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

but grew all over her head to its natural
length, the shortest part being about
her temples, where it curled and waved
unassisted by art or curl-papers, gleam-
ing with touches of gold shaded into
the darker hue of the rest. Envious
friends admired this becoming growth,
and endeavored to initiate it, with un-
varying ill-success. Even her aunt,
Miss Alethea Tilt, had tried her hand
at it, but her straight tresses absolutely
refused to be tortured into anything
resembling curl.
Before the letter was finished Miss
Tilt came in, accompanied by her friend
and companion, Miss Pelham-a large
lady, with very round, protruding eyes,
and good-natured smile.
"How nice and cool you look, Ce-
cile," said Miss Tilt, sinking into
chair and tanning herself with Japan
ese hand-screen. was 80 afraid we
should meet some one-and my face l
know is flaming |"
"Mr. Murchison has been here" said
Cecile, adding a few words by way of
postscript, and looking absorbed in her
writing, so that she did not see the
conscious way in which her aunt
dropped her eyes on to the grotesque
figures on the screen
"What did he wafEr" Miss Pelham
inquired, as she unfastened the strings
of her bonnet.
Cecile carefully folded her letter in
half, and answered, demurely:
"To see aunt"
"Dear me. How very strange - said
Miss Tilt, blushing.
{" He is coming again this afternoon,
as I told him you would most likely be
in then"
Whatever can he wish to see me
for2 / can't imagine"
Her aunt's tone was so odd that at
last Cecile raised her eyes.
"Poor aunt She thinks he is in
love with her" was the thought that
flashed into her mind, and her cheek
became as rosy as her lips. "How can
she, when he is twenty-four and she
si1 and thirty ?"
"Now, if it had been the dcctor,"
said Miss Pelham, with ponderous at
tempt at looking arch, 81 should have
said he was coming to ask you a very
"For shame !" said Miss Tilt $50
phia, how can you? Poor Mr.. Parry
What shame to put such ideas into
ones head"
"He certainly is very fond of coming
here" said Cecile, thoughtfully. "And
be is about your age, auntie, and very
nice, kind man"
/" My dear girl he is years older
than / am. He must be at least thirty
eight"
Her niece did not smile when Miss
Tilt made this announcement, but she
had hard work to keep her rebellious
mouth straight. That afternoon Cecilt
went by herself to call on friend who
lived some two miles away. AS she
was returning she met Murchison.
"You should not walk alone, nov
that the hop-pickers are in the neigh
borhood," he said, severely. "YoT
must let me see You home"
AS she made no opposition he walked
by her side, stealing many side glance
ut her face.
"Promise me-" he continued, after {
minute, "that you will not go ou
alone again until they are gone.
don't like to think of it. They are al
awfully rough lot"
"They won't interfere with me.
am not afraid" she said, laughing.
"But am. Pray don't think me in
terfering, bat it is not safe for an un
protected girl in these lonely lanes."
Oecile was silent aud half embar
rassed for few minutes, but soon re
oh hn cnn nI
They were both surprised when the,
found themselves at the gate; the tim
had passed so quickly, owing to an in
teresting conversation.
"Oh, here we are at home !" SAT-
Cecile, blushing directly after for tn
dismayed tone of her words.
{" / am sorry" he answered, extend
ing his hand. " It has been a delight
full walk to me at least. May it soon b
repeated /"
He held her small gloved finger
, lingeringly, and when her shy look me
his, as she said, "Good-bSe, and than
3 YOU" there was something in his eye
that made her hastily withdraw and ru
! into the house, with her very neck su
fused with color.
Ouo Nbnb SbANAShV upopohS oh0 hoa
[ removed her hat when her aunt's voiC
[ called her into her bedroom. She foun
I Miss Tilt sitting on the side of her be
with her handkerchief to her eyes.
{ What is it, auntie p and Cecil
hastened to her side in some apprehel
a sion. {" oh, not-not-bad news frol
y home !"
Q ooh, dear, mop Miss Tilt hurried
]. responded. "Nothing bad has hal
pened. I am only little agitate'
Oecile, dear, am engaged to be ma
= ried."
!, "Oh, aunt, I am very glad, and nj
y much surprised. 1 thought it would !
e so some time-I guessed it as soon
it 1 came"
% "Did you, dear p
e Her aunt bestowed on her surprise