The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1884-10-29

not Mr. Pedder, shatter Mhy lingering
remnant of faith may have. Do not
heap perjury on perjury.
Mr.. P. (aside). ''Mr. Pedder." It's
serious. Aloud. My dear, you are
using very strong words
Mrs. P. have heard of your Loves,
and the false stories you have told Others
the affections you have wronged-the
hearts you have betrayed. And II.
who was ready to worship you. am to be
rewarded with the worn out feelings of a
rake. Oh! it is bitter awakening from
my dreaml
Mr. P. If you will drop your tragic
vein, and tell me what's the matter, I
shall, no doubt, be able to explain it. I
can see that some one has been trying to
make mischief between us. Who is the
liarl-the false friend2 Tell nae, that l
may prove myself innocent
Mrs. p. You bEazen it out fIoldly. sir.
but your acting does not impose upon
me. have proofs--the best proofs.
Mr.. P. Then show them to e.tell
me what they are. l cannot answer an
accusation that is so vague.
Mrs. p. You could not answer it if 1
demeaned myself by stating it in the
clearest words.
Mr.. P. Ellen, is this the faith and
trust you promised me at the altar2
Mrs. p. Do you dare to speak to me
of faith and trust7 You, who are so false
and disloyal.
Mr.. P. Hyou won't tell me you won't,
but I'll be hanged if know what all this
is about.
Mrs. II. Go on, sir, go on. Use bad
language if you want to. You don't
respect me, but you can't impose on me.
Had you confessed all and trusted to nv
love might have forgiven you, but
| your shameless protestations of ignor-
ance and innocence show me what l
have to expect in the future. l am
going to my room, sir, and I beg you
will not disturb me. Goes to doorl.
If you want amusement this morning,
sir, you can think of Lulu Tomlinson.
[She enters room and slams door.
Mr. P. (alone) Whe-e-e-w Lulu Tom
linson! Takes letters from his pocket
and looks them overl. By Jovei I've
dropped Georges, and she's read it.
And she thinks Lulu is a grill Laughsl.
That's the best joke l ever heard. Come
to think of it, his phrases were rather
ambiguous. Poor Ellen! it is really TOO
bad she should have been so worried.
But l was worried too. l shall have to
give her little lesson. Goes TO door,
opens it little and callsl. Mrs. Ped
derl
Mrs. P.'s voice. l asked you to respect
my grief.
Mr.. P. Gn calmly dignifed tones). 1
am aware how cruelty you have mis-
judged me. I cannot rest quietly under
a false and wicked aspersion. 1t will be
well for the future happiness of both of
us that you come here and listen to me.
Mrs. P's voice. 1 have proofs.
Mr.. P. Proofs that 1 shall demolish.
ENTER Mrs. P.
Mrs. P. shall be only too delighted
if you can.
Mr.. p Kindly take a seat. Thank
you. When you left me, just now, you
hurled at me the name of Lulu Tomlin-
son. What if l were to assure you that |
there is no such person2
Mrs. P. (rising. Oh, Dick, darling,
isn't there reallyl
Mr.. P. Oblige me, Mrs. Pedder, by
remaining seated.
Mrs. P. (sitting). Don't call me Mrs.
Pedder, Dick.
Mr.. p Madam, Just now, on a
groundless suspicion, you called me Mr..
Pedder once, and sir five times. Had
you told me ALL and trusted to my love,
l might have forgiven your want of
faith-the faith that you promised me at
the altar.
Hides face in handkerchief
Mrs. P. Oh, but, Dick, didn't really
mean it 1 never really doubted you.
Mr.. p. Madam, your acting does not
impose on me. Your anger was too nat
ural to have been assumed.
Mrs. p. Don't, Dick, don't. l can't
stand it. But you haven't explained it
all yet.
Mr. P. l should have, had you not
interrupted me. You found a letter
l dropped, aud you Immediately pro-
ceeded to read it.
Mrs. p. l saw it was from Mr. Ham
mond, and you said l might read it.
Mr., p. When l showed it to you. But,
Mrs.
Mrs. P. Don't, Dick, DON'T If you
call me Mrs. Pedder again 1 shall break
my heart.
Mr. P. Your distrust has almost
broken mine. You found in that letter
a reference to Miss Tomlinson and Lulu,
and Immediately jumped to the conclu-
sion that Lulu was girl to whom had
behaved like villain.
Mrs. p. And isn't she giHl
Mr.. P. No; Lulu is a dog.
Mrs. p. A dog
Mr.. P. A terrier of pure Skye breed.
Mrs. P. (rising. Oh, Dick, how fool.
ish have been.
Mr.. P. Don't touch me; hear me out.
The first time l met you, you happened
to mention your peculiar dislike to dogs.
| fell in love with you that evening, so
/ determined not to spoil my chances by
speaking of Lulu or letting you see her.
When you accepted me, the Tomlinsons
kindly took charge of Lulu, with the un-
derstanding that if / didn't claim her IN