The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1881-05-04

y
the habit Of doing such things" she
said, hotly.
Just then her mother entered. She
did not look much older than her daugh-
ter, and they were both handsome.
Mrs. Burdett had not seen her host
before. They had been landed at
his door the night previous by the stage
driver, and had not learned until the
coach was beyond recall that it was q
private house, and not hotel.
The housekeeper had given them any
thing but q gracious welcome, saying
that the drivers had habit of doing
such things, and adding:
Howsumever, Norman Lamar will
be right glad to see you. He likes a
housefull of folks. He don't have to do
the cooking, you see."
Mrs. Burdetts apology for their in
trusion savored Of this reception. She
expressed regret that they would be
obliged to treBpass until the stage re-
urned that evening, then formally in
troduced herself and daughter. His
welcome was full of simple hospitality ;
then they went out to breakfast.
Soon after he bade them good-morn-
ing, saying it was q very busy time
and he should not return until afternoon.
He had only been gone few minutes
when light wagon, drawn by two
spirited grays, stopped at the door, and
the young man who drove them came
in to say that Norman Lamar had placed
them at the ladies' disposal for the day.
That evening when their host re-
turned Mrs. Burdett met him at the
door, thanked him for his kindness,
and said that her daughter and herself
were so charmed with the place they
would like to remain and board for a
week. He regarded her with his great,
meditative blue eyes for moment, then
smiled.
"I would be glad to have you stay
for ever, if it pleased you; ; but we
don't know anything about board out
here, and don't propose to learn"
Mrs. Burdett admired his hospitality,
but she looked displeased.
"Then we shall be obliged to leave
st once. The stage is about due. We
cannot, of course, be dependent upon
an entire stranger, no matter how gener-
GUS his invitation"
1t had been pleasant thought to him
all day that these two ladies were in his
home. That they wanted to stay gave
him keen sense of pleasure that
such a little thing should hinder made
him impatient.
81 would moo touch woman's money
for bit of homely fare, assure you" :"
His voice indicated his mood then
suddenly, he broke into free, ringing
laugh.
off you will not stay without, pay my
housekeeper; but let me warn you, Mrs.
Harden is woman of the shrewdest type,
and when she makes a bargain, as
Shakespeare says, she 'Cavils on the
ninth part of hair so look out for
her." and he touched his hat and left.
Zaida had listened to the conversation,
sitting just inside the window.
"He is as generous as a prince p said
her mother, enthusiastically, as she
entered the room.
The girl laughed.
81 feel somewhat as if we were Sabine
women, and had been captured for good
and ALL" she said.
"Zaida, what makes you say such
NIStulu1 OhllSS OihaPS NO hNi pCOISA
not stay !"
Mrs. Burdett looked disappointed.
"Of course we will stay. We haven't
had anything so interesting before, ever.
Just think of it To live under the ROOT
of bonanza king and board with his
housekeeper
"Of course it will not do. The way
you put it shows it clearly" said hen
mother.
How silly you are, mamma Gomez
and the girl started to leave the room,
Where are you going p demanded
her mother.
"Why, to the kitchen, of course, tc
conclude our bargain with our land
ladyl" gayly.
did / ever see so perverse a girl =
remarked her mother; nevertheless she
linked her arm in her daughters, and
they went out to the kitchen like two
school-friends.
Mrs. Harden was over the fire, stew
ing potatoes in milk. She looked hot
and hustered. She few about to gel
them chairs, and seemed very uncom
Portable and put-to by their coming.
Mrs Burdett hastened to explain
the object of their intrusion.
The housekeeper stirred the potatoes
and shifted the pan as If she would
never stop. At length she said, with {
gasp, as if all ont of breath:
"That's like him, for all the world
I suppose it'll look awful mean in m'
to take any board, but if you won't stay
without, and you want to stay real bad
what's body to do?"
Mrs. Burdett assured her that it wa
the only way in which the difficult,
could be adjusted. She seemed re
lieved, though not whit more com
posed, then made her bargain in a
shrewd a manner as Norman Lamar hao
foretold. When it was concluded sh,
said, apologetically;
"You see, I'm obliged to appea
close, because I've got poor, weakl,
family dependent on me. They liv
over yonder. Norman Lamar gave M
4 IL Al, 1,