The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1886-05-05

large, fine-looking man, with rather
bronzed complexion, and frank, kindly
eyes.
~ am stopping here on business for
our law firm" he explained. "They
were at one time located here, and still
have good deal of business in the city.
l saw your name on the hotel register,
and concluded to hunt you up, but have
been waiting so long my patience was
nearly exhausted. What keeps you out
so late2"
St. Cloud smiled complacently. He
had always liked Max Hart well enough,
though he considered the young lawyer
in some respects an ''odd fellow" To-
night, however. st. Cloud felt particu-
larly good-humored, and therefore con-
versationally inclined
"Well, to tell the truth I'm engaged, I"
he explained ''It's getting time for me
to settle down, and l couldn't do so
under more favorable circumstances.
Rose Annesley is the dearest little girl
in the world, and owns quite a hand
some property beside"
DO you mean the older or younger
Miss Annesley2' queried Max, rather
drily.
And st. Cloud rejoined in surprise:
II allude to the younger. Are they
not both the daughters of the late John
Annesley9"
''They are, " replied his friend. ''But
Mr.. Annesley was twice married, and
his elder daughter inherits her fortune
from her mothers family. Mr. Annes-
ley himself lived up to his entire income,
and his younger daughter inherited
rothing. She is, and always has been, en-
tirely dependent on her sister, though I
doubt if she has ever felt this dependence,
as Miss Annesley shares every comfort
and luxury with her. know whereof 1
speak, he added, with sidelong look
at st. Clouds crestfallen countenance /;
''for our senior partner is Miss Olive An
nesley's guardian, and transacts all her
business affairs"
1.-THE deucel" muttered St. Cloud,
under his breath; 'here's a nice piece of
work. thought Rose owned fully as
much as her sister. I'm not able to
marry girl without money! really am
not. If could only put up few thou
sand dollars, could command junior
partnership in our house."
He checked himself; he had spoken
more freely than he intended
'How about this Miss Olive Annes-
ley9" he asked, with forced smile
Anything of an old maid9 Likely to
die soon, and leave her property to Rose,
eh2"
'T should say not" answered Max,
composedly, 81 have only seen Miss An
nesley at distance, but I should Judge
her to be fine looking woman of about
twenty-seven or eight.
"Quite young enough to marry" MUIR
INJURED st. Cloud, gloomily.
Then rousing himself, with an effort,
he changed the subject.
But when he called on the Annesleys
the next morning, he invited Max most
cordially to accompany him, adding,
jocularly:
"You can take chance at the heiress,
old fellow; but mind, if you win her,
shall call for division of the spoils."
And Max was not 10th to accept the IN
vitation. He felt some curiosity to see
st. Clouds sweetheart, and remembering
their conversation of the night before,
some pity for her also.
'He cannot love her as she ought to be
loved ~ was his mental comment-a con-
viction which strengthened after his
meeting with Rose.
She greeted him so cordially as 'tBer-
ties friend" that when he looked into her
innocent eyes, he felt something like a
pang of self-reproach.
He was presented to Olive at the same
time, but she seated herself near st.
Cloud, and seemed really determined to
cultivate her future brother-in-law.
St. Cloud responded warmly to her
efforts, and a war of wits ensued between
them, in which, man of the world as he
was, he could not but feel, at times, a
little puzzled by Olive Annesley.
The arts and batteries which he had
practiced so successfully on other girls
seemed to fall harmlessly on olives
armor.
In the days that followed he found
himself devoting much more time to this
pale, gray-eyed girl than to his own
pretty Rose.
He said to himself that she was the
moneyed member of the family, and that
it would certainly be to his interest to
gain some influence over her.
At first he really had no other object.
lie saw that OllVe was pecullar-that she
differed from the ordinary society girls
whom he knew so well, and he took
pains to become acquainted with her pet
theories, her favorite authors-every-
thing calculated to interest her
They had frequent discussions, in
which st. Cloud would, at first, oppose
her ideas, and then, with subtle tact,
seem to defer to them.
Rose was, necessarily, thrown great
deal into Max Harts society; but she
showed no sense Of neglect, and only re-
joiced that Berthe and her quiet sister
should have taken such fancy to each
other.
Max Hart alone OWNED in it all deep
er meaning than appeared on the surface.
He saw that Olive was beginning to look
for st. Clouds comingas eagerly as Rose,
that her color deepened whenever he ap-