The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1881-02-09

CHAPTER II.
The sun cast q cheerful light on the
hOp-garden as each merry maiden stood
at her bin working away, assisted by
her knight, for it was unders God that
such as, at six o'clock, showed an un-
filed bin, should be rolled in the bin to
fill it.
Jenny was assisted by her new flame,
the gentleman farmer, and very merry
they were at their work. Dolly, on the
contrary, assisted by VIII, was far from
merry. They bent over their poles
thoughtfully; at last Will breaks the
silence, saying;
6 Miss DraytoB, is it true that you are
engaged to a gentleman in LondonP"
The hop-poles disregarded, they stood
face, to face, Dolly looking vexed and full
| of trouble as she replied:
No, certainly not" and her pretty
face flushed IS she added: 6 never had
q sweetheart in my life."
'Thank God for that" said Will.
+" don't think it is anything to be
thankful for" smiled Dolly; it hes
been rather a matter of discomfort,
assure you, for / am nearly nineteen.
Now we are upon personal questions,
may ask If it is true that you are en-
gagged to JennyP"
" engaged to Jenny! No, certainly
not. 1t is not the first time / have been
charged with the like bad taste. Who
was your informantP"
Never mind," replied Dorothy, 81
have promised not TO tell, 50 don't vex
me by trying to make me break my
word"
Indeed, dear, 1 would not do so
mean thing. Ones given word count
as golden bondage.
Il should not love thee, dear, SO well,
Loved not honor more
And / do love you, darling, with the
one, that you return even a little of the
true affection bear to you. Will you
come to me, Dorothy, as my wife, leav-
ing behind you the wretched depend
ence that breaks my heart to see you
sufferP"
He held out his hands entreatingly as
he spoke, and, after one swift glad look
into his honest face, Dolly, with little
cry of rapture, placed both her hands in
his, saying:
al love you, Will, and shall be glad
to belong to you; were not yours /
should be none others. / love you so.
My darling said viii, "you have
made me the happiest of men alive.
Now, to crush this scandal which has
made pain for us both, / shall publish
our engagement this day at ten, and in
vite our guests to the wedding, which
must take place next month, darling, or
we shall have no holiday"
"You decide everything" said Dolly,
without. so much as saying by your
leave, madam ;"
you'll never have your own way
again, pet, after you are really my very
own, so make the most of your month
of grace. Now to work, sweetest, or
according to contract l am bound to
duck you in green hops, and SHOULD
not like to see my wee wife in so undig-
nified position"
Half an hours hard work and VIII
called out:
Time, gentlemen, time"
Then followed a mirthful scene;
many an indolent lady exhibited her
frilled petticoats in the hops, alter fruit
lessly endeavoring to escape from the
chase of the sterner sex.
Then, in freer spirit, they made their
way to the mill. an old ramshackle
place, now at its best and brightest to do
its visitors honor.
In one of the largest rooms tea was
prepared, Wills aunt acting as hostess,
for he was without nearer ties 1t was
a jocund meal, and at the close Will
rose, and announced his future wife,
Dorothy Drayton.
At first a dead silence greeted the
toast, during which every one looked
inquiringly one to the other and then at
Jenny. who sat white as death, and in
deed as ii turned to stone.
Then all at once decided cheer rose,
that was doubled when Will invited
them all TO the bridalon that day month.
Upon this the little party broke into
little gossiping groups, and while the
men and girls separated to make final
preparations for the dance, Jenny drew
near to Dorothy, saying;
You said you would ike to 60 below
to see where the water works the big
wheel. I'm going there now, will you
Gomez want to speak to you pri-
vately.D
She placed her hand through her cous.
in's arm as she spoke. but Dorothy
shrank back, looking into her face in
quiringly.
q You need not be afraid OF me, snap.
ped Jenny, savagely. Are You COM
ingfn
res, II you WISH II, SAID Dolly,
though her heart quaked with fear while
she spoke; but she was ashamed of her
cOWardice, and allowed her cousin to
lead her down over the green stone steps
to the plank platform below. II was
an eerie place in the gloaming. Down
below the deep water ran as klack as
night. A little shuddeT shook Dollyis
slender form, and she said, entreatingly: +:
- .TonnV let's On hack fba nlaoa faalo
like a grave.
docs itF" said Jenny, indifferently.
Il don't feel It !" then in an altered
tone she said, turning fiercely upon the
trembling girl beside her, in a harsh
tone Of deadly anger; SIS the news
Win surprised US with after tea trueP"
For one weak moment, born of fe
Dolly, looking into the dark face bes
her, leaned to the side OF falsehoOd. then