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 II was a
strange mixture of deep pity for her and
, deep Joy, tempered with pain and vet
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, I had carried her about in nv
arms, like child, and she had leaned
on me and looked up to me with child
ish confidence and trust that was nm
speakably sweet to the lonely old
bachelor whose attitude toward this
young girl had seemed to touch his ace
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. l 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, 81 wanted
to give him the JOY of the surprise"
"And if" said, reluctantly, elf he
should not be here, OF anything, have
you not money to return ~
" But he Is bound to be here: nothing
like that could happen. And if he were
away 1 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 lovel
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 was to find her lover and send
him to her
1 saw her safely seated in her little
parlor, and then, as it was early morning.
l ordered dainty breakfast there and We
ate it tete-a-tete. L don't think either
had much appetite, though 1 taxed nv
| wits to the uttermost on the menu and
had even given lavish order for flowers.
L tried to think of everything that
could give her pleasure, for I
felt almost certain of a impendin
! calamity and 1 looked again an 4
again into her sweet face trying to
fix its look of happiness in my miIld.
And she was happy! Her voice was 10Y
GUS as a lalks and her face as radiani as
day. would fain have fingered a while
to bask in this bright sunshine but she
was feverishly impatient and eager that
should be gone. I think she grudged
me the boon of seeing him first, for she
made me promise that 1 would not tell
him OF her presence, but bring him back
with me under some pretext if l foun
him well, 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 went up to
her and took her hands in nine lola"
[ said, whatever lies before you.
nhObhSI JOJ VI SOIIONs remember Tl1t
you have me always for your friend. You
must rely upon me as you would upon
your paused and then said-"father."
1t was an effort, but forced myself to
say 1t. 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 l reached the house, the address
of which Lola had given me, L inquired
for her lover-he was gone. The woman |
who kept the house could give no infor- |
nation except that she thought he had |
gone West.
was unfeignedly distressed. In that |
moment 1 rose above self and thought |
only of Lola. How shall 1 describe the |
scene that followed my announcement to |
the little creature? The heart-rending |
grief, the wild denial of her lovers |
faithlessnessl She utterly refused to
believe it. She would far sooner, she
said, think that he was dead After her
first outburst of passionate grief was
over, she calmed herself and said, stand
ing up: 81 must go away; 1 must not
stay here"
The sight of her agony almost killed
me.
"Oh, Lola" 1 said, "where ?"
She flung herself back on the lounge
with a 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" 1 said. "Face the
worst. 1t is bitter thing to say, but I
believe he is false to you 1 believe the
illness was feint, and 1 believe he is
willfully lost to you. Ny 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. will not
leave you, and you shall tell me Just what
you would have me do. / will take Won
hall Ia Gronir, e .ror. 49, Il = -