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

Lu to that born idiot I'd kick the
man who'd do such a ching, If there
were no other way to punish him
1t was Homer Harkness who said
this and shortly afterward passed
through the salesroom, which was de
serted save by Ned. Mr. Hardness
was a young business uian of the city.
very comfortably situated in lifA and
having for several years taken. his
meals there, he was on quite friendly
terms with the feeble-minded youth.
"Ned," he asked, bending over. the
counter. half-confdentially, lyon are
going to invite me to the wedding. /
supposep" - ~.
"What-me and LuP' ~
"Yes."
Eyes, going to invite al the board
ers," the fool said in a very business
like manner.
"When will it probably take place.
NedP"
"Blamed If / know-Tu won't say.
Say Lu," the door had opened to ad--
init her at that moment, "when be we
goin' to getmarriedp This gentleman
wants to know"
Lu looked up at Mr.. Hardness, for
1t was getting dusk in the sllesroom,
and the gas had not been lighted. A
moment her lip quivered, and then
tears sprang to her eyes.
"Go downstairs, Ned" she replied,
turning away. "Mr. Towner wants
you"
"No he don't either. You've got to
tell me now," and the poor youth
sprang forward with a sort Of frenzy,
but at that moment the sharp tones of
his master sounded his name so EN-
phatically that he at once turned and
went laundering away down the
stairs.
Lu was SO evidently panied by the
occurrence that the young man, self
accused, went near to her and stam-
mered out an apology.
Indeed, you are not to blame" she
said, quickly, smiling through her
tears. AZ am foolish to let this talk
annoy me; but IL can't help 1t. l
don't blame the poor fellow much, but
l can't stand it; at least l feel as though
couldn't, though l don't know how
can help myself"
"I will tell you how you can put a
stop to his nonsense"
"Will you? Then tell me-"
Marry mer'
LUIS lip trembled as she cast fur
tive glance up into the young mans
face, and her whole soul thrilled as she
caught the magnetic love-beam of his
dark eyes.
"What do you mean?" she de-
manded.
"Just what l say, Lu. 1 admire
you; love you. have long wanted to
tell you so, and to ask you this. Surely
you prefer me to Ned. Now what say
you-will you be mine?"
What could she sayP She knew Mr..
Hardness too well to suppose for a
moment that he was trifling with her /;
but it seemed impossible to realize
that the man she most revered of all
in her limited circle of acquaintances
had really asked her to become his
wife. Why did his request touch so
deed chord in her soul? Was it be-
cause it was an answer of an aspira-
tion she had not dared acknowledge,
much less to cherishp, Before she
could command herself to frame an
answer a dull football sounded upon
the stairs.
"Let me GO; uncle is coming" {"
And she tried to withdraw her hand.
"Quick, then; yes OF noP'
al guess So" and with a skip she
bounded into the dining-room to hide
the joy-hush which would mantle her
cheeks with strange, glow.
Homer Harkness did not allow the
matter to rest long In that state. Salts
factory terms were arranged with the
uncle and aunt, and it was decided
that the marriage should take place
in a month.
Early in the evening the ceremony
was very quietly performed, and the
happy husband started with his bride
for flying VISIT to the home of his
parents in neighborihg town. Ned
had been given holiday for twenty
AOAA hOdAcf WhANAi i4C Wtto pdNolllk Mlll
a relative in another portion of the
city so that an unusual sense of quiet,
almost amounting to desertion. settled
over the usually busting establishment
of the Towners.
But at midnight the quiet was
rudely broken and the neighborhood
rang with the sharp cries of Fire p
AaRective fiue in the bakery had
e8dsed the misfortune; the iiames
leaped rapidly from room to room of
the old wooden building, so that when
the fire department reached the scene
they found the fire bursting out from
basement to attic.
JqstEbthe firemen commenced oper-
ations Ned dashed upon the scene,
breAthless and excited. He saw the
dense smoke pouring from the broken
window Of LUIS room and wildly in
quired for the occupant. But no one
answered his question, for none under