The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1888-04-11

takes.
"Iike yours, for instance" she said,
critically
He seemed a tri1e annoyed. care
you engaged, them" he exclaimed.
She shook her head. "No: and vet
am considering some one. It is some
one who has been good friend to me
for years, and whom l admire immense
ly."
81 admired Marion" he said, quickly,
''but let me assure you that it was not
with very much foundation. Do you re-
member my telling you that evening how
mistaken l was in fancying that clever
woman was all that one needed in q
wifc2n
eyes We were sitting up in the studio. -
And that was the first evening | ever
thought Of what there was really to care
about in life. You seemed, with all the
cynicism you prided yourself upon, to
understand what was really vitality worth
anything. That was just week before
papa hired the villa at Richmond"
'And two years before | saw you
again"
"Ah, but, my friend, :" exclaimed Por-
TIA, lowering her voice slightly, as a
large elderly woman who seemed to have
lost her party, drifted near them, "what
days those we're viii you ever forget
the mornings on the river, or the old
Inn where we took tea when the thun-
der shower came upp'
"And the landlady mistook us for
bride and groom, " he said, joyously.
II remember it all, she went on, and
| am glad to talk to you aboutit, because
you remind me of the man l am think
ing of-accepting; and | want you to
tell me whether everything you used to
say and do in those days was sincere"
Hale cid not exactly relish being COM
pared to the man Miss Day was contem-
plating marrying, but he said, promptly
enough: whatever | seemed to be to
you, you may be sure | was. | always
felt happy enough with you to be natural
and true to the best that was in me. AS
well as | remember, l said everything to
you that crossed my mind. No woman
ever had better opportunity of judging
of man"
She nodded her head brightly. {" So
l supposed" she said softly; "and |
Judged YOU to be more in love than you
were aware Of"
al believe" he said, decidedly, "that
never really cared for Marion Van
Buren, at all If she had not Tilted me
and married old Skelton, | would no
doubt have married her and been pro.
foundly miserable
Portia was thoughtful for n moment.
and then said: al am sure that Won were
in love. but YOU did not understand YOUR
self. This man whom am. as told YOU,
considering. has been really in love with
me long time. but he is clinginp to an
absurd fancy of LOYALTY to another wo-
man. and therefore has never had exact.
ly the courage to sneak. Now | have
thought a great deal about him lately.
and made up nv mind TO nut him to the
test Give me your dyice Would Won
consider il unwomauly on nv mart If |
were 10 take some means of showing him
that | care for him"
you are making things yery difficult
for me-" said Hale. almost anprily.
GLOW am | TO advise YOU to show
another man that YOU love himp
ave have lust ten minutes more TO
remain, l believe" the girl said, in a low
voice, and laying one of her hands gently
on Hale's arm. "Remember YOU must
find Marion. She promised me to be
here by quarter of oner
II shall not look for her. " said Hale.
.sRemember. > said Portia ouicklv.
"what Won told me once-that If she
were a widow YOU could trust yourself
TO meet her. Wait Let us 90 into the
Blue Room. and if she is there. look
at her from a distance before YOU
speak"
They rose. and almost at the entrance
of the room paused suddenly. for the lady
they had come TO seek was standing a few
PAGES beyond-a tall fair woman. with
something oueenly in her manner that
made her distinguished in any place, and
gave her now an air of importance even
in this notable spot. Hale experienced
a shock which seemed almost physical.
What ghostly thing had he been cherish
ing all these wears and calling it disap-
pointed loyef He turned TO Portia and
almost laughed aloud.
"She is what she always was. "he said.
ioyously. "Portia, thank YOU for bring
ing about this meeting; but listen TO me.
Do not ask me to counsel YOU in regard
to this-other man. Let me tell YOU
what have had it in nv heart and on
my lips dozen times to saw
But Portals self confidence had van
ished. The girl was trembling and un-
nerved. Hale drew her back into the
Red Room.
"Never mind where we are. ~he said