The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1882-05-24
An Unexpected Disclosure.

She had been christened, it appeared,
Margaretta Caroline Livingstone; bat
all this magnifcence of nomenclature
had contracted itself into the least pos.
sible of diminutives-"Et
This Et was girl who came to board
at Mrs. Gordon's when Vincent and
Laura and l had been there about a
week.
She arrived one rainy Monday, with
half dozen trunks, an invalid aunt
and hinge black Newfoundland dog,
whose acquaintance made almost i'm
mediately, after my usual fashion with
all and sundry Of his lovable race and
species.
II was, in fact, through his friendly
mediation that ] became so soon on
friendly terms with his little mistress.
When she saw him so ready to lay his
paws on my lap and nestle his great
head against my shoulder, she seemed
to think that no other introduction
was necessary.
Love me--love my dog" It would,
think, have been almost impossible
not to comply with the terms of this
Injunction as applied to Et and Hugo.
There was something pitifully sug.
gestive of the need of human love and
companionship in the clinging fondness
OF the girl for her dumb friend, who, in
turn, repaid her with a loyal worship
that wonId shame the depth and breadth
Of most human devotion.
In one attribute, however, his love
partook largely of human weakness
he was rather jealous of his pretty
mistress. But this fact did not dis
cover until there arrived upon the
scepe handsome, indolent young man
-Et's cousin, three times removed
who came lounging up the'gravel walk
one sunny morning, and bowed him
self lazily into our midst.
Miss Livingstone-Aunt Nettie, as
they both called her-received him
with curious darkening of her brows,
but with quite pleasaAt ( audible greet
ing, and Et's blush was lovely to look
at as his hand closed over hers.
Hugo, | noticed, retreated instantly
to the further end of the veranda, and
seemed trying to politely repress invol.
untary growls.
" This is my cousin, Roger Braide, ("
Et hastened to. present him. Miss
Pyne, Miss Nora Pyne. Mr.. Vincent
Gale"
He bowed our several. acknowledge
ments and Vincent instantly elaborated
a remark on the weather, with which
Mr.. Braide brilliantly agreed by saying
Yes, and sinking in fAtigued man
ner on the nearest chair.
He appeared so bored to begin with,
that / quite wondered he had taken the
trouble to come to Meadow Farms at
all.
That afternoon, when Mr.. Braide had
taken theaunt out riding to Shelterville,
Et found occasion to give me little
overflow of confidence.
Her heart seemed very full, not alto
gether of pleasurable emotion, although
] could see quite happy light deep
down in her innocent hazel eyes.
She had dressed herself in a lovely
pink-and-white organdie, with knots of
chocolate ribbon, and looked as pretty
and picturesque as girl could wish to
look who evidently had given some
thought to the subject.
Your cousin has come to stay some
time, 1 SUPPOSE I remarked, by way
OF opening the ball.
We we're walking up and down the
pretty, quiet country road, over which
the shadows OF the elms and naples
were lying in great cool patches, Hugo
blinking at us sleepily from the gate
way as we paced to and fro.
at think he will stay while. 1t is
his vacation now. OF course, l had
written him a good deal about tho
place, and how much we we're pleased
with it, but / did not suppose he would
come so soon and so unexpectedly
And Aunt Nettie does not like it bit.
"But you don't share her feelings
in that regard" said, smiling.
" How do you know?' she asked
quickly, with a simplicity that was re
frsshing, her face blushing like wil6
rose. "Do 1 show my Do seen
to be interested in Roger2 We have
been together all our lives. He is lik'