth, and
brown eyes shining with suppressed
nirth through their long. black lashes.
lie stood gazing upon her as if petri-
ned with astonishmt Then a deep
lush crimsoned his handsome face and
his eyes flashed with an indignant light
- beg your pardonT he said, with
'eremonious politeness. 'Of course it
is n mistake on my part"
Il suppose it was" said Nellie, de-
murely.
III mistook you for another" he
said, both embarrassed and angry.
Was that my iault?' she returned.
'.lbut you-yOu certainly allowed me
to rest under the delusion."
That was for fun"
"FunP"
Perhaps was wrong. Indeed
now rather think that was" said Mel
lie, coloring beneath his gaze. "But,
rs neither of us shall ever mention this
adventure, suppose no harm is done,"
she added, coolly.
He regarded her an instant with a
strange, undecided expression.
Il beg your pardonl l am keeping
you in the rain, he said. Good even
ingr'
And, lifting his hat with icy polite
ness, he WalkeQ n way.
Nellie, as she entered the house, was
met by her elder sisters with shower
of questions as TO who was that elegant
looking man, how she had met him,
what he had said.
Unlike herself in general, she returned
brie replies; end escaping to her own
room, threw asiCe her wat erproof.
changed her dress, and. seating herself
before the fire, gazed absently into the
glowing embers. Presently she laughed,
then bit her lip with n vexed expires
sion, and finally began to cry.
Il wonder what makes me do such
silly, unlady-like thingsPn she thought.
am always getting into some ridicu-
lous scrape or other. What an opinion
he must have of meP | shall be really
ashamed to meet him again, as / sup
pose l must, if he is Mr.. Gray"
Then her mood changed.
don'tc care. He may be as dignified
as he pleases, but he shall never see that
| trouble myself even to remember this
ridiculous walk, and the horrid um-
brellap
Presently another change came over
her.
"Poor fellow! 1 can't help pitying
him, for | fear this has been merely a
rehearsal of the real act. Why, Nellie
Archer was in the parlor with Captain
Lloyd nearly two hours this afternoon,
when she must have known, from that
letter. of Charles coming / wonder il
she ever said to the captain-or to young
Doctor Bliss-what she said to her
cousinP Poor fellow And Nellie has
been showing his letters toalf the girls
| She could not have done so bad she
| loved him.
Nellie Caldwell was correct in hel
anticipation of again meeting with Mr.
Charles Gray. The society of the littl'
town was very gay; and what witt
church fairs and parties, and other socia
amusements. it was impossible tina
these two should not be thrown to
! gether.
Nellie hlushed, despite her utmost en-
deavoTs to look unconscious, when Mr.
Gray was first presented to her; bu
the gentleman was so cool and composed
that she actually doubted whether h
had recognized her.
He ronyersed with her a little, dance'