The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1886-08-11

the young creatures coats glistening in
the sun.
But who should come suddenly riding
along the road, as if he had an appoint
ment with Infant, and meant to keep it
the moment she set her foot on the rail,
but the Honorable Truman Condit, who
many years before rode as instantaneously
out of her sight2 She knew him in q
flash, although his hair showed gray
around the ears, and much experience
had added unspeaksbly to his personal
ity. He was on Condit horse, evi-
IDENTIFY riding around to look at his old
neighborhood. There was a great tribe
of the Condits, all well-to-do, high
headed people. The Honorable Truman
had been the local smart young man of
his generation. I1e,wes sent to the State
Legislature before his thirtieth year, and
afterward he went West, where, Infant
heard, he did remendotAthings.
She was suddenly conscious that her
rose-studded braid was not wound up in
decent lump as she wore it before her
class of young ladies in Sunday
She felt contemplate and out of her
place in the human procession, although
the Honorable Truman turned his horse
straight into the fence corner to shake
hands with her.
"Pretty nearly the same Infant Bald
win, ~ he remarked. "And how is Rilla2
Is she as hard on you as she used to be9"
"Oh, Rilla was never hard on me. She
is quite well, thank you. You're coming
up to the house to make us a call and
take tea, aren't you9"
81 thought l would"
Infant looked anxiously at the wester-
ing sun. She hoped Rilla would have
the cold soap cut into cakes and boxed,
and herself bathed, clothed, and in her
right mind, before the Honorable Truman
CondiG rode up to their door.
81 want to have talk with you first,
though, " he added. "And my way is to
go right to the point. Why did you
never marry9"
"Come to that" retorted Infant, q
sparkle breaking through her face, ''why
did you marry?"
SIN the first place, because you
wouldn't have me, and in the second
place, because l found a very good wife
where went. I've been widower now
several years, and the boys are settled.
Pm loose from business for almost the
first time in my life, and back here to
look at the old neighborhood before
spending some years abroad. Your never
marrying has revived certain things.
Maybe you've forgotten"
Among her other thoughts, Infant was
conscious of recollecting how often she
had wished to go abroad if only some
happy friend could go as a cushion be-
twixt Rilla and her. She unfastened
with furtive hand the rose rope wound
about her, but, unwilling to let so many
precious roses go, gathered 1t into loops
on her arm.
"Did you ever know" pursued the
Honorable Truman, "that Rilla told me
you were going to marry one of the Pier
son boys1"
'Nop' Infant cried out so suddenly
that the horse started.
Weren't you engaged to one of
themY'
81 never was engaged to anybody ex-
cept you, " she retorted, burning hotly in
the face, "and l did not admire the ex-
perience when you dropped me and went
off. And l don't yet, though you do lay
the blame on poor Rilla."
1t was six o'clock when Enos came
riding his plough h-horses to the great
barn. He had turned off early on pur-
pose to intercept Miss Infant and find
out what changes were to be made. In
fant hastened up to the orchard, while
the Honorable Truman hastened to the
same destination by the road. She saw
him leading his horse up the avenue and
felt impatient at Enos Robb's Interrupt
tion.
"Sudden doin's up to the house, 4" said
Enos, wiping his forehead with the back
of his hand. "'Pears like Riss Rill's
made up her mind about Brother Sander
son at last"
SIS Brother Sanderson at the house?''
inquired Infant.
"He is, for a fact, aAd the license and
the preacher with him. Now what l
want to know, and what ought to been
consulted, Miss Infant, seeing how long
l been here, is this-what's you and me
going to do -afterwardl Is it an inter
ference2"
"Enos, " said Infant, with gasp, "this
is almost as sudden TO me as it is to you.
But considering Rilla's firm character, do
you think she would let any new person
interfere with erestablishe0NplansT" -
"No, l don't" replied Enos, grin
ming.
Rilla was standing before the dresser
in her room arrayed in the stiffest silk.
She looked with composure upon her
twin, who shut the bedroom door, and
hurried up to embrace her.
'It was the best boiling of soap ever
had," said Rilla, warding the fading
roses away from her silk.
'Rlla dear, you might have told me
what you meant to do this evening. But
l am so glad couldn't bear the
thoughts OF leaving you before, but now
| can"
81 saw Truman Condit come into the
yard with you, said Rilla. "He's grown
fat. 1t must have agreed with him to
go West. h"
"This has been a great rose day" said
her twin, undoing all traces of the days