The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1881-03-02

Rod III goin for that, as be used up
good bottle Of my Frangipani in his
slat incantation."
And a little dark, brilliant-lookine
creature, in black gauKe and amber.
huttered in, and stared rather supercili-
ously at Gertrude. She. reminded our
heroine somehow, of some brilliant
South American insect, there was SO
much flash and color about her.
| her cnly real beauty was in her eyes :,
which were large, intensely black and
snlning, but also, at present, a little
malicious; for Francia Dormer took in
at glance Gertrude's beauty, and she
was not yet secure of Eric Chumleigh's
| heart.
She nodded carelessly.
The Roverness, supposeP Come,
Eric, the count is downstairs, and
wants to consult you about something
whether tomatoes will grow in
saxony, l believe. He has learned to
dote on them, and wishes garden of
them around his CASTLE"
Eric took leave with a polite bow,
and Rod, who had been silent for the
space of five minutes, said:
4 hate Francia Dormer. She's d
snaker'
Gertrude kept the irrepressible ones
quiet till their tea time with her inven-
| tions. She had some talent in that line.
and felt glad and relieved to find that
she held most potent weapon to be
used IN her new kingdom.
Rod had really an active mind, and
she won him by her praise; Nina fol-
lowed bis example; and when he found
he could gain the pleasure of hearing
story by diligence, he began to apply
himself.
Eric said the children were growing
so tolerable he quite enjoyed looking in
on them once in q while; to which Rod
replied: What makes YOU look at
Miss Gertrude all the time, then ~
Gertrude blushed, and began to feel
uncomfortable about the visits.
sometimes Gertrude was requested to
come down in the evening to play, and
then she saw Bertha and her betrothed.
The elder sister was too busy just now
to look into the schoolroom. Her in
tended, Won Arnheim, who was an
officer in the Prussian army, was q
rather stolid-looking German, with
scant blonde hair, good natured blue
eyes and a. beaming smile. Bertha was
sallow, but had fine dark eyes and
dazzling white teeth.
Sometimes Francia bestowed her
company and confidence on Gertrude;
at Others she assumed naughty and dis
tant airs. She delighted in outre
toilets, T0re the most wonderful COM
binaticHs, Rlowed and glittered like
some rare tropical bird. So the months
vent on ofthAt winter, and the wedding
day drew near.
How do lookP" exclaimed Francia
one night as she opened the schoolroom
door. GoodP hoped the imps were
in bed. Heavens and earth how / hate
children! l pity you, Miss Winthrop!
| suppose you dream of an escape some
day !--some fairy prince will open your
prison with golden keyw
No; | expect nothing" answered
Gertrude. Il am trying to cultivate
the spirit which Tennyson eulogizes
" Not to desire or admire is better by far
Than to walk all day like the sultans of oldin
garden of spice."'
go away, Francia Dormer," cried
Rod. from the next room. "You keep
me awake with your chatter. You're
worse than nightmare"
"Oh, you angell are you awakeP"
cried the girl. "Then goodbye. Miss
Winthrop. Comfort is at an end. You'll
have the house to yourselves tomorrow;
we're off on an excursion, all of us. The
snow is just right, so hard and white
bahl what poor fire you have" And
she disappeared.
She has everything" thought Ger
trude, beauty and fortune" (she had
heard fabulous accounts OF Francia's
estates in Cuba), "and she will win
Eric at last-who can doubt itP"
Still Gertrude. remembering certain
words and looks, did doubt il in her
haarf Thu naxf Y1ant.xatno xuho,. a.
party Whirled away and she saw Eric
tuck IN the sables about Francia, and
heard the CHEEKY sound OF their voices,
the old schoolroom looked very cod
and barei and she took up the dogs
cared history very absently.
Enter Betsey with note and bouquet
cream white camelias, blue heliotrOpe
and crimson bOuvardia.
Sure they was both left thegither,
but they're not after belongin' theeither,
as the post-by brought the letther I"
Gertrude dropped the history and
gloated over the flowers in deligh She
had never owned a bouquet of h> nse
flowers before, and then she NJ
whose kind heart had remembered her
when all the others were absorbed in
their own pleasure IL seemed as If
they would make the whole day fra
grant. She had almost forgotten the
note.
There was only one person in the
world to write to her, so she opened
the note leisurely as those do who have
little to hope or fear. But as she read
she started anxiously. Betsey had not
lett the room.
"Oh, l must 60, she said, decidedly.
g shall have to give the children holi-
day; ] shall have to leave them in your
care: My aunt is very sick and alone.
l viii return this evening if 1 can ar
range things. You will explain to Mrs.
Chumleigh if am not here.n
Sure and / wull that. said the girl
good-naturedly, and a holiday will dc
the young wons good"
"Golly, a holidayl" cried Rod. in
great ecstasy. "Oh, I've got a famous
planr'
"No michief." said Gertrude, any
iously; i" shall thinb of you"
"Oh, Wen be quiet; you'll be go
al.II .tr.4a. ~ 4 ~. Il