The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1882-06-28

rs he reached the hall door, that my
brother Arnold is coming to Roseville
tomorrow. He has some affection of
the head and wants to put himself un-
der my care for month or two. He
will leave his law business entirely in
his partners hands. Poor Arnold He
has other than physical troubles |
There's an old saying that women are at
the bottom Of all mischief, and men are
such fools sometimes Goodnight,
Msrthaj" and the hall door closed
loudly.
For some minutes Miss Martha stood
where he had left her, one hand bear
ing rather heavily on the small hall
table. Gould he only have known what
stress she laid upon his careless words
She mechanically repeated over and
over the last sentence he had uttered,
and remembered the bitterness OF his
tone. Then she walked slowly into the
small parlor again, and dropped on her
knees by an easy.chair, burying her
face in the soft cushions.
g l am no longer young" she said, in
a hoarse voice. "He sees his mistake,
now that Eva is here to point out
comparison. And yet how can 1 give
him upl How can 1 offer him his free
dom? Could live on without the hope
that held so close to my heart for
three yearsp But must decide. Not
now. will wait, just little while, to
be sure he has ceased to love me-"
Eva noticed that Miss Martha was
very pale and district the following day,
and was not looking her best when
| 111 10
call. She had never seen this brother
before, but he was so like Tom in every
way that she liked him at once. He
was, however, more man of the world
than Tom, and while Toms face wore
look of frank good nature, Arnold's was
clouded by an expression Of melancholy
aud discomfort. This Miss Martha as
cribed to those secret troubles of which
Tom had spoken, and she wondered if
some woman had jill ed the handsome
lawyer.
Several weeks passed by, and Miss
Martha was no longer her former
bright, cheerful SELF She did not know
what it was to be without that sharp
pain at heart, end the estrangement
between herself and Tom seemed to
grow greater every day. He withdrew
more and more into himself, and she
made no effort to restore the pleasant
re ations between them. She watched
him closely. and saw that he seemed
annoyed and distressed at Arnold's de-
cided attentions to Eva. Once she
heard him demonstrate with his brother,
but Eva's name was the only word she
caught distinctly. She thought Tom
jealous, and afraid that the girls heart
would be won from himself.
at must come,' Miss Martha would
murmur to herself. 81 must offer him
his freedom. Why cannot 1 be brave
and do it at onceP He loves Eva, but
attentions pain aud trouble him. But
how can l give him upP Twill wait just
little longer"
Thus from day to day she put off the
evil hour in which she was to see her
dearest hopes crumble to deal ashes.
She shuddered when she thought OF
spending the rest Of her life without
Toms love.
One evening the two young men came
by invitation to the cottage to supper
Miss Martha sent them into the garden
to smoke, while she, with Eva's assist.
ance, was busy lay ing the table with
the best damask and china. Presently,
she went into the parlor to get from thC
old cabinet which stood between the
windows some silver spoons which had
belonged to her grandmother. The
shutters were closed, but the windows
we're open, aud the low murmur o.
voices came to her ears. She knew the
brothers were just outside on the rustic
bench, and she was about to close the
cabinet and speak to them when she
heard Toms voice uttering words which
seemed to fall on her heart like drops
of molten lead.
at is a great mistake for man tC
engage himself to woman older thar
himself. He is sure to repent soon o.
late. was a fool, and now that love
Eva with all my heart, as have con
fessed TO you, / wish the other was il
Guinea. And what am 1 to do? NJ
honor binds me to her-confound i
alll"
Miss Martha did not wait to hear
Arnolds answer. She walked SLOWLY
, aud falteringly from the room, and wen
upstairs to the spare chamber, wher'
) sue locked herself in.
The young men wondered why sup
| per was so late, but just as their pa
thence was entirely exhausted, Eva came
to call them, ahd then. went in TO find
! Miss Martha already seated at the heat
: OF the small table laid for four. Sh'
made no excuse for delay, and the sup
I per was so excellent that the young men
forgot all about their vexation.
A The evening passed very quietly, Mis-
. Martha evidently making an effort to b'
. entertaining; and seeing this, Tom and
Q Arnold left very early, the latter, a.
Miss Martha noticed, having hardly
/, spoken to Eva since supper. She thought
: this was out of respect for his brother
a feelings, which had 50 lately been re-
vealed 10 him.
= TIL next day Tom was surprised in