The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1884-05-14

Here descended two or three steps.
81 wonder what he is likeW / thought.
''pve a great mind to slip down and
peep through the crack of the door.
My goodness me, what would mamma
sayl And Simon9 How good that coffee
does smell And the chimney don't
smoke any more now"
Softly l crept down. Goblin-like l
glided across the hall and peeped around
the big mahogany door, which stood
conveniently ajar.
The old room was all in glow of
ruddy light. Close to the hearth, whose
blazing logs cast so bright an illumina-
ton around, wooden chair was drawn
up, and there sat young, handsome
man, leaning thoughtfully back, as If
his dark, Spanish eyes saw far beyond
the leap of the flames or the columns of
blue smoke.
"IIe isn't Old Crab Battersley at all, !"
said to myself. "He's like the hero of
a novel"
And then took second look.
'Then who is he2" l asked myself
"and what business has he here2"
All of a sudden the trembling coffee
pot, which was placed on bed of Goals,
boiled over. The hero of romance
stopped to remove it, and in the change
of position his eyes Unexpectedly met
mine.
took refuge in instantaneous flight,
but l was too late He had seen me,
and sprang to his feet. But the hall was
only lighted by the red stream of bril-
lance from the blazing logs, and l had
the advantage of being thoroughly ac-
quainted with the premises. If | could
once hide away behind my great-great
grand-aunt's picture in the garrett
But even as this possibility flashed
across my mind | slipped on the lower
stair, sharp, needle-like pang of pain
shot through my ankle, and sank help.
less to the floor.
My captor fastened to the rescue.
"Are you hurts" said he, with solici
tude.
"Yesl" 1 cried out, sharply. 81 have
sprained my ankle"
Butt beg your pardonw he said.
'I-I don't quite know who you are, nor
how you came here!"
81 am Barbara Battersleyw said l, de.
family.
"My cousins" with a sudden bright
ness in his face.
"Yes, 1 suppose sop I ungraciously
admitted.
"What can - for you?" he ques-
ioned, earnestly.
"You can let me alone" I cried, con-
tracing my brows, as fresh spasm of
pain thrilled my nerves.
T., l.. . I,lf
81 could l suppose" said he; "but
don't you think had better help you
in by the fire, and then go for the nearest
doctor, if you will kindly direct me to
one2"
His manner was kindly, although a
little satirical. was heartily ashamed
of myself.
81 beg your pardon!" 1 said. ''You
couldn't help my clumsiness, and you
cannot prevent the pain, But"
At this moment there came a volley of
laundering knocks at the door. 1t was
Simon, come to see what on earth had
become of me.
"It's raining like the deluge," said he,
"and the tide is up, and--hello! who is
thisl-and why are you so pale2 Is any.
thing the matterl"
don't know what happened just then.
l believe l tainted.
When | came to my senses, mamma
was there, and the doctor, and cousin
Battersley's Italian servant, who knew
exactly what to do in every emergency.
And my ankle was bandaged up, and
they had made an impromptu couch foI
me with two old packing-boxes and
scarlet plush railway rug.
And mamma was crying and declaring
that she did not know what she should
have done if it had not been for Rudolph
Battersley's kindness and presence of
mind.
We stayed there all night, because of
the rain and the rising tide. We stayed
there during the next week, because Ru-
dolph declared that he never could get set
tied without my taste and woman's ad-
vice, and Simon's help.
And we concluded to remain there for
ever, because Rudolph-who was only
the grandson of the cross old old kinsman
who had sued us and was since dead-as-
sured us that he saw our shadow of right
in his grandfather's claim, supreme court
or no supreme court; and that he should
return at once to Switzerland, five didn't
agree to live on there, just as if there never
had been any lawsuit.
"rherem cried Simon, laughing
''Baby has always been signing for hero
of nomance, and guess she has found
him at last"
But when Cousin Rudolph told me,
Just six months afterward, that he could
not be happy unless l would promise to
become his wife, could scarcely credit
my own ears.
'It's because you want to settle the
family dissenslons," said l, almost in
clined to cry.
mo, it isn't, " said he; 'it's because ]
love you, Baby"
"But how can you possibly care foI
mel" said |, with sudden burst of hu
mility
He turned me gently toward the mirror
which hung close by.
look in the glass, Baby" said he,
llay,A