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

Yet she could not drive away her
harsssing doubts, nor would she try TO
set them at rest By speaking to Tom.
She was shy and sensitive and so was he,
and they were both very proud.
Eva Nofcross found her new home
very quiet but not unhappy one. She
was gentle and timid, and did not care
for the society of girls Of her own age.
She liked nothing better than to lie in
an easy-ohair all day with q book or
some embroidery in her white pretty
hands, which Miss Martha was never
weary OF admiring. The dead mother
had INDUCED her child, and never taught
her TO make herself useful. There was
no need for her to be active in the cot
tage. At the outset Miss Martha had
told her that she would be required to
do nothing but study, Hannah being
fully competent to do the entire work
of the small establishment.
"You must educate yourself to teach"
Mrs. Marsh said, one morning, as she
entered the cottage in her abrupt way,
and found Eva embroidering o cushion.
"You can't live on Miss Martha all your
life. Next fall we will try to get you
into the district school at Dodd's
Corner"
Eva shuddered and grew a little pale,
while the work fell from her hand.
''I have heard that the children at
Dodd's Corner we're very rough
with the last master" she said, in her
low, soft voice.
"a woman might have more influence
with 'em than a man." said Mrs. Marsh
"Any how, it won't burt you to try it q
spell. Miss Martha" as that lady came
in from the kitchen, where she had been
making "quaker" for old Mrs. Green's
cold, ''you must get the doctor to give
Eva some strengthening medicine.
Yellow dock tea would put new life into
her"
DR.. Edgecourt called that afternoon
for Il moment, on Lis way to make a
professional visit and Miss Martha told
him what Mrs. Marsh had said.
The young man sat down by Eva and
took her hand in his. Miss Martha
watched him closely, wonder ng il he
noticed how round and white was the
wrist on which he pressed his finger.
"She is not siok," be said, call she
needs is fresh air and exercise;" aud
then he proposed that she should wrap
mp and get into his sleigh at the door
and drive with him to the house OF his
patient, two miles away.
"Cant YOU go too, Martial" he
asked. "We will crowd you in some
where"
ST do not care to CO." she said and
Tom thought her manner rather Geld
and depressing. He did not urge the
matter, for he was easily wounded, and
never asked her q second time to grant
him favor. He was not demonstra-
tive lover, perhaps because Miss Martha
never encouraged caresses. She did
not think il modest or womauly to do
so, yet she often caught herself wishing
that Tom would be more affectionate.
They had been engaged for three years,
but had seen comparatively little OF
each other, owing to Toms studies and
poor patients - of which there were
mauy-and they had never grown ia
mihar, as is the case with most lovers.
Miss Martha watched the couple drive
away. Tom bent to arrange the buffalo
more closely about his companion, and
said something which made them both
laugh, and Mss Martha turned quickly
from the window with n pain at hel
heart. The girlish face framed in the
feecy wool OF the black hood was SC
very lovely Would he mark the differ
ence, and regret"
She took mp her work and began to
turn down hem but she could not
drive away the haunting thoughts which
tormented her.
"Three years r. she murmured. at
is long engagement and have heard
il said that men are not patient walters.
/ wonder II he las ever wished to be
free again p
The ride proved OF much benefit tC
Eva, who was brighter aud gayer fol
days after. Seeing this, Tom took hsi
with him frequently, never thinking
that he was causing his betrothed pair
by so doing. He came oftener thar
ever ta the cottage, playing chess ant
cribbage with Eva at the center.tabla /.
the evening, while Miss Martha sat with
her sewing, aud wished she were Eva
age.
"Do You think 1 will stand an,
chance OF getting the school at Doddi
Corner next fall, DR.. Edgecourt 2
asked Eva one evening.
"You surely don't think of applying
for il r. cried Tom. "Why, the children
are little heathens. They throw inl
bottles and spit balls at TIE teacher
and swear like troopers. No, no, VI
must not let you go there"
Unjust work for myself" the cir
said. 81 cannot consent TO remain de
pendent on any one"
"Wait till next fall comes before yoJ
begin TO worry" Tom said. "It is onl.
March now, aud something better ma,
turn up for us all in the next oil
months"
Eva, as was her custom, left the ROOF
as soon as the game Of chess was over
Tom always had few minutes alon
with his betrothed before leaving tn
cottage.
] II L., a