The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1888-10-10

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feeling it my duty to be moral. "Of |
course Miranda will scold if she finds
you, but you must bear 1t like man."
"Scoldn % repeated Bob, with scorn In
his subdued tones. "Do you think I'd |
care if it was only thatp
/ understood the full peril Of the
situation now. Miranda prded herself
on doing mothers duty to the mother
less boys, and knew that whatever her
hand found to do she did it with all her
might.
"And it's Just because amt a coward
don't want to meet her." went on Bob
evidently mindful of the traditions of
Fitzroger valor. "You see, Jack,
could hit back if she was man, but she
amt, you know, and of course no fel-
low who is gentleman ever hits a
woman"
"Robert," I murmured, "you are the
soul of chivalry."
"Oh, shut up, Jack Smithw and my
small brother- law elect held me with
desperate grip. 'Shc's coming inw
pecrcd cautiously between the heavy
curtains, and caught glimpse of
Miranda's lank form and lynx eyes. The
next moment she was vanishing, but she
stopped as Katie appeared at the door.
Kate" she said in her thin sharp
voice, al was looking for you. l think
you might help me to pot the jam. Smith
may not be here tonight, and if he
comes let him wait. How pale you lookl
can tell you, my dear, that your ap-
pearance has not improved since you
took up with Fitzherbert."
| stood with freezing blood behind
the curtains, wondering what awful
revelation was about to wreck my life's
happiness. In lightning flash of jeal-
Gus Imagination / saw Fitzherbert. No
doubt he was one Of the swells Katie
had met in London. A military swell,
one of those handsome, naughty guards
men | had read about in society novels.
miranda" said Katie, don't you
think I ought 10 tell Jack about Fitz-
herbertFn
mo, | don't" said Miranda, sharply.
az don't see why 'he interests of our
family are to he riskcd in collision
with the narrow mddlc.class prejudices
of Mr.. John Smith"
Katie's voice sounded little weary
when she spoke again.
"You know, Miranda, you were borri-
fed yourself when first told you about
Fitzhcrbert's proposal"
Miranda replied in tone Of cold supe-
riority.
81 was more open to conviction than
you would find Mr.. John Smith. We
who have been rooted in English soil for
eight centuries naturally take larger
views of life than mushrooms of yestcr-
day. Besides, your conduct in this af-
fair is justified by the example and ap-
proval Of women in the best society"
81 hate concealment." said Katie;
land Jack is so truthful himself, that |
can't bear the idea of deceiving him.
oh, Miranda, dear, l was so happy when
| Fitzherbert made me the oler that /
never stopped to wonder what Jack
would think about it, but now l am so
miserable that sometimes think l must
give up Fitzherbert."
/ "Rubb ish !" said Miranda, ''and self
/ ish rubbish too. / wonder, Kate Rogers,
how you can talk in that way, when you
/ know how useful Fitzherbert's money is
. tc your poor father"
Oh, this was too awful? Katie not
/ only false to me, but actually so mean as
to take money from her new lover. l
could stand it no longer. l wrenched
myself from poor little Bob's grasp, and
stood stcrnly facing the two girls.
Miranda fed from the room. Katie
| stood white and still.
''Pray do not give up Fitzhcrbert on
my humble account" l said scornfully.
"Do not let my vulgar prejudice in
favor of truth and honesty Interfere with
the wider morality of the best society.
Marry FitLherbert tomorrow, if you
like, and be as happy as you deserve to
be-"
The color rushed back into Katie's
face. The light sparkled in her eyes.
She actually laughed.
THANK you very much, Jack, " she
said, "but even with your kind per-
mission can't marry Fitzherbert. The
fact is" and her blue eyes danced,
"Fitzherbert is a married woman"
Then, with the crushing consciousness
of having made fool OF myself, l
listened humbly to Katie's little story.
Fitzherbert is West End milliner,
and was Aunt Clara's maid before her
marriage. Her name is not really Fitz-
herbert, but something quite ordinary,
like Brown or Smith-oh, | beg your
pardon, Jack She was always fond of
me, and often amused myself looking
lniONSh ASA hNh AhoAlOhos CuN hA1,
while | was waiting for Aunt Clara, who
had gone to her dentist. fussy old lady
came into the shop, and was very angry
because none of the new Paris bonnets
suited her. She was one of the best
customers, and poor Fitzherbert was in
despair when she was leaving the shop in
a rage. Well, Jack, have quite a genius
for millinery. One of our ancestors was
painter, aNd Aunt Clara says have his
artistic eye for color and form. Anyhow,
/ always seem to know exactly what suits
face. Ipersuaded the old lady to sit
down again, and with FitZherbert's per
mission, made a few alterations in one
particular bonnet. The result was so
becoming that the old lady was
charmed. You are heaven-born
milliner, my dear she said. why
don't you go in for that sort of thing?
1t is all the fashion among the
best people Aunt Clara called for me
presently, and was quite struck with the
new idea. After long talk with Fitz-
herbert, it was decided that | should go
to the shop every day, and qualify for
the position of millinery aide de.camp.
l became quite popular with the custom
ers, especially the elder ones love old
ladies, and delight in making them look
lovely, and some of them threatened TO