The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1880-09-08

Had he been no suitor for her hand she
would long ago have admired him.
His indomitable power of character, his
rock-like determination, his strt ng, un-
conquerable will, were merits which
under other circumstances could not
have failed in striking her woman's
eye.
Women like strength in a man far
more than beauty--it appeals to their
dependence; and no greater CONT ast
could possibly be made than existed be-
tween the persons of Grantly Thornby
and William Beckett. The first, muscu-
lar in person, some would say almost to
roughness; but that could never be.
Mr.. Thornby was gentleman, and
what would have seemed heavy and
uuweilding in some, sat upon him with
a glance which only well-bred man of
the world could acquire. The other,
effeminate to the last degree-pretty,
soft, womanly features; soft, white,
lady hand, tender blue eyes; light hair,
living in little rings around a forehead
which looked as if the sun had never
shone upon it; delicate, slender frame,
tapering off with foot tnat Cinderella
might have envied, and you have the
picture of William Beckett.
Adelaide was thinking of it now, and
contrasting it with the sturdy form, the
bold features. the large piercing eyes of
Grantly Thornby. She was thinking, too,
she wished William had little more
manliness about him-at least enough
to make some exertion for livelihood.
She looked very pretty sitting upon
the sofa, in deep thought. her fair hair
falling in waves over her shoulders,
her dimpled chin resting in her small
white palm, her eyes full of gentle, ten
der light, awakened there by her
woman's pity for an unloved man.
Sweet Adelaide! her thoughts were
taking a strangely foreign shape, when
the entrance of her mother aroused all
the antagonism of her nature, and sent
her pleasant images flying to the four
winds of heaven.
"Wellm said that amiable lady,
looking steadily at Adelaide.
| "You have succeeded" said Adelaide
"I have given my word, and now let me
have peace. I've no more to do with it.
Make whatever arrangements you
please, let the sacrifice be complete,
only give me peace"
The mother turned to reply, but
| Adelaide had left the room.
Itwas now in the middle of July, and
twas settled that they were to be married
| in the coming October, that golden
month of the year. Adelaide expert
enced no regret, nor in fact seemed tC
take the smallest interest in the pro
gress of affairs. Mr.. Thornby was con-
slant in his visits, but no common ac-
| quaintance could have been more re-
served or respectful. No word of love
ever passed his lips, no pressure of hanc
| denoted his claim.upon that little pro-
| perty, yet even Adelaide could not helI
noticing that his face in growing
graver was also growing paler; still
| her nature revolted against the enor.
nifty of forcing her into marriage re-
pugnant to her feelings. Had he beer
in love with any one else, no hand would
have been sooner outstIetched in sym
pathy and coincidence. AS it was, she
pitied him, and really began to exer
herself to Danish something of the
gloom which surrounded his life. "I
| wasn't his fault" she would think
"aiter all; he couldn't help it, poor fel
low, and as am to be his wife, may
as well try 10 be agreeable"
From that day the scene changed a
the dwelling of Mrs. Fairfax. 1t wa
an old rambling country mansion il
which they resided, and Mr.. Thornby'
estate Joined theirs. Flowers grew al
about in the greatest profusion, anC
there was large sheet of water jus
upon the verge of the wood where thu
lazy water lilies lay with their whit
leaves all the long summer. To thi
spot Adelaide and Mr.. Thornby made
daily pilgrimage. Adelaide was aston
ished that she had never before discov
cred what an amiable companion her be
trothed was; she rather liked leaninI
upon his arm and looking up into hi
brilliant eyes while he explained to he
some OF the wonders OF nature spreat
before them. He spoke too, of trav
els made in foreign lands; of famou
cities and monuments of the past; o
the wonders of architecture, of art, o
paintings and statues which she onl
knew from prints, but which she ha,
not seen themselves and which in hi
descriptions rose in her imagination ia
higher than tie power of the graver'
art could make them. He pictured t.
her Venice with its silent streets an
funeral-like Rondolas, its gloriou
palaces and churches, its Bridge O
Signs, its secret crimes and jealousies
He spoke too of Rome and what it was
of its walls and ruins, of its monument
and churches; of Milan and of Florence
of the golden Arno and orange groves
OF the treasures of literature and ar
within the walls of the Pitt palace.
Adelaide was sensible enough whe
the romance she had gathered frOr
books was not too powerful for hel
She began to compare the glowing
fascinating descriptions which he knew
so well how to relate, with the silly
whining sentimentality OF her forme
lover, and for that matter lover still, 70
she would have flushed with indigna
tion had any one suggested the idea {
her having turned truant to her frs
love. She never dreamed of such a
atrocity. She liked Mr.. Thornby bt
cause he was so kind to her, 80 carefU
over her, so considerats for her con
fort, but never, no never could he
heart wander from its allegiance to il
first love. And she was sincere in thi
belief. She went. indeed, so far ths
! once when she met William Beckett, sh
told him that had he been a man G
{ mind sufficient to bear up under th
/ misfortunes which oppressed him, la
/ he risen up under adVersity and carve