The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1882-01-25

This reflection on my cherished treas.
ur9 mortally offends me, and / trudge
on In sulky silence for block, but Jack
is so contrite that am m ollified long
before we reach Mrs. Babbitt's cheaI
boarding place, which is my only home.
We stand few moments at the gate.
The snow-fakes are falling thick and
white on jacks shoulders; one or two
drop like gentle kisses on my uplifted
face.
"It's more than polite, it's extremely
kind OF you to come all this long way
with me, jack" 1 say, earnestly.
IL only wish there was something ]
could do for you in return"
''There is something you can do. I'll
tell you all about it soon. Good night,
darling" He presses my hand and is
gone.
enter the house, rush up to my lit
tie carpetless room and fling myself
down on my knees, my heart beating
wildly to the music of those last words.
forget that am friendless orphan,
alone in u great strange city: forget
the humiliating fact that am forced to
give my voice in exchange for my daily
bread, while all the rest OF our choir
are generous volunteers; one happy
thought excludes all others-Jack has
called me darling!
1t is 10 o'clock next morning before
l remember the existence Of any other
man. am practicing at the miserable
ruin which Mrs. Babbitt calls piano,
when that lady enters the room, bear
ing Mr.. Arlington's card and big box
containing q magnificent bouquet of
rare exotics.
ga servant in livery brung 'um," SAYS
Mrs. Babbitt, sourly. ''Them there
flowers must cost all O. five dollars"
"Thas makes it ali the better i' l say,
gayly, meeting her hard, cold, suspi-
cious eyes with an untroubled laugh.
Why does she dislike my getting such
a lovely gift?
By the end of the week their glorious
color and fragrance has succumbed to
the icy atmosphere of the parlor-my
own room is verify the Arctic Zone it.
self. To my delight the offering is
repeated on Friday. This time Mrs.
Babbitt merely fings the box on the
piano, and stalks out without word. l
look after her with wondering eyes.
+" Poor old thing how she envies
me " l say, ccmpassionately, and bend
ing over the mass of bloom in perfect
content. Mr.. Arlington appears to me
the most thoughtful, generous gentle
man in the world.
am not surprised to find him at the
rehearsal Saturday evening, and when
he asks to be allowed to sec me home
acquiesce readily. Jack looks so hurt
and angry that | hurry across to the
little closet where he is arranging the
music books.
"Jack, couldn't help it. I did it
out of pure gratitude. He has sent me
the two loveliest bouquets 1 ever saw"
"And what would you say If asked
you to receive no more flowers from
him ?"
81 should say you were jealous /"
answer, promptly.
solve, I warn you as would Sis
ter" he says, very gravely. You will
be compromised"
Compounded ?" 1 repeat, vaguely.
"Yes it seems horrible that people
should talk about poor little innocent
baby like you-but they will r.
ISfeel rather awed for moment
then | say, blindly: "Ah, well, it
doesn't matter so long as my own con-
science is clear p And go back to MI.
Arlington and we set out.
1t is such an odd sensation to be
walking with any one but Jack ! Some
how the distance seems longer than
usual. When we reach Mrs. Bah
bits my escort asks permission to
come in and get warm, and cannot
refuse, though l blush for the shabby
parlor, where ice cream wouldn't melt.
But Mr.. Arlington apparently sees
nothing amiss and remains for a pleas
ant half hour.
AS i go up to my room I meet nv
landlady in the hall she scowls and
doesn't answer when 1 bid her good
night That woman grows uglier every
day.
Next evening Mr.. Arlington is again
at church, but Jack whisks me away
with him Immediately after service.
p" The funniest thing happened to-
night" 1 say, as soon as we are in the
street. "You know how stout Mr..
Mesmer is? Well, Miss Woodward
handed him paper Tom Thurstone |
gave her, supposing it was the list of |
next Sundays music. Poor Mesmer
looked at her ali the evening in the
most heartbroken, reproachful way
and no wonder for Tom whispered to |
me it was an anti-fat circular !'
Jack pays no heed to this entertain.
ing anecdote, but opens fire at once.
"Olive, Arlington went into Mrs.
Babbitt's with you last evening""
Chow do you knowY"
" dare say you will think it odd-I
followed you"
Odd 1t was underhanded, ungen-
tlemanly of your 1 say vehemently.
'And If he came in for few minutes
it's more than you ever cared to do"
solve, dear Olive" he says, in a
tone of keen reproach, sis there any
thing l should more enjoy than spend
ing a quiet happy hour alone with Won