The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1883-08-15

"Oh, is it not p cried the young
girl, with almost quiver in her voice.
| lived there once. l was so happy
there ~
As she spoke her father threw open
the front door and came in, well
whitened by the storm.
cara FASTENED to help him off with
his great, shaggy, bufralo-skin coat, and
then drew another chair to the fire for
him.
Almost her first words were
Father, Mr.. Storey has been to
Laurel %
Mr.. Josslyn laughed
"You couldn't have been to better
place, according to this foolish child"
he said, addressing his guest.
Then Zara slipped away, leaving the
two men to enjoy the cracking pine
logs while she prepared something hot
for supper. In short time she re-
appeared and said
ave use our kitchen for a dining
room. Will you come TO supper, ,please2 p
Storey rose Immediately, and with
his host followed the young girl into
low-ceiled but exquisitely neltroom.
Zara presided at the head of the
small round dining-table, and poured
fragrant coffee into quaint, real china
cups.
"These came from home," she said,
proudly, as she handed William Storey
one Of the dainty blue and white treas
ures.
The evening was spent in pleasant
chatting, and passed so delightfully."- to
the young girl that she fairly stared at
the little clock when it struck IL.
a led was made up in the "best
roJm," as Mr.. Josslyn's cramped she'd
| ledroom, opening, as Zara's did, out
Of the kitchen, was not deemed suili-
ciently comfortable for the guest. And
when William Storey fell asleep that
night he dreamed of the little red
curtained room in which he lay, and
saw Zara's pretty, giriish face with the
lire.glow upon it, just as he had seen
it when awake.
The next morning the sun shone
brightly, btt all about the ranch lay
the snow in cleaning white drifts.
on had better remain with us to-
day. said Mr.. Josslyn after breakfast,
glancing out the window as he spoke.
81 should like to-" said Storey, "but
| thinkJ ought to go back to Boze-
man. My roommate (another East
ern man, Miss Josslyn) will be looking
for me. If you will let me, will ride
out in day or two and see you again,
for next week l go home"
Zara gave little longing sigh at his
last words. He was going home.
How she wished she could gol
Later she stood with her father in
the doorway and watched their guest
depart. The sunlight fell full upon
her wistful young face, and Storey
thought how very pretty she was as he
rode away,
In a few days he returned, as he had
said he would. Zara received him
with evident pleasure.
"Father has gone to look after the
Sheep" she said, "but he will be home
to dinner. He will be very glad to see
you, know"
Storey sat down on the rude, home
made lounge, and cara took her
favorite seat, the foot-bench by the
fire.
81 go home tomorrow" said Storey
Ego nome, l mean,. to your dear
East" smilngly
$50 soon y cried the young girl.
al am coming back next fall-for
another hunt. May / come and see
you them"
"You will never come" said Zara
simply.
II will never comel Why?" asked
the young man in surprise,
"You will forget all about us in that
time-a whole year from now."
Suppose don't forget, will you be
glad to see me when come ?" inquired
Storey with sudden eagerness, and
leaning toward Zara so as to get a
better view of her half-averted face.
"Yes, shall he glad to see you"
The answer sounded little cold,
but Storey was not dissatisfied, some
how.
1t was late in the day--not until
after dinner, some time, that the young
man took his departure. He rode away
with no little reluctance, and Zara
fingered long in the doorway watching
him.
4
The short Montana summer was
barely over-the cottonwood trees
were still yellow-and the air was yet
quite warm and pleasant, when one af'
tcrnoon, toward sunset, Zara looked VI
from her sewing and saw a tall, hand
some man coming toward the house OF
horseback.
Miss Josslyn r. cried a well-re
membered voice.
Zara rose, trembling little, from
the doorsteps where she had been sit
ting. She wore quite joyous ex
preston, Storey thought, secret.
pleased, as he left his horse to graz(
by the gate and hastened toward thr
young girl.