The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1880-10-13

quiet way, smiled at his quaint way of
telling adventures, and was highly in
terested in his description of foreign
courts.
She thought him certainly a very ac-
complished, fine young English gentle
man, but whether she would view him
in the light her parents wished her to
regard him was wholly another thing.
But Sir Richard was not hasty or
ardent lover. He wished to do things
as they should be done, according to
to go through the ordinary process of
courtship, the pleasant flower clad lane
which leads to matrimony
Edith met his attentions with gentle
indifference, though she appeared al
ways glad to see him, and apparently
preferred him to ali other open and
more obvious suitors
The baronet and his wife looked on
with smiling satisfaction, and already
in their minds eye saw their daughter
Lady Merton, in one of the finest posi-
tions in the county.
The time wore on, and the period
came for the LonCon season. Sir
Richard had town house, which was
kent up in the old style.
The young baronet was nothing ifnot
hospitable, and liked to see his table
groaning under what he called good old
English fare none of your French
kickshaws" and nonsense.
Though he had travelled he was purely
and simply English in his tastes. His
mother prided herself on this, and con-
| tinually drew his attention to how little
Edith sympathized with mis- feelings.
She was dainty little bird, and loved
! the tempting delicacies which are offered
| by the learned cuisines Of foreign parts
She was not partial to English customs,
and cared not for any of the holiday
frolics and dances.
Now it happened that, apart from the
| physical objection, grounded on the flu
ture health of her grandchildren, Lady
| Merton was. very fond of Edith; she
was therefore good deal with her, and
they had many long interviews. Sir
| Richard looked upon these confidential
meetings with some jealousy.
Was his mother setting this beautiful
| girl against himP Well, the Young man
was too proud and too naughty to in
quire into details Of these meetings, but
| he soon dete rmined to bring matters to
a climax. Matter-of-fact, rather stolid
| in his nature, Sir Richard was proper
| til nately dogged and obstinate in his
Il
| with devotion which was made up OF
the ardent lover and the paternal pro-
| 1ector. He looked upon Edith as a
| pretty child who required to be petted.
| humored, and taken care of, to be
| treated tenderly, nurtured with care.
| At last, however, he came to the con
/ clusion that he had hesitated long
enough He would propose, and have
the matter settled.
1t was after a dance. Edith had been
the belle of the evening, and, like many
other delicate girls. was not going to be
beaten in dancing. We have known
young ladies to whom a mile walk was
particularly obnoxious, dance eight or
ten hours without complaining.
Edith had been dancing with certain
young naval officer, a new eligible, q
Lieutenant Spencer Baker, of excellent
family and likely prospects. but still q
totally unfit person to set himself up as
the suitor for rich baronet's daughter
and heiress.
But both her father and mother were
playing cards, and she ventured to risl
one dance. But when she concluded she
happened to see that her mother wal
disengaged, and gave the lieutenant {
hint to that effect. He at once walked
away, and Edith strolled slowly to th'
conservatory, hoping that ne might b
able to follow her to this somewha
secluded retreat.
She seated herself underneath an um
brageous palm tree. Her thoughts wer
far away. At this moment firm, com
manding step WI heard, and she looket
up anxiously. A faint flush covered he
face. 1t was Sir Richard Merton ad
vancing with considerable alacrity t.
| 4 4. ln hnA fnH hn,. al
with other hopes and wishes. Edith go
up a pleasant smile for her rather grav
admirer, and he seated himself by he
side with very serious air.
"Why have you deserted the bal
roomgh he asked, in an earnest tone c
voice. Everybody is lost in SUI
prise"
81 was little fatigued," she rt
marked. 81 have danced-a a good deS
this evening""
$50 have Observed" he went or
quietly; "perhaps more than is good fc
"I think not" she answered, in
p laughing tone. &C am very fond {
dancing; il does me good.".
3 81 am glad to hear it," he smilingl
= responded, 1T shows that London diss
t patton does not affect your health"
, mot more than most people," 81
e said, thinking the remark rather an cd
Z. one for a lover to make.
r He said nothing in answer for one m'
ment, rejecting deeply the while. 4
], last he spoke out,
) "My dear Miss Lechmere, he sal
# kindly, 81 have very important con
munication to make to you. | had il
5 tended deferring it until the end of II
e season. but see so many moths lutte
ing round the seductive light that C;
e defer my words no longer"
y Pardon me-" she exclaimed, in
d frightened way, "but l do not undo
9s stand"
u "My dear Miss Lechmere," he we
on, kindly, yet loftily, - l had hop
d you would. From the evening VIII
IS first l saw you my attentions have be
N marked enough. My love has groy
with my growth, and strengthened wi
I'd my strength, until can no longer Ike
I'd nv sentiments concealed, Edith Leo