The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1888-05-30

! lceJ nlRn-CeTtdlnly not ulOTe tuuu InIcc |
feet high-I trottcd you on my kneep |
said Mr.. Proggett, excitedly.
Gussy grew pink. Mr.. Proggett's re-
marks were piercingly audible. The
young man opposite looked up in
startled way. The two old ladies turned
astonished faces toward them.
81 knew you as an infant see you
now in the full flower Of womanhood!"
Mr.. Proggett went on.
lie put hands on his knees and held
back for good view of the flower of
womanhood. His sharp eyes twinkled
admiringly.
Gussy clasped her hands together with
in her mulf. The young man looked
steadily at the floor. The old ladies
stared.
Mr. Proggctt gazed at her in silence
for several moments.
81 have been for many years without
the soft refinement of woman's compan-
ionship," he proceeded at last, pensively.
"IIer sweet sympathy, her gentle care,
her tender love is n sealed book to me-"
He sighed loudly and edged little
closer to Gussy. She drew away alright
edly, but Mr.. Proggett moved after her
"A sealed book. And yet, have
lllOuShb, huNt ipDNd liihb sum hhBDi-
ness may yet be mine. l now believe
it."
Mr.. Proggett leaned closer, his lips
parted in tenderly persuasive smile, his
eyes aglow with eagerness.
my dear young lady," he went on,
pantingly, "be not alarmed at my sud
denness. Remember that knew you
in your infancy. Think only of my
/ urtt,n nffaptinp of my HaUpfinu
Accept the heart of one who faithfully
adores YOU"
Gussy sat stunned and motionless.
The two old ladies shared her fright
They clutched their black hand bags and
half rose from their seats. The
young man turned hurriedly and looked
out of the window.
"Look not at my gray hairs. Remem-
Der that my heart is young and fresh ~
Mr. Proggett implored, wildly-''and
that its store of pent-up affection, the
growth of years, is Yours-all yoursn
Gussy stared at him in helpless, trem-
bling horror. She saw dimly that the
two old ladies were hurrying toward the
door, in which the conductor stood
broadly grinn:ng. She herself was
: weakly unable TO move.
Mr.. Progett peered into her face in
deep agitation. Then, with a placid de-
Liberation of movement at strange va.
rance with his heated face and glowing
eyes, he placed himself on his knees at
her feet
7 he two old ladies, glancing back
ward, screamed family as they stepped
oil the car; the conductor laughed un-
restrainedly; the young man, with a
faca Of srrouo alorun Starta1 forward
"Do not doubt me-" Mr.. Proggett was
saying shrilly. "Do not hesitate to ac-
cept the lifelong de .otion of heart
which beats for you alone! have long
t awaited this opportunity; long have /
| hoped and prayed"
Gussy pulled herself together with a
D mighty effort. Her heart was humping
furiously and her head whirling around
She looked up and met the eyes of the
: strange young man fixed upon her with
/ solicitous anxiety.
In another moment-she could not
have told how it happened she was out
5 side the car, under friendly grocery
, awning; the strange young man, laden
with her mutf, her pocket t-book, the re-
/ mains of her marsh-mallow, and her
/ three bundles, was at her side; the car
J was rolling on.
"Thank you-thank you so much !''
she said, gaspingly. "I-I don't know
, what / should have done"
, She looked up at a lamp-post.
/ ~ am only four blocks from home, "
she sad, trying to smile, and made a
movement to relieve him of his burden.
| But she was pale and her voice was
unsteady, and the young man bowed
negatively.
a will see you to your door if you
will permit me, he said.
They walked on, in a palpitating si-
lence. Gussy was trembling still; her
cheeks were red and pale by turns, with
the embarrassment of her lingering hor-
/ ror. Her companion kept his eyes con-
siderately turned away.
ell think" said Gussy family,
"that he isn't in his right mind. He
, must have been insane!'
, " am sure of it, the young man re.
| sponded, in respectfully sympathetic
} tones.
And they smiled at each other, in
relief.
Gussy's father came out at the door Of
his dignified brown-stone house as they
paused at the foot of the steps.
He nodded to his daughter, but at the
sight of the strange young man he
stopped short.
"Well, Delaney Tatum!" he acul.
ated, "where did you fall from! Where
did you find him, Gussyl Upon my
word, l didn't know you knew him, my
dearn
Mr.. Coleman turned about and dragged
the young man up the steps
The latter looked at Gussy in gallant
silence.
II don't know him, papa" Gussy
G murmured; "but he-he-on the car
Il was able to be of some slight assist.
ance to Miss Coleman Delaney Tatum
interposed, with gentlemanly serious,
ness. "We had not the slightest notion
of our respective identities / am ex-
ceedingly happy to meet you, Miss Cole
! man.
lie met Miss Coleman's eye In that
brief glance, Mr.. Proggetts proposal
was forever sealed to the knowledge OF
the world.
Mr.. Delaney Tatum was prevailed
. upon to stay to lunch.
Gussy's opinion of him may be gath
! cred from the succinct description OF
! him with which she favored particu,
r lar friend. She said he was "just sweet. d
l., - I. L