The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1882-04-12

lowering outside the door, face of
mute, reproachful wretchedness, and
her heart smote her. Slipping from
mammals side, she made her way to
poor Harry, and put out her hand.
Do forgive me, Harry" she whis-
pered. 81 was perfectly horrid, and
am ashamed of myself; but you don't
know how much had to vex me this
evening. Shake hands, and let us be
friends again, just as we used"
Under the gentle pleading eyes
Harry's rancor and misery melted in q
moment, and "hope sprang eternal" in
his breast, for "just as we used 1"
meant great deal more to him than to
Elsie. He nearly crushed the small
peace-making hand in his vigorous
grasp, and Elsie went back smiling and
relieved, only to meet another hand, a
terribly expressive pressure, a pair of
eyes bent upon her from an immense
height, and to hear the fervent murmur,
Tomorrow, early tomorrow, 1 shall
see you. Till then good-by, and God
bless you, Elsie, my best treasure p
Elsie grew white as ghost. Really ?
Was tomorrow really to bring this
dreadful fate upon berP Had she
promised without knowing it Gould
nothing save her?
Elsie Elsie 10 cried somebody,
and Elsie few like the wind out of the
room. She had no courage left to face
eyes and questions. "Where on earth
can the child beP" queried Mrs
Baird, perplexed and annoyed, as the
last guest departed. "Robert, please
see if you can find her, while L attend
to having the house shut for the night"
Roberts eyes were keen. He had
watched the futtering exit, and went
straight to the piazza. Nothing was
visible at the first glance, but little
sob smote upon his ear, and making
one stride to the darkest corner he
lifted upa poor little white heap, and
saw Elsie's face wild and wet with
tears.
"Elsie. darling child, what is the
matter ?'
"Oh, Robin, Robin dear do take
care of me-" cried Elsie, hiding her
face in his breast. "Don't let that
| hateful man come tomorrow and tell
mamma that like him. I never did;
| hate him."
"What man? Don't cry so, my pet.
Nobody shall tease you so long as I am
alive. What man was it?'
"Oh, you know-the man who sent
me that ridiculous bouquet"
Harry Blount ?"
"No, no." cried Elsie, with half
hysterical giggle. "He did it too. Bot
l soon made an end of him. It was the
other horrid creature-Mr. Forsythe,
you know. He declares he'll go to
mamma tomorrow, and she'll be so
displeased with me. He'll tell her /
said 1 would marry him, and it's a
story. I never did, and hate him and
his church and everything about it.
Oh, what shall 1 do?"
"Tll settle that young man." replied
her cousin, cheerfully. "And I'll talk
to mamma. So don't fret any more,
little heart. So you had your wish to.
night, Elsie--four bouquets and an
offer"
"Two," corrected Elsie, with sob;
that ridiculous Harry"
Cousin Robert laughed aloud.
"Oh, don't piteously. &c 1t was
all so horrid But / am quite COM
Portable again, now that / have you to
take care Of me, Robin dear. There's
nobody like you. If had only had hold
of this good old coat sleeve all the even.
ing none of these unpleasant things
would have happened. Oh, Robin, do
devise some way so that 1 need never
go out of your sight again. I hate being
a young lady. Offers, indeed AS il
any man in the world were worth your
OF mammals little finger Can't you ar
range il so that need never have an
other offer, RobinT
Robert stopped suddenly and kissed
the little upturned face. "There is
this way, darling" he said; "Tll make
you an offer myself, and if you say
Yes no one else ever shall"
care you in earnest Do you really
mean that ? Isn't it Just because you
feel sorry for mep For really and truly
though never thought of it before
this is inst the one thing in the world
1 should like"
"Do you really mean that, my dar-
ling ?" cried Robert, unable to believe
in his good fortune.
"Of course do. There never could
be any one in the world for me to care
for as do for you. 1t is Just perfect
Mamma and you and 1, on and on, as il
has always been, only thousand times
better"
Five minutes later and Mrs. Baird
appeared on the scene. "What is the
matterf" she exclaimed, in peremptory,
agitated voice. "Elsie, how you look
Are you ill?"
Sit down, Marian" said Robert,
holding out a warm, brotherly hand,
but by no means unloosing the little
clasping arms of his newly won treasure.
81 will tell you all about it. This
poor little thing has had horrid time.
She never wants to go to another ball,
nor to church either. She has had four
bouquets and three offers; she has ac-
cepted them all, and now she doesn't
know what to do. So the long and