The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1882-07-12
MY LUCKY HIT.

like changes delight in the un-
known and unexpected, in contrasts and
adventures. / had been ''out" several
seasons, and knew by heart the deadly,
lively routine Of a winter in the city.
Therefore was spending the winter in
the mountains Of Maryland with Mar
garet Hastings.
Margaret had beena 'sbelle, beauty
and an heiress," wife and a mother.
She was now only the last. Her hand
some huet and had carried her away
from her past, worn out her beauty,
spent her fortune, and died in time I,
rave his memory, at least. She shut
herself away from the world to mourn
for him in singleness of heart, and give
her time to his children.
It was something OF surprise whei
she wrote to me, once her intimate, and
begged me to come to her for the mex
four months. She had quietly and
steadily refused all advances for so Ions
that we had grown indifferent to g,
movements. and seldom spoke of her
except to pity her changed fortunes ana
her infatuation. When the letter came
1forgot her rejection OF intended kind.
nesses in the quite selfish idea of some
thing new. 1t was not until saw her,
pale and sweet and sad, that / felt for
her any of the old-time love. and re-
allied there might be more in my life
with her than the mere escape from tire
some sameness or the rapidly waning
pleasures of novelty.
She lived in q small house on the
mountain side-a curious, rambling,
one-storied structure, with an attic, in
which we slept, and odd little porches
between the downstairs rooms, where
they iutted out or Tapped over each
other.
She "kept her carriage''--a light
rockaway-an steady horse and hel
servants, one old woman, half-grown
girl and young man.
Everything around her was neat, bui
plain in the extreme. Society there
was none. The few farmhouses scat
tered here and there along the VALLEY
were only shelters for their hard.work
ing, poorly repaid owners. No one hai
time for mere courtesies or means fol
other than pure hospitality-food anS
warmth for those who absolutely needed
them.
She was the "great lady" of th,
country, and went to and fro in sort o
stately exclusiveness, which enable,
her to devote every moment to he
little ones--a hoy and n girl. a.,
not wonder she had at last grown restive
and reached out a longing hand TO
some kindred touch.
We had q very pleasant time together
1t was SO delicious to do Iust as on
pleased, and take mp only such interest
as one chose. 1 read good deal, ant
walked, and drove and, above all
talked.
There was so much to tell OF m,
world. once Margaret's as we'll. An,
there were some things to hear in th
quiet hours when the depths of on
natures were reached. l began Il
believe, after ali, that 's love is enough,
for Margaret had had that, and minde'
nothing else. She had not been at al
deceived as to her husbands real self
aud did not attempt to deceive me.
They had simply loved each other
each with the best that yas in them
and if his best had been poor enough
it was his, and she asked no more.
Cne night we had an adventure tina
suggested the charms OF Gmore civil
lied state Of society, as we'll as its draw
backe. The children were in bed, tn
servants upstairs with them-the ma
went to his own home at night-and "
were reading in the east room.
The silence was profound. The Yer
fire was noiseless. Suddenly we raise
our heads with one impulse and gaze
steadily into each others eyes.
,sWhat is thatW whispered Margara
after moment that seemed an age.
Some one at the long room wiz
dow, answered, almost breathlessl,
The long room ran of at right angle