The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1886-08-25

Miss Hawkes. countenance was very
detected, however, the next day, when,
wrapped in sables and velvet, she drove
to the depot, about a mile and half
| distant from Hawkes. Hall, to take pos
session of her new treasure.
But the horses were fat and the roads
were heavy with the mud following on a
January thaw, and the noise of the re-
treating train had long since ceased to
echo among the hills when the carriage
drew up in front of the station.
81 knew we should be too late, Ralph" /"
said Miss Hawkes., signing, as she de-
scended from the carriage, with little
sugar dog-the result of last sudden
uncertainty whether her future charge
were three or thirteen years of age-in
her gloved hand.
There was but one inhabitant of the
waiting-roOm as Alice Hawkes. swept in
"a All, tinelooking man, somewhere in
the twenties with hazel eyes, nut
brown mustache and valise. Alice
looked obviously at him. He looked
with puzzled air at the fair apparition
In blue velvet and ermine.
For one minute-and then the whole
situation seemed to fash aslit were,
upon Alice Hawkes. mind. Mrs. Whyte
| Wayte had never mentioned the age of
her son. Could it be possible that this
! young man was the charge? She felt
her cheeks grow scarlet as she dropped
the sugar dog into the depths of her
pocket.
'T-I beg your pardon" said Miss
Hawkes., laughing and coloring, 'T ex-
pected to see much younger person"
The stranger rose end bowed. Alice
Hawkes. was well-proportioned girl,
but the gentleman lowered head and
shoulders above her. 4
"And l beg yours, ma'am," he said,
II was prepared TO see quite an old
LADY,"
ut is Mr. Waytseisn't it ?" hesitated
Alice
"'That is my nameF
II am sorry we are so late-it is all
my coachman's fault. The carriage is
waiting. Will you allow Ralph to take
your checks 2" ~
He smiled as he touched the valise
and color-box that lay on the floor at his
side.
81 have no other luggage than thisl l'
Old Ralph, with eyes like full moons,
bestowed the two boxes on the seat be-
side him, and held opon the carriage
door for his mistress and her guest to
enter.
"Ma'am, -" hecould not forbear whisper
ing, with slight giggle, there won't
be no call for them there sleds and
marbles and the kite, shaped like
man.
Alice pretended not to hear, but she
knew that her cheeks were as red as the
scarlet feather in her hat.
is this the old placer" he asked, lean
ing out of the window, as they neared
the graystone portico in front every
column draped in glossy green ivy. 'It
will make a beautiful picture"
do you think so9" said Miss Hawke,
smiling. "Wait until you see the south
ern elevation; it is still prettier and more
picturesque.
The housekeeper, old Hannah, came
smiling and courtesying to the door; but
she stared little as Mr., ,Wayte, spring
ing first from the carriage, assisted her
young mistress to descend.
''lf you please, men," quoth she,
''where's the young gentleman"
This 'ere's the young gen leman,
Hannah" cried Ralph from his box, con
verting laugh into very explosive
species of cough.
And Hannah remembered the little
cranberry tart she had Just baked on an
"a. B. c." tin platter "for the dear
little orphan boy"
"The blue room, Hannah, said Miss
Hawkes., biting her lip, to repress her
amusement at the old woman's face of
astonishment
"Yes'm--to be sure, 'um," said Han
nah. Dear, dear! how strange things
does turn out"
How much pleasanter was the tete-a-
tete dinner than anything Alice had
dared to anticipate-the long, confden-
tial chat in the drawing-room afterward.
And the young man himself evidently
enjoyed it as much as she did,
II did not expect such reception as
this, he said, when the evening was we'll
advanced, and they began to feel quite
like old friends.
'Why not2"
cone reason is that you are rich and
am poor"
No reason at all, /" said Alice, color
ing hOtly.
NAnd am destined to earn my liveI-
hood as an artist.
"Well, what then2 l would like to
be an artist, were a man, 1t seems to
me one of the most beautiful and poetic
occupations one could choose
'Do you really think sol"
'Of course l do"
Alice's eyes sparkled-her mind was
electrically reused by contact with one
ripper and richer than itself.
1T will be very pleasant" she thought,
leaning back in her chair, her crochet
needle idly threading its way through
the meshes of colorcd wool. "He is so
handsome and so gentle-though l won
der why he don't speak more OF his
mothers recent loss. Perhaps the wound
still bleeds. What will Kate Jennings
sayT'
But, just as these thoughts passed
through her mind, there came a pro-
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