The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1882-03-08
MISS TILTs NIECE

ct wish very much / could do any
thing" eaid Ted Murchison. "I will
go up TO London on purpose, if you
like, and cali at your house. But don't
they write TO ycuT
"They think it better not. They
would let me know if there were any
thing fresh to tell. have to console
myself wi h the proverb, No news is
good news"
Cecile Redding spoke with ring OF
sadness in her voice, aud for a minute
her gray eyes looked misty as she
turned them away. Directly after she
glanced back at her companion and
laughed merrily.
"What is the matterp' asked the
young man, somewhat taken by sur
prise, and looking quickly first on one
side and then the other, with the ex
pectation OF finding some cause for her
amusement. There was nothing to be
seen but the smooth lawn with it's neat
flower beds, the high laurel hedge, and
the brown gate, half open, as though in
readiness for his departure.
His astonishment only increased the
girls merriment, so that it was some
minutes before she could answer. While
they were standing thus in the porch a
dogcart was driven by, its occupants
being the village doctor and his groom.
The former looked hard at the little
group in the doorway, half raising his
hand TO his hat, but Iefraining on see
ing that he was unobserved.
"I beg your pardon, said Cecile, re-
covering her gravity; 2" but you do look
r. Vo,,r ooak ss oOxyaroI xysf l.
green from the woodwork, and You we're
putting on such II sentimental express
bion."
81 wasn't aware that to have u few
patches of green on ones clothes made
one 80 irresistibly ludicrous. 1t would
be much more practical and sensible tc
offer to give me brushing before go.
His ill-used air caused Cecile's mouth
to curl again as she shook her head.
"I daresay it would; but you ought
to have learnt by this time not to ex
pect anything practical or sensible from
me-"
ST expected nothing, Miss Redding
Candidly, l never knew what to expec
from you. When / am inclined tC
sympathize with your troubles you shu
me up by laughing in my face, and i
venture on joke you look as solemn
us if l we're preaching you a sermon.
"Your Jokes are very, very bad," sht
said, naively; "I think L should prefe
the sermon"
"You're always down on me-" saiC
Murchison, in a mock despondent tone
sit is fortunate your aunt is more mer
ciful."
Won't you come in again?" SAT-
Cecile, ignoring this speech. 4" Yo1
must be quite tired of standing"
Is that hint that you wish me t
go p
to do" she answered, laughing agair
k"What on earth can you have to do
A novel to read, Isuppose p
"Perhaps," said Oecile, calmly.
"Then goodbye for the present.
shall look in again this afternoon, as
rather want to see Miss Tilt. You thin
she is sure to be in p
"Oh, yes auntie never goes OF
twice in one day."
They shook hands, the young ma
holding hers rather longer than polit
ness required, and then the gate swun
after him, while Miss Redding n
entered the house with q heightene
color
She went into the pretty little dining
room and sat down to write lette
which took long time through h
stopping every few minutes with IL
end Of the pen pressed against her SO
under-lip, lost in thought, and Il
writing forgotten. More than once 81
smiled and colored consciously, thouG
there was no one to see or note nc
we'll she looked with that flush in b
fair cheek.
Cecile was one of those girls whom
severe critic would set down as deci
edly not pretty, though under favoril
circumstances she often seemed &
Her complexion was very fair, with
blush, peachlike bloom upon it; b
eyebrows by 40 means Wel marked b