The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1889-11-13

ers, and vigorously famed itself for
nearly two hours. The graduates had
read their essays, and the chairman of
the school board had presented their di-
plomas and made short address.
Now it was the turn of the young mas
ter, aud the audience gave him n little
round Of cheers as he rose to speak the
parting words to the graduates. For
Phil Oakes was certain to say something
worth hearing.
So he did. The conventional senti-
ments about the voyage of life and the
port of success were for once neglected.
The young masters speech, was short,
but good; terse, but bright and interest
ing and amusing.
Amy looked and listened.
She was with her brother and sister
in-law, and she vas rather in doubt as TO
the thing she intended doing; but she
did not falter.
How nice he looked And his bright
eyes were turned toward her more than
once. And she had determined to do it
if it was eccentric.
She grasped firmly the handsome nose
gay Of flowers she had carefully arranged,
red and white and yellow roses, with
border of delicate ferns, and rs the young
master bowed, amid sincere applause, she
threw it with vigor directly at him.
There was general laugh at the novel
feature, and then a spreading 'Ah!" of
CONSERVATION.
The big bunch had hit the rather rick
4. a., a,,1 4s
the floor There was the expected crash
of breaking glass; brt worse, there was
burst of flame. The oil had caught
fire.
OF course there was panic. Even
men, in their first fright, pushed to-
ward the door. Women screamed and
children cried
Everybody was certain that the build
ing would burn, and there was a general
rush and hubbub.
But Amy stood still. Her sister-in law
had grown almost hysterical, and her
brother had borne her out, and called to
Amy to follow.
But she did not. She stood motion.
less and watched one figure on the plat
form.
Phil Oakes had snatched up the carpet
from the temporary platform, and was
valiantly smothering the flames.
Amy waited. She had done it! If he
was badly burned-if he was smothered
it would be her fault-hersl And
how differently she had meant it She
had been foolish, but surely she did not
deserve that her foolishness should be TO
his injury.
The time she stood miserably waiting
waiting till he should see and come to
her, as she knew he would (for he must
| know from whom that bouquet had Gomez
the time seemed endless.
! When he came, white faced but smiling,
! the tears rushed to her anxious eyes.
IL was such goose :" she said, "What
made me do it, You are burned--both
your hands--and i did itr'
"No, no. \ small burn or two
nothing!n said the schoolmaster, looking
| handsome as he bent toward her. "Don't
think it! have your flowers, and they
We're worth il! Are you alonei Let me
| take you home
| She took his arm. He was not much
hurt, and he held her flowers tightly in
his hand, and they were going out into
the cool night together, and she was
almost glad.
For otherwise she would be going
home with John and Margaret.
s'NIy sister-in-law was hysterical with
fright, " said Amy, laughing and half-cry'
ing together, and almost hysterical her
self. "Aud my brother took her home
He told me TO come, but /
"Your brother3" said Mr.. Oakes.
YES"
.And your sister.in-lawt'
"Why, yes.
but / haven't seen them" he ex
postulated.
s'But you haven't called on me, Amy
retorted, shyly.
"And I thought you were here alone,
he declared.
but I'm not, she replied, wonder
ing
The schoolmaster stopped short ant
faced her.
is it possible, he said, solemnly,-
lis it possible that that child is YOU
nephewl'
NOf course! What else could he be 2
Amy cried.
There was a silence of some minutes
II thought he was your-son," saiC
Phil Oakes, almost inaudiably. a"
thought you were widow"
"A widow :" she gasped.
She leaned against fence aud laughed
until she was weak
Il was sure you were widow, h'
said you had on black dress, 20,
know"
"With yellow bows on itln she re
piled, in a soft scream
'And the little 18th YOU"