The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1881-04-06

though the name of the house he repre-
sented was familiar But that went for
nothing as to the mans personal charac-
ter, and the fear that this might be
treacherous made me sick with dread.
What would be the end, if my appre-
tensions proved correct? What would
become of the poor child? A wild
thought suggested itself. 1t was a
strange mixture of deep pity for her and
deep Joy, tempered with pain and yet
sweet with hope, for myself
At last the voyage was over, and the
realization of this fact made me unac-
countably sad. For Lola was dearer to
me every day. In her little attacks of
illness, which she had not altogether
escaped, had carried her about in my
arms, like a child, and she had leaned
on me and looked up to me with child
ish confidence and trust that was un-
speakably sweet to the lonely old
bachelor whose attitude toward this
young girl had seemed to touch his age
and world-weariness with magic wand
that had made them drop from him Like
a garment.
Lola and l stood together on deck, all
our bags and parcels strapped and ready
for moving. She had not told her lover
she was coming, and of course he would
not meet her. reproached her for not
having telegraphed, feeling strange re-
luctance to go and hunt him up; but she
answered simply that she could not af-
ford it. All her money was required for
the voyage, and, Besides" she added,
quickly, blushing like rose, ST wanted
to give him the Joy of the surprise"
"And it." I said, reluctantly, "if he
should not be here, or anything, have
! you not money to return ~
"But he is bound to be here; nothing
like that could happen. And if he were
away should wait till he returned. I
have no money to go home if 1 should
want to, but there's not much danger of
my wanting"
Heavens! what trust, what exquisite
feeling, what beautiful belief in love
And if he should prove unworthy
When we stepped ashore, Lola and I
got into carriage, which L ordered to
take us to hotel. She let me arrange
everything just as 1 chose, and we had
agreed to go together to the hotel, and
then I was to find, her lover and send
him to her.
! bbW uoI safely bcdb6Q III her l1Jtlo
parlor, and then, as it was early morning,
I ordered dainty breakfast there and we
ate it tete-a-tete. [ don't think either
had much appetite, though taxed my
wits to the uttermost on the menu and
had even given lavish order for flowers.
1 tried to think of everything thai
could give her pleasure, for
felt almost certain of q impendin 9
calamity and 1 looked again an
again into her sweet face trying to
fix its look of happiness in my mind.
And she was happy! Her voice was 10y
GUS as lalk's and her face as radiant as
day. would fain have fingered while
to bask in this bright sunshine, but she
was feverishly impatient and eager that
1 should be gone I think she grudged
me the boon of seeing him first, for She
made me promise that would not tell
him of her presence, but bring him back
with me under some pretext if l form
him we'll, and return and take her to hir
if he was i'll. In either event, she had
settled it in her mind that they were t.
be married that very day.
When was ready to go I went up tc
her and took her hands in mine. "IIola, u
1 l.
whether Joy or sorrow. remember that
you have me always for your friend. You
must rely upon me as you would upoI
your paused and then said father ,
1t was an effort, but 1 forced myself tc
say it. Then, before leaving, stopped
and kissed her sweet lips. 1t was the
first time and would probably be the last
and valued it as people do value what
can come to them but once.
When reached the house, the address
of which Lola had given me, inquired
, for her lover-he was gone. The woman
Z who kept the house could give no infor.
nation except that she thought he had
gone West.
1 was unfeignedly distressed. In that
moment I rose above self and thought
only of Lola. How shall describe the
, scene that followed my announcement to
the little creaturep The heart-rendinp
grief, the wild denial of her lovers
faithlessness She utterly refused to
believe it. She would far sooner, she
said, think that he was dead. After her
Z first outburst of passionate grief was
over, she Gained herself and said, stand.
ing up: Il must go away; must not
stay here"
The sight of her agony almost killed
me.
| "Oh, Lola" said, "where?"
She flung herself back on the lounge
r with motion of utter despair. went
( to her and threw myself on my knees
, beside her and folded both her tremb-
} ling hands in mine.
"Lola, be brave" said. "Face the
worst. 1t is bitter thing to say, but ]
believe he is false to you. 1 believe the
illness was feint, and I believe he is
( willfully lost to you. My little darling
' it is hard / know, but not so bad as ifyou
had married him and found it out after
, ward. But do not despair. 1 will moi
, leave you, and you shall tell me Just whai
you would have me do. will take you
! back to Spain if you want to go.p