The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1886-08-04
MISS FORTUNES ROMANCE.

Itwas a hot day in May-one of those
early hot days that are so exhaustinp-
and Miss Fortune Wayland, tired with
that provoking kind of shoppinp that
consists in matching things,h turned
into fashionable ladies' restaurant for
rest and refreshment. She was calm.
equable girl, not readily irritated. but Il
was trltie annoying to have her quiet
interrupted by the rustling, laughing,
and chattering of the very two girls
whose company at that hour she would
most of all have deprecated. q
For she was dusty and heated, and not
IN her freshest toilet, and Ida Vincent and
Kate Croye had just stepped from their
carriage in all the lustre and freshness
of elegant spring costumes. They. of
course, could afford to be pleasant; it was
much harder thing for Fortune to smile
and say: ''Is it really you9 am glad
to see you."
They sat down together, and began to
eat ices, and discuss toilets and summer
plans, 1--WE were going to Europe, -
SAID Ida, with a charming frankness.
but some one is going to the Branch
and of course we follow in his wake
Mamma thinks he admires me, and / am
under orders to captivate him."
Il know whom you mean, Ida; there
is really no need for you to affect secrecy.
1t is Ray Symington. My mamma thinks
he admires me, and am under orders to
captivate him also."
And pray who is Ray SymingtonY"
'As If you did not know, Fortune |
Why, your father is his lawyer. He has
been back for month, and was at the
MOBILES and the Hilliards' and"
"Now know whom you mean" said
Fortune. "He used TO come great deal
to our house before he went abroad
That is six years since. l was only a
schoolgirl then, but from what / re-
member of Ray Symington think he will
never fall in love with any woman except
one made to order. However, he does
not concern me; have fringes on nv
mind at present. So will say good-by,
girls"
''Wait quarter of an hour, and we
will take you as far as Atkins"
Thanks; cannot wait; am to meet
mamma and Gertrude at Madame De-
cimers. Adieu"
Fortune was walking down Broadway
again, and this time without the least
sense of heat or fatigue. She was calling
10 remembrance some autumn days six
years ago, when she had first seen Raw
Symington. What happy September
and October it had been She had come
into town early in order TO enter school
at the commencement of the session, and
had been alone with her father. During
these days Ray hal been much with
them, and she had sat listening happily
to his travels by land and sea, and heard
him discuss with Mr.. Wayland scientific
subjects IN which both were interested.
How often had she brought them tea or
coffee while they sat talking, and what
pleasant words and looks he had given
her!
Nay, there had been something more
than this. One night when Mr.. Wayland
had been called out on business, and they
two sat alone by the little open fire that
the chill October night made necessary,
Ray had held her hand and said, sorrow
fully: Fortune, will you forget me when
90 over the sea, and never remember
the pleasant nights we three have had
togetherl'
III they were pleasant, why do you go
away9" she asked, softly.
you almost tempt me to ask to stay
buy you are so young it would be unfair
| am an old man, child, Travelled and dis
illusioned; it would be unfair. You must
see the world first, Fortune; and then
and then if you remember me, ah, how
happy / shall bel Give me the rose at
your belt, dear child Perhaps you will
think of me till it withers."
81 shall never forget you"
But Ray either misdoubted the young,
inexperienced heart, or he feared TO trust
the future with it. He only kissed the
rose and kissed the hand that gave it,
and in an hour there was an end of For
tunes young romance
Perhaps just in this very hour her good
fate had turned toward her, for what she
had failed to find and failed 10 do sll
morning now came easily to her hand