The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1882-04-12

It was finally settled that all the bou-
quets should lie together on little
table, and that Elsie should give each
an airing in turn during the evening.
With an inaudible sigh Robert
Baird watched his darling as guests
arrived, and the music began to sound
from behind the camellia screen, The
soft round cheeks he loved grew roster;
the sweet, delighted eyes glowed with
excitement; Elsie, his pet and treasure,
was fairly launched on the fair but
treacherous sea of society, and sense
OF loss and deprivation seized his
spirits.
The old homestead, of which he was
Joint owner, had never looked upon a
prettier scene. Outside, the moonlit
piazzas were sweet with honeysuckle,
the gardens beyond twinkled with
Chinese lanterns, across the soft dusks
and shadowy vistas forms in white fit
ted, gay laughs broke the dewy silences.
Dear little Elsie had done the honors
prettily by mammals side; but now the
tide of incoming guests slackens. Some
one offers his arm. She is going off to
dance at last, thinks Robert. But no;
the young rector is surely not q dancing
man. On his arm, his flowers in her
hand, Elsie vanishes. And Robert, with
a face which is little cad and not a
little savage, turns away, and spurs
himself up to his hospitable duties.
1t is very good of you" said Mr..
Forsythe, softly, as they gained the
piazza, to give the first dance-time to-
me. 1t is better than anything else
could be to be here in this starry silence,
under heavens arch, and with your
Elsie wfs much awed and impressed.
Was this the way in which Clergymen
talked to young ladies How nice it
was She had been a little afraid that
he would ask her about her soul, and
Elsie did not know much about souls as
yet.
Still, she was practical little damsel,
and having gazed upat heavens arch" :"
and seen only the piazza roof, she ven-
cured to say: "Didn't you ever care
about dancing, Mr.. ForsytheP"
He looked down serenely at her from
his height of six feet two, but did not
,eem offended with the question-only
sanity which Elsie noted with relief.
"Not very much," he answered,
gently. "And my time is so full of
other and graver duties that it is small
matter of regret to me that the church
has set the seal of her disapproval on
,uch pleasures in the case of her Or
dained servants, whose life work is, or
should be, solemn and engrossing."
Is there really law against dane
ing, thenY asked Elsie, timidly.
Not for such as you. TO fair
young life like yours such amuse-
ments, when partaken of in modera-
tion, are natural and harmless. And
for myself there are many compensa
tions-the privilege of ministering to
the aged and sorrowful, of sharing
their joys and consolIng their grieis,
and, sweetest of all, the close relation
which bear to my flock"
Elsie murmured an assent. She felt
little as though she were in church.
Still, it was undeniably gratifying.
"Yes," continued the low, fervent
voice, /" it is a world of contrasts! This
evening I am here sharing in this scene
of gayety amid all that makes life en-
joyable. This afternoon 1 spent by the
bedside of dying woman, glad to fold
her tired hands and rest after the
burden of life, even though she left her
children to struggle on alone. hope
was able to support and strength"
"Oh," interrupted Elsie, "that must
have been poor Mrs McOrawl Is she
really dying? How sorry ami Mamma
is going to take one of the children to
keep as our housemaid, and she hopes
to get little Jenny into the Home. Oh,
am sorry Mrs. McCraw is dying on
the very day of my partyP
"Yes, dear Miss Baird, it is world
of contrasts. as 1 said. Death and life,
sickness and health, poverty there,
luxury here, and heaven over ALL"
81 am so sorry" cried Elsie, bewil-
dered. l cant help it. aL young
and happy, or [ was before you talked
So" she added, with a little pout.
"But don't forget that there are
sick and poor people, and mamma
never does. She is as good as she can
be to them; really she is, Mr.. For
sythe."
"Indeed, dear child" in a tender
! tone, ST know it well. Your mother is
one of my precious helpers and friend s;
and I would stake my life that you, in
your maiden bloom and happiness
which heaven forbid 1 should in any
way seek to shadow-will also give
yourself to every good and holy work.
I have watched you grow up under my
eye polished stone of the temple, and
no fairer vision has ever been granted
to cheer my lonely life. And Elsie, "
he added, still more softly, there is
no hope so dear to me as this-forgive
me that speak of it; cannot refrain
the wish is too near my heart-that in
the future, which seems at this mo-
ment so near and so fair, you may for
ever lean as now on my arm. Suffer
me to lead and support you. Come and
brighten my home with your lovely
presence, and be to me the best gift
that God ever bestowed on man."