The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1882-07-19

"I was going over on the other side,
OF an errand, but can give you little
time. It's early yet"
They strolled along together for
moment in silence. Rick noticed that
Stephen Norcroft's face had grown pale
he seemed tired--yet strangely ex'
cited. Perhaps it would be better II he
himself were to speak fist
"Splendid weather, is not itP The
picnics and ehildren's parties will be
coming on with rush il this holds"
"Picnics ? Oh, yes As was saying,
there is something wish TO tell you,
Sheridan. 1 want your opinion, tool
But first You must promise not to laugh
at me. No matter what l say you are
not to laugh mel Do you promise ?"
"I certainly will not laugh at You"
answered young Sheridan, with smile,
hiding good deal of wonder as best he
could.
"Well, then, look at me now. Look
shRrpP Stephen Norcroft pushed the
thin locks OF soft hair back from his
face with nervous gesture. "Do you
think, looking at me just as an outsider,
you know, do you think look so very
old? II You did not know would you
think my years 30 very many"
The young man stared at him in
sheer, blank amazement.
Old-why2
off it were not for my gray hairs
now l-do they look 30 very gray, Sheri-
damn the shadow one would scarcely
notice their being gray, would one? ? and,
aside from that, I scarcely show age,
sometimes. Ehr
He spoke SO eagerly, he looked 30
mnch in earnest, so piteous that young
Rick pitied him; he pitied him with all
his generous, passionate young heart.
"Age-gray hairs Why, believe
I've got gray hairs myself. I'm sure i
should not be surprised any morning to
get up and find my brown wig turning.
They don't count-just few silver
threads. And as for years, you are as
young as any of us, old fellow ]
should not put you now at more than
"Never mind that" Stephen Nor.
croft interrupted him, hastily. "I've
not told you the whole story yet.
don't know why 1 trust you speaking oi
this, but do trust you. Aside from
my gray hairs there is nothing of the
look OF age about me, and if-if l, Low.
ing young girl, beautiful as the day,
one refined and sweet, if ask her to be
my wife-my loved and honored wife
J would she, looking at these" little
hesitation here as he put thin hand ~
10 those poor silver threads, 30 beauti
tIil cid he but know it. "would she, de
on fancy, looking at these, scJrn me?'
"Ah ~ Rick Sheridan drew a long
breath. His own handsome, clear
goung face had changed slightly with 9
Startled, white look. "Ah, that's it.
is itP"
"Mind, you know, this is no sudder
thing" The older man put his hand
with an eager expression, ON the other
shoulder. "I have known her q Ions
time. I've watched her and seen hel
in all her moods. She is good anC
gentle and sweet-one who makes yor
think of ministering angels. When
ring the bells down yonder / imagine
the great notes take up her name ant
carry it up, upl 1 can hear them say
Gamma Mamie - NAnnette - swee
Anne, sweet Anne Pevcival y
"You are speaking of Miss Percival?'
Rick's voice was cold now, his eye
hard and looking fxedly straight ahead
at is an old mans fancy, just ar
old and childish mans childish fancy,
Stephen went on, not needing him. "Bu
I could make her happy. would onl.
live for her, Rick. If she would be m,
wife, my little light of life would sool
burn out. An. old fellow like me can
expect to live SO very many years longer
and 1 would leave everything to her.
have money! could make her rich
You didn't know that, Richard p
''And it would only be for a littl
while with me-" he went on, eagerly
piteously pleading his age now as he ha'
plead for youth before.
"You think women are 80 mercenary
then" said Rick, with his eyes still
cold and hard. "Do You imagine tina
love, or even devotion, can be bough
with money!
MercenaryT-the gray haired love
seemed to wake up out of dream
{ 'No; don't think that of her, but sti
! it has weight. 1t would not seem g
) much as if she were throwing her life
VI bllo bOSb y CoAo VI Az AWAY LhOA
would be some recompense. She coul
. do good with money, and she thinks {
Z that always. Look here r. he opene
5 his coat and took out of it a spray {
3 lilac. "She gave me this not an hou
r ago. 1t is fading now; she said
! would fade soon, but her look, he
: smile, her gentle, happy voice as sh
spoke-the memory of those can nevt
/ fade; 1 shall carry that to my gray
with me-just the memory of a youn
n girls lovely eyes smiling at me acrol
i a bunch of lilacs."
: "Good-byel 1 think must go now,
= said Richard Sheridan, roughly.
j. was getting intolerable-thiso old man
dream of love, told with such hapI
confidence as if there could fall I
# shadow upon it. Let him select SON
n other listener, if listener was all l