The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1886-01-06
.INo, noIv she snId, in dIstres.. .lbut

NO1 nOF bne shlui IN ulstIebnJ Dut
I-n
'Never mind, don't try to explain
yourself or your feelings. Let every
thing be just as it always has. Remem-
Der that / love you and let me come and
see you often" Pressing two fervent
kisses on her hands, he shot out of the
door and was of before Hazel had time
to turn around.
She gathered up her things and went
straight to her room. Then she threw
herself into large wicker chair and be-
gan rocking herself violently and scream
ing with laughter. This was succeeded
by fits of crying, and again more laugh
ter and tears, until exhausted, she
dropped lsleep in her chair with her
head resting on the broad arm When
awakened late in the day by her cramped
position and a raging headache, she was
too miserable TO think, or offer any re-
sistence, when her sister insisted on put
Sing her to bed. 1t was so unusual for
her to be i'll.
In the days that followed Hazel was
alternately merry and sad, very talkative
or absolutely silent for hours together.
She ate little and seemed restless and
nervous in the house, would start when
ever the door bell rang, and If it hap
pened to be Colonel Baker, she always
tried to escape to her room, and was in
variably engaged or mot at home. y
She spent much time out of doors, tax.
ing long walks even on severely cold
days. Her face grew pinched and lost
its color.
How long this state of affairs would
have continued il is impossible to say.
But for the intervention OF an accident,
the colonels efforts to win her love
would probably have never ceased to this
day.
Hazel was coming up the street one
day from the postoffice. There had been
storm of sleet and snow the day before
and the walks were treacherously slippery.
She was looking over her letters when
suddenly. right on crossing, her foot
slipped. There was a horse coming
around the corner. She never knew Just
what happened; she struck something
and felt herself being lifted, while we'll
known voice said, my Godl have
killed her Oh, my darling MY dar-
lingw Then all sensation vanished.
Some time later. when Consciousness
returned, sho found herself in bed with
frightened, fearful group around her
and DR.. Whitebeck calmly pouring some
thing down her throat. He had Just
put her displaced shoulder in order, and
she felt terrible dizziness in her head.
Then he ordered everybody out of the
room and lowered n window, saying she
must have more air. He wrote out his
prescriptions and was ready to leave. He
stepped to the side of the bed. Hazel's
eyes were closed, but the tears were run
ming down her temples. He set his teeth
together, but it was no use.
Forgive mel" he said, in a tone of
agonized entreaty. "Oh, God might
have killed you"
Hazel opened her eyes very wide. She
gave him look which said plainly:
Il love YOU" and with faint smile
closed her eyes again.
In moment he was on his knees be-
side the bed, and, quivering with long
passion, he exclaimed:
Hazel, Hazel, my darling Do you
love met Do you9 Tell me, love Ohg"
he went on, 81 never meant to tell you
this; not until had something more to
offer than an empty hand; but love
you with all the strength of my being.
Do you forgive mel"
She smiled again and said, "There is
nothing to forgive, dear"
Then he bent over and kissed her
again, oh, so fondly. "Tell me, dear
est, that you will be mine some day.
must hear you say it.
"Oh, she answered with little sigh
Of happiness, ''I am entirely yours"
There is little more to tell. Her recov-
cry was rapid. with a physician and
lover in one. The colonel found out his
But at the wedding Hazel
to her first bridesmaid, Effie,
that she thought first proposals lucky.
The colonel had sent her lovely dia-
mond bracelet for wedding present -
Detroit FFee Press