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

interested, have looked me over so crit
ically, for all the world like milliner
when she is selecting the shade best
suited to ones complexion, and then
your ak for the last few months about
the beauty and safety of early marriages,
combined with your anxiety about my
back hair-all these things l have put
tell the truth, and you know it."
shall give you an opportunity soon
to be ashamed ofyourself," said the old
lady, quietly, "when inform you that
the gentleman you speak of is engaged to
a lady in Berlin. You will perhaps see
the propriety of doing your sum over
again, with "A view to correcting its for
mer mistakes"
"Oh, Grandma Gregory" Gertrude
exclaimed, her sweet face radiant with
delight, "You may rig me now just as
you pie Sc, and you can hoist my back
Lair to my eyebrows, and fasten it on
with spikes, and I'll never say word,
and I'll forgive you for ever planning
about me, you naughty, designing
grandma, because l know you did, and
papa, too"
At this juncture q servant entered and
presented a card to Mis-. Gregory. With
O. critical glance at her granddaughter,
VIII had thrown herself into an arm
chair by the fire to think it all over,
the old lady ordered the visitor shown
in, and the next moment a gentleman of
most distingue appearance entered the
| room.
Grandma's greeting was very kind,
and the visitor seemed sincerely glad to
see his OLD friend again.
"This," said Mrs. Gregory, leading
the gentleman to Gertrude, 4" is the little
girl you used to tease so long ago, and
who, l suppose, has quite outgrown your
remembrance. Mr.. Bently-Gertrude."
"Indeed, no." the gentleman replied,
as he shook hands with the young lady.
"She has grown quite tall, to be sure,
but l should judge, Mrs. Gregory, if l
may be pardoned the remark, that your
granddaughter has not outgrown her
mischief"
"Quitc correct" said grandma. II
| think not. ="
Gertrude replied, with blushing
smile:
Il do not remember you, Mr.. Bently,
though, if you will excuse me, l should
not be afraid to hazard the remark that
you have held on to your fun also"
Court Bently was twenty-nine, and
| looked twenty-five, and Gertrude, as she
conversed in her unaffected and ladylike
manner, was not quite. seventeen, and
| locked twenty.
Grandma was the picture of serene
contentment as she listened to the
pleasant chatter; and once, as Gertrude
| surprised n peculiar expression on the
old lady's face, all her old suspicion re.
| turned for q moment; but as she had
never known her grandmother, with all
her tact and diplomacy, to tell false
hood, she dismissed the thought as I'M
worthy, and gave herself up to tue
pleasure of entertainment.
The next evening Gertrude, in a
white silk dress, her hair n la mode, was
escorted to the wedding by Mr.. Bently.
She had kept her promise to her grand
mother, but she felt altogether over
dressed and uncomfortable.
Her own ideas in regard to what she
should wear on all occasions were eX-
cellent and her taste uneXceptiOnable,
and now she grew more distrait and un-
happy.
her manner, whispered laughingly to
her as they took their seats in one OF
the front pews in the large church:
"You seem out of tune, Miss Ger
trude. Is it envy of the bride, or dis
satisfaction with your escortp"
Gertrude's eyes flashed they had
been all ready to flash ever since the
hairdresser finished his work-and re-
piled. considerably above whisper:
"You are all that is desirable, Mr..
Bently-at least, suppose so-though
have not had enough of attention from
gentlemen to really be able TO tell. And
as for Carrie Sheville, who is going tc
marry man ever so much Older thar
she is, Just for his money, l don't think
I feel anything just now but contemp,
} for her."
"She may love him, Miss Gertrude
notwithstanding the damaging fact o.
his fortune" Mr.. Bently ventured to re-
spond little satirically.
Fudgei" said Gertrude, with cur
of her lip.
, "Since YOU are satisfied with me, ant
not Jealous of the bride, Miss Gertrude
may l inquire why you appear so
J So"
"CrossP" his companion interrupted
. "You had better ask why l came to this
: wedding, Mr.. Bently."
"Well, why did you?"
"To show off my new dress and tn
t arrangement of my op-knoU, sir, and 70
no other reason in the world, unless in
deed it might be that Twas expected t
come"
, "OhI" SAID the gentleman, Win pc
4 culiar mysti6eation OF countenance AM
tone, which, for the moment, seemed I
f quite restore the young lady's goo
D spirits.
> An hour later, at the reception, Ger
e trude, who was slipping a cup of cotfe
and chatting gayly with her new friend
e heard her father, who, with her grand
e moyher, had seats directly behind hel
= remark cautiously-indeed, the ears the
a were intended for scarcely caught tn
n low tones:
e " He says there isn't the slightes
n truth in that report we heard"
r Mr.. Bently went to get an ice for ri
d companion, and on his return Miss Gei
n trude was nowhere to be seen.
"She has gone to havea chat with tn
d BRIDE" Mr.. Gregory explained but tn
Ie genteman's manner of looking about th
Il