The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1882-09-13

marked, "that ne Should never nave
married"
"He is not easily charmed" Val said,
with laugh and suggestive look at
Miss Lulu. "The woman who wins him
will have great triumph"
These we're the entering wedges, Val
said to himself, and he deliberately laid
In ambush for occasions to drive them
deeper in.
1t was not "disaRreeable task, he
found, for Miss Lulu was q charming
listener; and there was something so
novel in it that it was more diverting
even than Irritation. He did a great
many things on Stephens account which
he wouldn't have dared to do on his
own.
It was quite delightful, indeed, to
ramble through Welwyn Woods with
such companion, for he felt 30 much at
ease in her society, having already set
her apart in his mind as Stephens wife.
And there was peculiar charm in the
long afternoons on the lake, when he
looked so persistently at the fair face
under broad Legborn, and reflected
that this was to be his cousin.
SO the days went gliding by, and Miss
Lulu was courted, as Val said, "by
proxy" He had kept his promise to
Stephen, pouring into her ears the most
glowing accounts OF his merits, the
most piquant recital of his doings, the
most winning reviews Of his wit.
Miss Lulu Listened apparently in
wide.eyed wonder, and Val wrote at last
- I1r -, ID Dnla
OF course it was understood that
after that he was to leave his cousin in
full possession of the field, but some
how he was not at all pleased when Ste.
phen made the very reasonable sug-
gestion that he should go away from
Welvyn Woods altogether. In short,
he went back to town in q very unsmia-
BILE mood.
Everything was exceedingly dull just
then, and Val was like a fish out of
water. There was nothing to do but
81 sit around" as he said, and when
ever he undertook to do that he fell to
thinkina of things that made him IN.
accountably savage. He began to wish
ne never had gone down to Redner, for
it was evidently there that he had alb
5orbed the germ of this unrest. 1t was
,ome time before he knew what was the
mater with him, and when he did he
continued to oppose the conviction
It was too-too too much like retribu.
ion that he should have fallen in love
With Miss Lulu.
He went about in very miserable
rame of mind, though, hsggRrd and
oetulant, cursing everything and every.
body, but Fate and himself most of all.
1t had rather startling effect upon
nim when Stephen burst into his room
one day in very ruffied state,
"Confound you, Vail" he exclaimed.
I knew you'd get nae into difficulty !"
"What's the matter~
"Why, I followed your advice to
the letter, and what was the conse'
qrenceT
you're engaged to Miss Lulu, I
suppose ?"
"EngagedP The deuce She re-
fused me on the spot. And-and some
confounded meddlesome old busybody
has gone and told her about Uncle
Harvey. I haven't the ghost of
chance I"
"Thank God |"
This fervent exclamation rather stag
gered Stephen, you may suppose. He
started at Val's white earnest face, as
though it had been phantom.
"Well," he said, slowly, "I-must-
ssy-you're fine fellowl"
Val had jumped up hastily. He went
toward his cousin, and laid one hand
heavily on his shoulder.
81 say, old fellow" he said in
husky voice, you're not hard hit-are
you2 Because l am, you see. i
wouldn't for the world go back on you,
Stephen. You know that. If it makes
much difference to you, won't think
of it, butt love Lulu Welwyn with
sll my hearth"
Stephen stared hard at his cousin,
but not unkindly.
"If I didn't know you so we'll, VAL"
he said, presently, "Td knock you
down."
"I know" Val replied, "it makes
me look like scoundrel but, before
God, Stephen, I didn't mean it,"
Stephen took several hRsty turns mp
and down the room, and then grasped
his hand.
"It's all right, VAL" he said COR
daily, "She wouldn't have me, any
how. 1t don't make so much differ.
ence to man of my age. God bless
you, boyl Go and win her."
Val needed no second bidding. He
was back at Welwyn Woods in two days
time. Bnt he was bent upon new
purpose. He would win Lulu for him
self-yesl But only on condition that
he could not win her for Stephen.
She met him in the library, but not
with her old cordiality.
"I have a singular errand, Miss
Welwyn," he said, hurriedly, striving
to conceal his emotion. "My cousin
tells me you have refused his offer of
marriage"
Lulu flushed slightly, but gave dig
nified assent.
"May l ask" he went on earnestly,