The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1886-01-06
HER FIRST ENGAGEMENT.
nY FRANcEs EpwARps.

very pretty gray team and o rather
old.fashioned basket phaeton stood in
front Of a large, cream brick house on
Clifton avenue, one Tuesday morning
Ia late june The air and sunshine and
sky were perfect A most tempting
morning for drive.
The owner Of the turnout, Colonel
Baker. was within the mansion soliciting
Miss Hazel Traits company for drive.
The young lady had not the slightest
objection to going with him. He was
an old friend Of her fathers, an amusing
story-tcller and very fond cf his horses.
He was called Colonel" " not from any
connection with military life, but 1t was
= title received la his early boyhood
days and 1t had clung to him as nick.
names and titles of this sort often do.
Ae for Miss Hazel, she was an I'M
spoiled child of sixteen, with merry
laugh, bright, brown eyes and hair that
''fruzzled" about her face, cheeks where
the color came and went like the rose
Hush in an evening sky. She had no ex-
traordinary talents aud gave promise of
none, except the talent OF being charm
ingly girlish and exceedingly feminine
Ia all her tastes She was at that
happy STAGE of young life-just be-
ginning to have admirers Her dear
friend, Eiiie Longstrcet, had said
At parting the week before on gradual
ing day: ''Now, dear, at the first symp-
tom Of an engagement you write me, and
I'll do the same TO you: and be sure and
accept your first oiTer. II always brings
good luck in the end, and even if it isn't
just what you desire, you know it is al.
ways easy to break an engagement. "
With this sage advice reposing in her
mind, Hazel kept her eyes open to the
possible advent Of lover, though she
felt very shy, and in fact dreaded pro-
posal outside Of her own dreams.
The colonel she did not regard in the
light OF an admirer. He was older than
her father, and had been married twice
a. .ady, which ought TO be enough for
any sane man, she thought.
Presently they came out OF the house
and he helped her into the carriage.
Very lovely she looked in pale ecru
dress, and hat to match with a flaming
bunch of poppics low down ON one side.
(which way shall we got" he said, as
he took up the reins.
"Oh don't care anywhere so that
we can so fast--you know don't like
20 poke along"
This sly maiden we'll knew that the
colonel always liked to drive fast. She
gave him quick glance and little
laugh.
.'Yes, we'll, have you been out to the
park Istely9 Not Suppose we go out
then; there is plenty OF room and good
roads" he added.
VERY we'll. That will be delightful
and say, when the horses are going real
nice won't you let me drive just a 1ittle2
think am good driver" with an
other upward glance, 'and with you
hsre, colonel, there could be no possible
danger
So they went spinning along unfre-
quented drives and lovely shady places.
The colonel prided himself on the rapid,
even gait Of his favorites. Hazel had
her wish 70 drive granted. She pressed
her little foot against the rod and held
the reins until her arms were ',all tired
out. F" Then the colonel took them again
and turned the horses toward Clifton
avenue, Hazel chatting away about her
friend Efiie, and the lovely time she
would have when she would visit her
uoAb uAontns
On the way down the avenue they met
DIR. Whitebeck, driving slowly, and bent
over in his seat, meditatively eying the
dashboard, as if profoundly considering
some scientific theory or studying the
latest treatment of a case. The mo-
ment be looked up anu saw them, he
grasped his whip The horse gave
start, which nearly threw the doctor
over backward, and went furiously up
the street.
deuce take that oolonelp' he NUT
tered under his breath. "What business
has he TO be driving her out SO muchi"
Then with a grim smile and a long
drawn breath "It's none of my business,
though. none whatever, if she rides to
the end Of the earth wilhahim."
This young man had met Hazel tho
summer before while visiting a school
friend. He was proud, poor reserved
and ambitious self-made man-but
uncomfortable in society. He lacked the
ease aud polish that many an unworthy,
weak maA possesses, who is brought up