The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1880-04-28

q
little honesty and decency left among
us, which is more than can be said for
all places. Well, VIII 1t do you sayp Yes
or no. There's my hand on it if it's
yes
He held out his broad palm, Lucy
| hesitated, but for q moment only.
Yes, will, she said. I've nowhere
| else to 90, and you seem kind
Another moment and they were driv-
i ing off together down the maple-shaded
road, whose yellow and crimson boughs
! danced overhead against 'October's
bright blue weather. There were peace
and calming in the fresh stiffness of the
early day. Gradually little color stole
into Lucy's pale cheeks, and Johns hot
mood gave place to wonted good humor
and cheer.
I You've had no breakfast, I'll bet,' he
said, with smile. And no more have
1. was so mad with that woman that
l couldn't swallow a mouthful, but now
/ begin to feel sharp enough. Wen
stop at the next tavern. Southwick,
isn't itp Five miles and halt. Can
you hold out till thenP
'Oh, yes, indeed, with grateful look
out of the blue eyes.
Johns tone grew more and more
friendly.
We'll have something hot and hearty
there he said. You look pale. l
guess you didn't sleep any too much last
night
'Oh, 1 couldn't sleep at all. Mrs.
Nash told me that l must go the first
thing in the morning, and = felt so
badly
i shouldn't think you would want to
stay with u woman like that
But it's so dreadful to have nowhere
to 90 to. And besides She stopped
abruptly, with look like terror in her
eyes.
Have you no friends, thenP asked
John.
Mo- The tone was very reserved
but reserve could hardly fail to melt
under so sunshiny a presence as John
Boyd's, and before the long days ride
, was done he had won from her the main
, facts of her story.
, Lucy Dill was her name. Her mother
had married for the second time when
I4rcy was twelve years old, and three
fifteen, had died, leaving her to the
protection of her stepfather.
She didn't know what sort of a mar
{ he was,' said Lucy. And he wasn'
2 that kind of man when she was alive
was too young to notice much, anC
mother always put herself between hin
{ and me when things went wr ong
After she died it was dreadful. Elkin'
, that's his son-came home to live
I He never lived there before, and-an'
d he
. Wanted to marry youP
a Yes; and his father said / must
" But was afraid of him of them both
And people began to come to the hous
= | 10 nANH-ond I a.
suspect things
: What kind of thingsP'
1t was not easy to get an answer +
this question. In fact, the terrified au
: inexperienced girl had hardly dared
Z formulate her own fears; but Joh
gathered the idea that coming or othe
a unlawful practices were going on, an
e Lucy, only half comprehending, had III
y derstood enough to startle and frighte
II her into making her escape. She ha
: effected this by night six weeks befor
;, and her great dread was of being di
e covered and forced to go back. job
reassured her as well as he could.
Is You'll be just as safe at the farm ;
T if you were in an iron safe,' he pr
= tested.
N But, spite of his assurances, the lurl
70 ing terror never left Lucy's eyes, thoug
weeks sped safely by and nothing o
Cured to alarm her. Every suddt
G noise made her start; the sight of
{, strange figure on the road blanched b,
70 roses to paleness. Except for this fea
u fulness, she proved an excellent hell
in all ways, quick, neat-fingered, swee
10 tempered. Old Barbara wondered no
ever the farm had got on without he
=, and John in his secret heart wonders
also. 1t never should be without h
le again-on that he was firmly resolved
10 Lucy he said one day, three mont
le after she became his inmate, Pm tirt
nc of seeing you jump and quiver and scu
- tie upstairs whenever the peddler or &
;n ragman comes along. It's bad for 20
u. and il worries me almost to deaf
ou Now, there's Just one way that'll ma
.lr all safe, and set your mind at ease, a
Is' chat is, that you just marry me out
= hand, and give me the right
gh protect you. Once my wife, shouldl
&c care if your stepfather and all t
rs gang came after you; let them lay
~ finger on you at their peril, while [
OF alive and have the right TO interfel
re, Will you, LucyP It's the best thing
nu be done. trust my word for it. / dol
II mean to pretend that I'm doing it
us your sake entirely" added John, Wi
NO a broad smile, " for / amt. want y
M 'Mat for my own sake the worst way, 3
ler both ways it will be a gain; so, unl
OF you have something against me, S
pt, "Yes," Lucy, and we'll have the pars
GOT over tomorrow. and make all sa
gre Will you, LucyP
no 'Oh, how could l have anythi
ny against youp' replied Lucy, with
as: sweetest blush.
lat WELL declared John, a momt
ms after, as he raised his head from
es, first long lovers kiss, now forg
lhe Mrs. ash!'--HGrper's BGzGr.
ln-