The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1880-01-28
The Belle of Wolf Run.

A company of strolling players N a
harm. The great space is lighted by
lamps OF very description, the mo. {
ambitious OF which is circle of hoops
stuck ull of candles. This does duty
rs the grand chandelier, and is quite
effective.
Seated near the stage, before which
hangs green curtain, are two persons
II man and young girl, whom, even
the unpracticed eye might take as rustic
lovers. He is a tall, finely-formed
young fellow, with a noble head and
kcC n, spark ling blue eyes. She is the
beauty'of Wolf Run, faultless in figure
and feature, and with a something in
her expression denoting that she is not
quite satisfied with her position, even as
the belle OF the village, or her surround
ings.
Margaret Lee had never in her life
seen n play, therefore she was prepared
TO L, alize all the emotions Of novelty,
terror, wonder, delight, with which "a.
novice looks on he strut and action of
those who cater to the profouudesl
emotions, OF course she forgot wher,
she was; cfcourse she was dazzled and
terribly stirred at the love scenes, which
were, as usual, exaggerated.
The hero Qf-tle drama was a hand
sonAe, worthless rascal, who learned,
before the evening was through, to play
at our unsophisticated little Margaret,
readilg her admiration in her eyes, and
enjoying the smiles, the tears, and almost
spoken interest, of the beauty of Wo,f
Run.
Pretty good - wasn't it P" said
Charlie Vance, as he held her fleecy red
shawl to wrap about her, ut the close
of the performance.
Margaret had no words, she only
gasped: "Oh, Charlie!" as they gained
the door, and caught at his arm; for
their stood the hero of the stage, still in
his bespanged velvet finery, and evil
IDENTIFY stationed at that particular place
in order to catch glance at her lovely
face.
"Confound his impudence'' Charlie
Vance muttered between his teeth.
Margaret shivered little as they lett
the barn. Everybody. was laughing
and talking. The soft, clear, round
moon shed its, light upon scene of
sylvan beauty; but the two spoke hut
few words until they had reached Mar
garets home a-souare white house set
back garden.
"A little of that goes great ways" 4"
said the young farmer, who had evi-
IDENTIFY been thinking the matter over.
They stay here n week or more.
don't care to 60 again, do you ?"
oh, i do believe | could go every
night" said Margaret, fervently.
They're n hard set, Maggy," said
her lover, Il little malice in his voice.
How do you know Are you sure
OF that 7" she asked, eagerly and re-
provingly.
oh, they're generally thought to be g.
Well, goodnight, Maggy;"' and he
had gone ten steps before It occurred TO
him that they had parted without Il
kiss.
:" don't care" he said, sullenly, half
aloud; land that fellow stays at her
uncle's tavern, too; Why should it net
tie me so, anywayw
Now Margaret and her cousin Anne
were almost as inseparablc as sisters. 1t
was with quick beating heart that the
former took her way TO the tavern next
dav, meeting Anne as usual ut the pri-
vate entrance for the family
ooh, Magr cried Anne, her eyes
sparkling, you've made conquest
What do you mean?" asked Mar
garet, her fair face flushing, her pulses
beating tumultOusly.
Why, you know-last night. Oh,
lSn he glorious! !-eAq ulSlteF And only
think he asked papa who that very
lovely girl was in pink ribbons in the
second seat-and that was you! Papa
laughed and told him his niece, and
somebody else said something very
handsome about you at the table, and
then papa up and said you were engaged
to Charlie Vance, which sounded so
ridiculous. And l give you my word OF
honor the gentleman turned pale"
" Nonsense" said Margaret; but the
ilattering words had accomplished their
work, and it was not hard to persuade
her to stay to dinner, where of course
her lovely blushing face did not little
execution.
Well, Maggy, what is it to be?"
asked Charlie Vance, sterLly. This was
only week afterward. All the soft.
ness had gone out of his face as hesT oke
His eyes had lost their gracious, spark,
ling beauty. 1T might be that hi:
cheeks were triile thin, and certainly
his dark face was haggard.
Oh, Characteristic stood on tn,
other side of the spacious hearth, droop
ing and timid, her face very white, anC