The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1883-09-12

so intuitivn were her perceptions Of
what sl nj be done that she seemed
to Mr.. hartley the very embodiment
grace and mercy.
Days went on and heightened into
weeks, and the little sufferer so far
recovered that all immediate danger
was passed. However, the shock to her
system was great and her vital powers
much reduced. 1t was necessary to
carry her from place to place, and any
careless grasp made her Shrek in
agony. No one carried her so COM
fortably as DR.. Hartley-or I" my DR..
Dick" as she affectionately styled him.
He was the son of an old friend of
Professor Middleton's, and being in
Boynton, village near the professors
Valley Home, on some business for his
father on the day of Berenice's acci-
dent, had met and introduced himself
to the professor. The old familiar
name and the resemblance to his friend
so touched the warm-hearted old
gentleman that he would listen to no
excuse or delay, but carried off
his prize forthwith to his home
that he might more com
pletely enjoy hearing of his boyhood's
friend. Richard Hartley had a soul
full of love for his chosen work and a
mind and body well fitted to do we'll
whatever he undertook. With these
good grounds for success and favoring
circumstances it is small wonder that
he stood well in his profession. The
errand that had brought him had long
been satisfactorily attended to, but to
his conscience and his neglected and
demonstrating patients he had the
same reply: 1.-The daughter of my
fathers dear old friend has the best
right my attention"
X X
Well, time doth fly, we all know. It
was early spring when Beny's fall
made her the chief interest in the Val
ley Home, and now the days were
shortening fast and mists hung late
and early over the reddening hills.
Berenice still claimed her doctors aid
and her Brdne's entertainment, and
all things still yielded to her rather
arbitrary will. However, urgent calls
from his Southern home demand that
DR.. Hartley shall return, and long
grow all countenances when the word
goes forth that OILY few more days
of grace remain.
Shortly after making this announce
ment the doctor joins Professor Mid
dleton as he sallies forth on his usual
geologizing expedition, which lasts
even longer than usual, and results in
the professor returning with a bewil-
dered look on his face, basket empty
of specimens, and minus his hammer,
the inevitable companion of many a
walk. He went straightway to Mrs.
Middleton, demanded of her why she
had not told him that Bruno was
woman, and without awaiting a reply
strobe off to his library.
Meantime DR.. Dick came into the
house and, catching the sound of
sweet voice singing in Beny's room, he
took himself there also. Pausing a
moment at the door to subdue glanc-
ing light in his eyes and smooth away
tell-tale smile from his lip, he heard
the words:
If we are poor and would be rich, it would
not be by pining.
No steady hearts and hopeful minds are
Life's bright silver lining.
There's ne'er man hath dared to hope, hath
of his choice repented-
The happiest souls on earth are those who
smile and are contented.
Then as the song ceased he heard
the querulous, sharp tones of Beny's
voice demand:
"Brune, did you ever find your Oh
ject?"
"Why, what do you mean, dear?"
replied Brune's softer voice.
"Don'tyou recollect the day broke
my back, you know, the day that DR..
Dick came, you were up on the hill
under the great oak tree looking for
your object, and I've always wantedt to
see il"
"You are my object, then, L expect,
Beny, for was thinking what an idle
girl l was, and longing for something
to do, and you've furnished me with
quite enough, you little puss,"
This was an innocent speech to make,
I'm sure, and l cannot understand
why the color mounted to Brune's eyes
as she made it, nor whythose self-same
eyes should seek book all-unthought-
of before, just as DR.. Dick came in,
too. Beny wasn't satisfied at ALL and
stretched out her arms to him, exclaim-
ing eagerly;
"Dr. Dick, Bruno was looking for
an object on the hill when 1 went to
find her What is that? An object
to live for, she said she wanted.
Have you got one?" she asked
curiously.
DR.. Dicks eyes looked deeper and
bluer than ever, and, bending down to
help find the still looked-for volume,
he accidentally encountered Brunes
little hand outstretched ON the same
quest, and Beny heard him say: