The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1886-01-06

this lack keenly--overcstima his
"barbarism"-as he called his unpublished
style.
It was singular fact that in the sick.
room he never felt any Of these sensa-
tions, but was self-possessed, calm,
masterful. Many ladies who considered
DR.. Whitbeck dull and disagreeablo on
a first introduction, modified their ideas
At once on seeing his tenderness and
skill with patient.
Hazel first saw him, by accident,
binding up the broken leg OF dog one
day when she was out for q walk in the
country. His goodness to this little
stray creature touched her heart, and his
manly form and open face beaming in
telligence and kindness as he arose from
his cramped position on the ground inn
pressed her strongly. She went up to
him like child, without embarrassment
or hesitation, and spoke of what he had
been doing.
II followed In the conversation that
he knew her friends with whom she was
stopping, and walked home with her.
They were introduced, though, as Hazel
said, 1T was entirely supertluous after
such an extensive acquaintance" Al
most every day during the remainder Of
the summer they were companions, rid
ing, walking, fishing, sailing.
DIR. Whitbeck was more at his ease in
the open air. His scientific knowledge
often came into use, and he grew to be
sort OF hero--a skilled hero in her
eyes; she thought there was nothing he
did not know and could not do.
To him, this child-woman grew more
charming every day. Her limo cence
and open admiration for him was quite
too much for his reserve, which melted
completely away in the sunshine of her
presence. She was such a lovable little
maiden, with her merry leugh and ready
sympathy. He did not realize how he
had opened his heart to her and the
strength Of his passion until it was too
late. When he did see his danger with
strange faulty he said to himself: "She
does not know it, I'll make. no resist
ance now, but go on and be happy in
the p, esent, as shall probably never
again know happiness in my life." So
they had parted without one word of
love being spoken.
The following winter DR.. Whitbeck
had commenced practicing in the same
city where Hazel lived. She met him
occasionally and invited him to call, but
he was always busy and strange cool
ness grew up between them. He actually
seemed to avoid her. She thought with
a woman's sensitiveness that she had
been silly and foolish, and he regarded
her as too trifing piece of humanity to
be worthy OF his least attention, 80 with
equal GOODNESS she studiously avoided
him.
The summer days slipped away, she
and the colonel enjoying many>a drive
in Sylvan Park. She made visit to
Efie and came home looking prettier, If
possible, than ever. With her thorough
ly hopeful disposition and perfect health
she seemed to radiate happiness.
Autumn came and early winter, still
she had received proposals-not one.
Her young gentlemen friends did not
find it easy to make advances with her in
spite Of her frankness and seeming
pleasure in their society. The only
person who really enjoyed her confidence
was the colonel, whom she regarded as
u sort OF father .confessor.
However, the fatal day came at last
She and the colonel had been out for one
of their numerous drives. They had
been unusually merry, the colonel be-
having much like young boy. On
bringing her home, he came in ostensi-
bv to "get warm" Standing with his
back to the fire and his hands folded be-
hind him, and his feet wide apart, he
regarded Hazel in an abstracted way as
she threw off her wraps, dropping her
cloak on chair, her hat on sofa,
dragging a scarf over stand and leav-
ing a mitten on the floor.
Suddenly bringing his heels together
with click and raising himself up oa
his toes and letting himself down again,
he said
Come here, child, I want to tell you
something"
Hazel came over to where he was
standing, and, dropping into chair,
looked up with expectation in her eyes.
The colonel took a step, wheeled
around facing her and said in
deprecating way, II don't know how to
tell you, am not an eloquent man-not
much of man anyway-but IL love
you. have loved you since YOU were a
wee child. Perhaps-I suppose do seem
old to you, but feel Younger than did
at twenty do so long to devote the
remainder of my life to you, darling,
could youl Do you think you could be
my wifel"
Hazel, at first dumbfounded and feel
ing strong inclination to laugh and cry
both, tried in vain to collect her wits.
Her first offerl And Colonel Baker,
with his queer ways and bald head
standing there with that ridiculous
quaver in his voice 1t was TOO much
mo" she cried, springing up. "How
could you ever think l would consent to |
such thingl"
Then a sense of all his goodness and |
worth-it mingled feeling of pity at
his dis.ress-came over her, and clasp
ing the palms of her hands together, she
said, brokenly; "Ohl you are so good.