The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1885-10-07
A QUAINT PROPOSAL.

: Inc lilac bush beneath the south win
dow of Willow Brook Farms wainscot-
ted parlor nodded gracefully as q tiny
zephyr swept gayly by waiting far and
near its incense of new mown hay. In
its wake fluttered a purple and golden
butterfly, TO poiso a moment upon the
windows ledge, then to soar boldly for
ward until it lit upon a curious old vase
beside an organ, whose yellowed KEYS
cleaned softly in the half darkened
room. The butterfly and the vase mir
rored themselves in the polished oak
floor, and If the range had been right
they could have repeated the picture in
the shining surface of each article of
furniture.
A young girl was the sole occupant of
the room, with the exception, of course,
of the butterfly, who had winged his
way to small oval mirror and was busily
making his toilet, as his companion,
humming q merry tune, busted carefully
squatty teapot, whose fat little spout
and comic tout ensemble at once inspired
. longing for tea brewed in such novel
quarters. At that moment voice, call
ing "Marthyl Marthyl" echoed through
the house, followed by "Run--quick
old Tins in the corn field, and my hands
are all over doughr'
Hastily replacing the ancient heirloom
on. spindle-legged table, the young
girl darted from the room, while the
butterfly, startled at its toilet, spread its
brilliant wings and foated swiftly out
into the sunshine again. Snatching a
snowy sun bonnet from its peg in the
hall, Martha few down the garden path
across to an adjacent meadow. In her
hurry she failed to notice a gentleman
slowly advancing in her direction, until
two masculine hands stayed her progress.
With an exclamation of surprise, Mar
tha raised her pretty blue eyes and met a
pair of decidedly good looking brown
ones, gazing with evident appreciation
at the dimpled, blushing face, from off
which the sun-bonnet had slipped, dis
closing a crop of reddish golden rings
lying close to the finely shaped little head.
~ beg your pardon" murmured Mar
tina, the bushes and dimples waxing
deeper, "but l didn't see you, was in
such hurry"
Don't mention it. Wouldn't have
missed the-the pleasure for anything.
IL like to be run into" averred the
gentleman with considerable emphasis.
Such rippling laugh as bubbled over
the lips of Martha at this speech, which
she hastily apologized for with:
al didn't mean to, really; but what
you said sounded so odd"
''You couldn't do it again, could you?
assure you never appreciated being a
odd until to-day. /"
Al,
suddenly recollecting her errand. 81
forgot all about him, "and away she sped,
the gentleman hurrYing after, repeating
''Cow Him! Let me help you. IL
really am very clever with cows. In fact
would like to make them a study"
However, when the field was reached
no COW was to be seen, and remarking
that doubtless some of the hands had
ousted old Tim, Martha turned her steps
toward the house, thinking the gentle
man would proceed on his way. To her
astonishment, however, he kept along by
her side, Observing
"Are you acquainted at Willow Brook
farm2"
"Why, yes; it's my horne. l was
born there" answered Nestha, sur
prisedy.
'Happy farml Imean--t' tmust be
a lovely place. You see, osits fact is
that is, have a note for \ pncan, of
Willow Brook Farm" jal poih
"My motherw ejacu Martha,
opening wide her blue ey ,o,,, ereupon
the gentleman scanned newly
awakened interest SOU ope he
had extracted from his get, as
he added: .ler in
~ am an old sho lotheI
is an old friend of Mrs pPInI &c max
ing a rough calculate O''D--Si III OF
. time it might take, C. lble,
TO place him on equa- hing
with the Idaughteo aoUo da's
thoughts ran very n HulLlS. ii
"Would be nice ! Mt
so sallow Wonder pelk
him to make US vi Add
her speak of an old d9LIcAN, only 3, la
son" 10"
BY this time they
the nath that led