The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1882-03-08

"The box will not be cleared for an
other hour. You shall go if you wish
it, but first give me absolution for what
I am afraid you think my impertinent
interference"
"I will attribute it to fatherly in
terest in my welfare" said Cecile, with
half smile. ct know you too we'll
really to resent anything you may
choose to say"
EDO I, then, seem SO very old?" he
asked, rather nettled.
Thus appealed to she gave critical
glance at his tall, well-proportioned
figure, and dark, earnest face that
might have belonged to man of thirty
or even less.
"Cecile, am I too CID for you? l
am only thirty -four'afref all l can see
you have never thought Of my asking
you this-never thought of it while
I have thought of little else since I first
saw you p
He stopped, and silence fell between
them. Gould anything be more dis
couraging than the blank surprise that
greeted his speech? Sutton Parry felt
it more quenching than decided mega
tive.
Your face answers me, child T. he
said, sadly "but let me speak little
more plainly before the subject is at
an end-for the present l love you
dearly would do anything on earth
endure anything for your sake! Give
me yourself, Cecile, and you shall never
know a care from which 1 could shield
youp
&, D.o-1 ,,,o~- oo1z No ,,oora 20 NaoiIa
interrupted. "The more you say the
more ungrateful I feel. I wish l had
never come here. could mott wish
could say yes y
She looked pale and distressed, and
stood before him like culprit, steal
ing troubled glance at his face, its ex-
preston affording her anything but
consolation.
There was silence for space; and
then Parry lifted his eyes to see her
dash hastily away couple of tears that
were on the point of falling.
"Don't do that" he said, quickly.
"Don't grieve it can't be helped.
might have known. You are quite
sure-ycu never will care for me,
childY
A decided shake of the head was the
only answer, and he took her hand to
look earnestly into her clear eyes. Then
relinquishing it with deep sigh, stran-
! gled in its exit from his breast, he said,
quietly:
Goodbye, then. But if you should
ever think differently promise me that
you will be honest enough to let me
know. Don't let false modesty part us,
Cecile, for / shall never change"
Cecile went home in very dissatis-
T., fed frame of mind. For the ensuing
} days Sutton Party occupied far
, greater portion Of her thoughts than
J Murchison; not even in her sleep could
> she shake herself free from the intense
) look that had seemed to read her very
soul when she stood before him.
{ " wish 1 had asked him to give me
week to think it over" she said to
| herself sometimes.
A fortnight slipped away, and she
I never saw him except at a distance,
and then ore morning came the news
, that he was very i'll with low fever.
Cecile had been looking hollow-eyed
! and anxious lately-a fact of which Ted
' Murchison was perfectly aware, and
4 the credit or blame of whi,h he took to
himself with secret satisfaction.
Miss Tits housemaid, being engaged
v to the doctors groom, was constantly
!. supplied with information as to his con
dition, and from her Oecile heard such
n accounts as made her very uneasy.
r The doctor was, in fact, seriously i'll
+ A neglected cold and general careless
: ness with regard to his own health, il
combination with mental trouble, had
i compelled him to give in and take to hi
n bed. He forbade his housekeeper tC
call in other medical aid, and prescribed
for himself without much beneficial re
It suit.
ed And now the belief was growing oil
him that he should not recover. Id
had given orders at last for the practi
d tioner of a neighboring village to b'
}, called in, and awaited his arrival, too
n weak and helpless to shake off tn,
morbid feelings that oppressed him.
a As he lay thus his door-latch clicked
n but he did not turn to see who entered
e A light foot came softly to his side, ant
lr there stood Cecile in dainty whit
T. apron, with plate of jelly in her hand
v "I have come to practice nursing,
she said, with little shake i'll he
voice. "May II"
7 "Cecilel You can't mean"
h She set down the plate and kneeleC
h by his side to shyly slip her soft arr
It under his head and draw it on to he
breast.
sr Forgive me-" she whispered, with
vivid blush, 81 did not understand my
It self"
"a
le She was returning home toward ever
II ing having promised to go again on th
succeeding day when Ted Murchiso
1 overlook her.
I They shook hands cordially enough
" for Oecile had used every effort to a.
AZ pear no different to him lest he migl
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