The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1883-04-18

presume?"
"N-o nor said Doctor Pell, with
an unusual air of hesitation. "My call
is not one of business, Miss arls-
court"
Hessie may be pardonel for family
showing her surprise. Doctor Arthur
Pell had always seemed to her the
busiest and most practical of men.
How, then, should she suspect his
errand.
Mop she said, in half-interrog-
atory tone, and paused.
4" and Doctor Pell paused.
Hessie grew little pale.
Your errand is not agreeable, am
afraid, Doctor Pell. DO l not give
satisfaction"
In the school-to the committee ?"
he answered "Most assuredly you
dow
"Thank your said ITessie, greatly
relieved.
" am very awkward am afraid
| shall startle YOU" said Doctor Pell,
very gently, after a moment; "but the
truth is, have come to day to ask you
to he my wife"
Hes les brown eyes opened, indeed
I startled.
"Yol are not offendedp
"N-ow said He;sie.
1.-THE way of it is this !" said Doctor
Pei. "Ten years ago l had a sweet
wife, whom | loved very dearly. She
died, and left lie with one child. My
child fell to my mothers care, who has
made the only home for me l have hal
since. But she is very aged, and has
often urged me to marry again. How
ever, this found impossible. 1t has
only been since 1 have known you,
Miss Earlscourt, that marriags again
has seemed possible. Pardon me ! |
know you have little expected this.
But you are not offended, though am
no youthful hero TRY to believe me
Il think l could make you happy :"
He bent forward and took one of
Hessie's small hands gently between
his. He looked very good and manly.
"I-I must have time to think, Doc
tor Pell," faltered Hessie.
Certainly. | have male my pro-
posal. You shall decide at your leis-
ure. But while you are thinking
about it | would like to see you once
in a while, Hessie. viii you let me
take you to ride-call upon you of an
evening?"
81 have no objection" answered
Hessie. quietly, but she felt quite dizzy.
In q few moments Doctor Pell had
gone away.
Before she lad in the least righted
herself there was another knock at
the half-0pen door, and Mr.. Deslonde
walked in.
Mr.. Paul Deslonde was the most
elegant man of Hessie's acquaintance.
He was very handsome; his manner
was faultless.
She had always stool a little in awe
of him. Judge, then, of her surprise,
when, having seated himself in her
little sitting-room, and chatted easily
for half an hour, he very gracefully
made Il proposal of marriage.
My father wants me to marry, and
being usually arbitrary. | am exceed
ingly grateful to him that he does not
insist upon making a choice for me, but
leaves me free to please myself. And
this is no sudden fancy / have known
YOU long, and admiration has ripened
into personal esteem. VIII you take
my proposal into consideration :"
Hessie caught her breath. She
looked very pretty with the maidenly
reserve mantling her features, the
long, dark lashes shading the pure
cheek; but these words brought such
a bewildering vista of the elegant
Deslonde mansion, where home was
offered her, that she was all in IA whirl.
"I-I will take your offer into con-
sideration, Mr.. Deslonde," shesyllable1,
mechanically.
She felt entirely incapable of saying
any more. And then Cuddy came
running in with the ammonia bottle,
and Mr.. Deslonde's conversation
turned to generalisms, and then he
took his leave.
Nobody will wonder, think, that
Hessie was very much excited. 1t was
| not unpleasant excitement. She was
battered, she was encouraged.
Doctor Arthur Pell was very much
respected, though he was not rich
Paul Deslonde was very wealthy
Such a proposal from either was very
reassuring to poor girl whose face
was her only fortune.
Not that Hessie was bit in love
with either How could she be when
r she never had before dreamed of mar
| rying either Of these gentlemen? II
, was all so very sudden and unex.
pected
The days and weeks went on. 1t
e was very pleasant change which hat
E come to Hessie--drives and visits, anC
i, flowers sent up TO her modest little
{ room.
( The new order of things brightenel
even the tedious school hours. Yet