The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1882-08-09
81 daresay 1 shall like him." replied

not except IN friendly way, and tbats
Just why asked him up while you were
here. The fact is you are very similarly
situated. Jack has not gotten over an
unlucky love affair, and il I had him
meet some irl who would have fallen
in love with him it would have been q
bad thing for the girl, as it would be a
bad thing for any man who Ishould in
vite and who would fall in love with
you. As it is, you and Jack are both
Invu lnerable 20 the tender passion, and
can be tne best Of friends accordingly.
HoG will get on nicely, and yonr visit
will be less Of bore than il would be
in the solitary society Of an old woman
like me"
A little later Jack Travers came upon
his aunt and asked: "Who is this young
lady you have with you, dear aunt"
Some one," was the reply, "whose
heart is full Of a memory-though,
really, why she should still think Of
that brute of man who treated her
so outrageously is mystery to me-
and who not only will not expect you to
fall victim TO her charms and begin o
filtration instanter, but would think
anything Of the sort great bore. So
you need not exert yourself"
"IndeedP That's comfort. But
what singular GIRL" and il he had
spoken his mind he would have added,
"and what beautiful girl, too," for
just then Maud entered, having laid
aside her travelling dress and thick veil
for long dinner dress of pale blue,
which showed to remarkable advantage
the brillisncy and the piquant charm of
her face; the warm fairness OF her
skin, and the light glossy brown Of her
soft hair.
Miss Hamersley's explanations to both
her guests had the effect of putting
them thoroughly at their ease with each
ther, and the dinner was a gay one.
by the time it was over they had dis
covoJ ed that they had many ideas in
common, and many points of sympathy.
The long June twilight had not yet
faded, and Miss Hamersley suggested d
that her nephew should take Miss Bar
row TO the parapet to see the view.
For" she said, al can't 60 about
much, and you must entertain each
other.
The view was extended, for the Ham
ersley plsce stood high. Jack Travers
leaned against the parapet, while Miss
Barrow looked around her. Suddenly
sha glanced up and caught his eyes
fixed on her.
81 often think what delightful exist
ence your aunt's is in this place." she
said. "There is such a harmony in
it. She fits the place, and the place fits
her"
my amt is a charming woman. 1t
is pity she never married"
"a pity. 1 don't see that her condi-
tion as it is could be bettered. If she
had married she would have run the
chance of getting some obstinate man
with not thought in sympathy with
hers, WHO would have been putting
down his foot eternally and making her
life bore"
"You don't take Il sentimental view
of marriage" remarked Trsvers.
"No. lam not sentimental. Perhaps
am hard"
Travers glanced at her, with the black
lace she had thrown around her head as
q protection from the dampness cling.
ing about her soft, piquant face and
white throat, aud thought she did moi
look so.
But Mics Barrow did not seem in
clined to pursue the subject further
She turned TO 90 back to the house. In
doing so she brushed her fan from the
parapet. Trsvers stopped to pick itup
and noticed that it had large meta
ring attached. Instead of laying it II
Maud's outsuetcued hand he slipped
the ring over her wrist. The wrist wal
very pretty, aud so was the hand, anC
Travers experienced O subtle pleasurC
in performing this familiar little act
He glanced up quickly; but the young
lady's eyes were averted.
The next morning Travers proposed
to take advantage of the cool, fine day
for horseback ride. Miss Barrow wa
willing, and a couple of hours latel
they were under way. The roads were
in good condition, the air was exhilarat
ing, and Miss Hamersley's horses Were
capital. The color came into Maud'I
cheeks and her eyes shone like stars
AS for Travers, it did not seem to hin
that he had ever enjoyed such a rid,
before. By-snd-bye, however, be said;
"Don't you think we had better turl
back, Miss Barrowl 1t may be to'
much for YOU"
"Oh, 1 am not tired. I am thirsty
though"
Travers looked around him. 9"
think I could get you a glass of water a
that little house on the top of tina
slope, but 1 don't like the idea o
leaving you alone
"Oh, shall go, too. 1t will be
change from riding" said Maud. "Yol
can tie the horses here"
The climb proved to be a roughe
path than she had imagined, but sh
would not be persuaded to take Travers
arm.
"No, no." she laughed, and steppe,
quietly to one side. In doing SO sh
stumbled over her habit and uttered
little cry of pain.
AIieo Rarrow xpbak Ia tho uoatfar 2