The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1886-11-10

Husb those were surely the rumbling,
sonorous tones of the Squire himself
81 s'pose, Hail." said he, with
chuckle, 'you consider me too old for
that sort o. thing"
"Well, l don't know" the good
farmer replied, slowly. "Tastes differ"
''But eff I've took fancy to the little
thing"
"Hum |" said Mr.. Hall, doubtfully.
"And I'll give her real good home.
Every bit as good as she has here"
'I never doubted that. Mr.. Silber"
"Ill go bail she'll be happy with me-"
"She ought to be happy with you
sartin, squire"
"Come," said silber, insinuatingly,
sis it bargain2"
II can't take it on me to decide" said
Mr.. Hall, meditatingly. "You must ask
Narcissa your own self, Mr.. Silber."
"But you don't think she'll object"
81 don't know, F" said Mr. Hall, shaking
his head-'I don't know. Girls are
queer. There's never no telling which
way they'll jump. You ask her yourself,
l say"
But Narcissa did not wait for the
sequel of this strange discussion. Her
cheeks blazed crimson; her eyes sparkled
like jet stars as she caught her pink
gingham sunbonnet off its nail behind
the kitchen door, and leaving the jars of
garnet-colored sweetness ou the table,
sped away over the daisy spangled fields
to certain upland meadow, where Wal
ter Milliman was Harvesting the old
horses to a glittering moving machine.
'Narcissal ~ he cried, in amsLement
"What's the matter7 What has hap
pened2"
She caught nervously at his arm.
ooh, Walter" said she, Il am so
frightened II don't know what it all
means. don't know what 1 ought to
dop
He hung the bride over an old stump,
and led Narcissa into the shadow of an
umbrella. like oak that grew near the
stone fence.
"Tell me all about it." said he.
1t was strange how each had settled
into his and her relative position-Nar
cissa clinging, trusting, hiding herself,
as it were, under the egis of his protec-
ton. Walter calmly superior in the
midst of his tender sclicitude.
"Why, child" said he, ''the old idiot
wants to-marry youw
Narcissa crimsoned to the very roots
of her hair.
II thought so" she whispered. 'T
was almost certain of it. But-but what
am / to do2"
He took both her little cold hands in
his.
"Don't be frightened, Narcissa," said
he. You can't marry two people at
once, can your
o-at least, I suppose not"
"And you're engaged to me, aren't
you9"
'If you say so, Walter, " hanging down
her head.
81 do say SO, Narcissa And now let
me take you home. Wen see whether
old Silber is to have everything his own
way or not"
"But the horses, Walter9"
They'll stay here, ,contentedly enough,
until come back, pet-never fear. Oh,
by-the-way, Narcissal little Dorette is in
the basket under the hedge. haven't
given her to Alice Jeffreys yet"
"Oh, Walter, do get her" whispered
Narcissa. 1.-THE little, white, fluffy dar
ling I've been thinking of her ever
since-ever since you went away. And,
Walter" (nervously playing with the
button of his coat, Il told you horrid
story about the parrot. couldn't en-
dure the screeching thing, and Billy
johnson took it away three days ago"
"Narcissa, you are the dearest little
girl in the world !" cried the enraptured
lover.
"No, am not" confessed the fair
penitent. II am cross deceitful,
treacherous-"
But here the catalogue of sins was cut
short with absorbing kisses.
Squire Silber, rubicund and portly
| gentleman, we'll on in the forties, sat on
the porch, tanning himself and waiting.
while Mr.. Hall peered restlessly up aud
down the road.
''Here she is now," said Hall, with a
long sigh of relief, as his daughter came
up, with Mr.. Milliman carrying her pink
sunbonnet as reverently as if were a
queens crown. "Narcissa, here's Squire
Silber wanting to speak to you."
''Aliss Narcissa-" ingratiatingly com
menced the stout gentleman.
''It's of no use, said Narcissa, putting
both hands to her little, pink ears. 81
never, never will consent ~
Eyes; but won't you hear me, Miss
Mar"
''No, no, mo-" and Narcissa stamped
her foot with renewed emphasis.
''Hear reason, daughter, " gently urged
the farmer-"hear reason!"
''But l don't want to hear reason, "
said Narcissa, almost crying.
"He'd be just as good to the little
horse as you yourself would be, said the
farmer; 'and $500 is price that don't
often come our way. He's going to train
her 70; trotter, don't you see"
"To train who" said Narcissa.
''What are you ia king about2"
"About little Mamie, the bay mare,
explained her father esquire Silber
wants to buy her He's taken fancy to
her, but told him she e'ongs to you,
aud it is for you TO decide the matter.
Say yes or say mol won't interfere"
'tOh he NAV have her in welcome y