The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1882-12-06
TIONEs74. Pa, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER G. 1882

dignity.
" Yes, yes, of course. But there is
such a thing as advice. Mr.. Peters is
our good friend, but is he a suitable
husband for you?"
" What is there against him?" she
asked, unainchingly. She was not
blind to her lovers bodily imper-
fections. She had lain awake all
night mentally endeavoring to straight
en- his crooked limbs and control his
recreant orb. But with daylight they
had dawned upon her as uncompro-
missing as ever.
But George would not stoop to per-
sonalities. "Nothing," he answered.
quietly. "Only we have looked yerv
high for yon. We want you to be
happy"
Then do not speak against Mr..
Peters" she said, in a way that seemed
to dismiss the subject.
George betoo'l himself to his own
room, and Lewis took his place by
Agatha 81 suppose 1 am to congrat-
ulate," he saij with a careless disre-
gard of Na,n.a'5 iniunctions.
" You don Jseem very enthusiastic"
responded his sister, calmly, recalling
his secretly~heard exclamation upon
first learning the news.
" l can't help it if L don't" he an
swered, half impatiently. "You know
how proud we are Of you, Gath, and
we can't be expected to think any man
good enough"
She smiled.
He went on recklessly: "I don't be-
lieve you knew what YOU were doing.
You don't love Peters, you only pity
him, just as you used to pity the sena-
tor and all ltherest. This crooked little
curmudgeon! Why, he is older than
George, and cross-eyed-"
She sprang up in rage: "Lewis,
you have said quite enough. Never
speak to me again. | forbid itp'
Then she sought her own chamber
and threw herself upon the bed.
Mamie came to her after awhile
" My poor darling! Why are you feel
ing so bad?"
Lewis has been saying such awful
things!'
And are you quite sure you have
made no mistaken"
"Quite sure?"
She arose and arranged her toilet;
Mr.. Peters was to come that evening.
He arrived early. Mamie endeaY-
ored to be gracious, but excused her
self, leaving Agatha to her lover, the
boys having both gone out. And
Agatha, with Lewis cool criticism
still ringing in her ears, felt as if in
dream. Fortunately Peters made no
inquiries as to her brothers opinions Of
the marriage. Miss Mamie had con-
graduated him as though all was salts
factory.
Agatha accepted his alteration quite
pasSvely, and at last, when he had
gone, retired to her own room to pity
him, and tell herself how much she
loved him.
But as the winter slipped away the
engagement was announced, and, hav-
ing remained unbroken, Agatha's
brothers even began to feel quite re-
signed.
The quiet, intense devotion of Nor
man Peters was touching. He wor-
SHIPPED his betrothed; to him she was
4 very goddess.
"If," thought Mamie, with soft
ened regret, If he were only not quite
so small If he were only a half inch
taller, to be of even height with Aga
tina!
Meanwhile Agatha was fretting her
self to death. a thousand little heart
less sarcasms and glances of ridicule,
to which Peters, in his great happiness,
was utterly obliyious, were constantly
her. Night after night she
passed in wakefUl agony, the idea Of
the engagement never once
occurring to her. She Was sure she
loved him, and she realized the depth
Of his devotion. She endeaYored to rise
above morbid sensitiveness, telling her
self that people would cease their cruel
waySREhen they saw that she was de-
-ern led to stand by him. But she
yrewthin, and her face wore a hunted
expression. Mesdames Becker and
Fortescue now began to circulate petty
little stories about her-ingeniously
constructed, but untruthful romances. |
Nothing very bad, for Agatha was a
woman to whom no doubtful mist
lung for moment; but whispers Of |
'coquetry," "girlish folly" and " last
'esort," which were blown from lip to
ip on the dubious breath of friendship,
,ame at last to veX the ears of the |
Forsters. Agatha only grew more
)ale. Stormy Lewis, however, one day
confronted Miss Fortescue in the hall |
before his sisters room.
81 can tell you, madame, that you
must discontinue your talk of my sis
er," he cried, angrily.
Agatha came out. "Oh, Lewis,
lear"
He took her by the arm. "Go back,
Iath. I've a matter to settle with
his lady. She knows what mischief
he has been trying to work, and l in