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

be0bly Qlu UOb bC6 ubE uSdlH Oill hC va
fered her his arm to the carriage.
GRANDMOTHER had been lecturing. That
was plain, for Gertrude's cheeks were
painfully flushed ,and her hand embled
as it touched his arm.
MIR. Bently wondered what it oil
meant, as who would notp but he said
pleasantly, as he took his seat beside
her:
"You saw the bride off, suppose,
Miss GertrudeP"
+" No, 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 month OF being as
old as am"
"She looks quite mature" Mr.. Gre
CORY REPLIED.
sand 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. -.
II 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 hard hit, but his CON-
panion was equal to the situation.
"Well, they do" she replied, " if
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 wou ldn' 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 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.
81 sometimes think Gertrude con
siders herself a martyr" Mrs. Gregory
remarked, in her most indifferent man.
ner.
By this time they had reached home,
and Gertrude's "Oh, grandmaW was
the beginning and end OF her indignant
reply.
that the old lady had planned this
moment for the delivery of the few
words which were intended to deceive
him in reference 10 her granddaughter's
opinion of her own grievances.
The next morning Gertrude appeared
at he breakfast 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
| lasten it on the neck, so that its wander
| inps were considerably circucumscribed.
The effect was fine and almost start
| ling. Court Bently was afraid he shoulC
make himself obnoxious by his frequent
glances in her direction; but in all hi:
| travels he had never seen prettiel
picture, and Court Bentley was very
appreciatiye of the beautiful in botl
| nature and art.
Grandma Gregory did her best to bt
social, but the figure opposite was evi
| IDENTIFY too much even for her serenity
and the old lady's breakfast was not ;
success.
"Will you be very much vexed if
nav YOU a compliment this morning
Miss GertrudeP" Mr.. Bently asked.
Mr.. Gregory and his mother had lef
the dining-room, and he and Gertrud
were alone.
That's according" she replied, good
naturedly.
"Weli, then," the gentleman re
sumed, s. 1 am quite in love with you
morning toilet; and if were in you
place / would wear blue dresses and m
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 thin
you W would," she added.
"Then you must have considered m
man of very poor taste," Mr.. Bentl,
replied. eff Iwere little nearer you
age, Miss Gertrude" he continued, ="
might infer from your words that 20
had made your toilet this morning wit
view to my disliking it,"
Gertrude looked very much amused
and with a curious glance at her con
panion. said:
lone would suppose you were an OF
togenarian, Mr.. Bently.'
"I presume l must be nearly twent
years older than you, Miss Gertrude,
he answered, gravely. i am twenty
nine, and, calling you twelve-pardo
nae if these figures are too large-yo
see there would'be seventeen years al
ference, and that is great deal"
Well, declared" the young lady e1
, claimed, with flashing eyes and scarl'
cheeks. "You must have singula
opinion of my father and grandmothC
! if YOU think they would allow me
wear train, and my hair top of m
, head, as if were only twelve years olC
| shall be seventeen tomorrow" 81
: continued, making a low obeisanc'
and what induced you to think | wf
! only twelve. I'm sure l can't unde
} stand"
~ beg your pardon" the genttems
{ replied, carelessly; g but presume
received my impression from your r
) marks last evening as we returned fro
: the wedding"
Gertrude had no time to answer, f
E Just here her father entered the roor
3 and shortly after the two gentlemt
g started downtown.
a WILL Eov-tr,Yda ~ oaid Grandma