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

closed them again without speaking,
while the blood rushed to her face and
then receded, leaving it unusually pale.
"He came directly you had gone. Vi
course people may be rather surprised
at my accepting man so much younger
than myself-but after all age is more
in feelings than in years; and he looks
older than he is"
''Yes," she answered slowly, and
placing her arm about her aunt's thin
figure, she gave her loving kiss.
"I hope you will be happy" she
whispered; then moving toward the
door, she added, "I remember that my
letter is not posted. I'll just run and
take it myself"
She walked down the road with her
head in whirl, and it was some min
utes before she could collect her
thoughts. When they assumed definite
shape Cecile knew that she had been
very near falling in love with Ted
Murchison. So near that just now she
felt as though she had lost something
out of her life, and as though she would
give great deal to be at home.
A dangerous and infectious disease
having appeared in her family was the
reason of Cecile's exile, which had now
been of two months duration. During
those two months she had been thrown
much into contact with Ted Murchison,
and Mr.. Parry the doctor, it being the
latter of these to whom her thoughts
had flown when her aunt announced
her engagement.
"Aunt has nice income of her own,
and I have none," she could not avoid
thinking, though despising herself for
the base suspicion. But he has always
sought me out, and oh how could he
how dare he-talk to me as he has done,
and look at me like that How
stupid 1 have been not to see through
himP'
She walked straight past the post
office unconsciously, and hurried on
with the letter in her hand; but soon
recollecting herself. she turned sharply
and crossed the road.
Too preoccupied to notice the sound
of wheels behind, this unexpected
movement of Cecile's very nearly re-
suited in an accident. She was awak-
ened from her reverie by loud ex'
clamation, and looked round quick. y
to see a horse pulled back on Its
launches, its head having almost
touched her shoulder.
The next minu5e some one had
leaped down, and Cecile found herself
confronted by the doctor. She KEEP
her face averted slightly, lest it should
betray the modification she was feel
ing, and spoke carelessly:
ST shall have you taken up fol
furious driving, DIR. Parry. Your maj
was going to run over me, it seems"
"It was narrow escape" he said
briefly, and waved his hand to th'
groom to drive on. After a pause, b,
continued: CT look upon myself a
your medical man, Miss Redding, sine
L attended you when you first cam
down. That is my only excuse for re
marking on your appearance. Wha
/ is the matter with JouY p
"If anything you ought to tell, saiC
Oecile, laughing.
, "Perhaps I can il you describe you
feelings" said Parry.
i "There is nothing the matter-I an
perfectly well," she protested, adding
| as though the words were forced fror
her, by his searching eyes. 81 am onl
little surprised at some news hav
had"
Nothing bad, hope?"
"No-oh, no. 1t is only that m
aunt is engaged to be married to AIi
Murchison."
Cecile had no sooner said this tha
an uneasy conviction came across he
that she ought not to have spoken on
? so frankly. She had received no pei
. mission 70 make the affair public.
: Perhaps ought not to have mer
toned it," she said, hastily. "Yo
won't say anything about it just yet
3 will you?"
Looking at him fully for the firt
: time, she was startled to see that b
: was deathly pale
e "Oh am so sorry !" she exclaimed
struck with dismay, as she remembers
8 his frequent visits to her aunt's hous,
t "It was very thoughtless of me to te
k you that p
s "Why what do you mean p b
n looked down with an amused smile
L her troubled face, reading it with til
greatest ease. "Don't get it into yoI
d head that this piece of information a
q fects me one way or another. If an,
d thing, it is rather welcome"
d "Then you are i'll p
"No, Miss Redding. The truth is
o nearly ran over you just now, whiC
l. made me feel awfuliy queer, thoug
n you appear to regard it as an incidel
of no importance"
y "Doctors ought to have strong
D nerves |" Cecile remarked, lightly.
!. "Don'tP he said, quickly.
r isn't like you, Cecile 1t is the create
wonder that am not taking you hon
ot seriously, if not fatally, injured ! Dor
oe be so hippant, for heavens sake"
As II will say good-afternoon now, as
have letter to post r. and Oecile e.
tended her hand, anxious to get awi
ID before the tears that had started up