The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1889-02-27

mucn shocked and appalled, Tor that.
Good heavensl this was far worse than
anything he had imagined. His head
fairly buzzed; he sat staring at Dora's
sister in utter blankness.
''Pretty big place you've got here,
hain't your Miss Trumbull proceeded,
her cordially unaffected by his silence.
considerable bigger'n Gordon Centre,
l guess. hain't never ben in cities
much, and l get kind O. turned round
in 'em. don't know as / should like
1t living here. It's so kind o. lonesome.
meeting so many people you amt
acquainted with. Why, in Gordon
Centre there amt ANYBODY in town you
don't know; and if you do see stranger,
it amt very hard to find out who tits" J."
Burton gasped. Was it possible that
Dora could have believed what she had
said about her sister, Yes; he reflected
that Dora had not seen her before for
some time, and her fondness for her, and
her good tempered admiration of every
body, had done the rest.
Burton gazed at her Her clothes did
not fit she had string of beads on, and
a blue bow and a breast-p at her neck,
and red ribbons on her hair. Pretty
Yes, she was undeniably pretty; that he
admitted freely. But stylish, and not
provinciall What could Dora have been
thinking Off
The young man passed his hand across
his forehead weakly.
81 s'pose I'd have ben here long ago, {"
Dora's sister went on, serenely, ''if /
hadn't ben of to school. Dora, she's
told you I've ben to boarding school for
four years, s'pose2 Most all the Cor
don Centre girls get along with what
learning they can get to home, and |
think myself it's plenty. But pa, he
thought different, and ma Joined in with
him. She most generally does. Idon't
know as | learnt much. The East Low
Vile Seminary don't amount to so terri
BILE much. East Lowville amt so big as
Gordon Centre; but pas satisfied, l
s'pose Ever ben out our wayi"
81 have never had that pleasure,
Burton contrived to say.
'Well, it's real likely place, Gordon
Centre is, if it amt so big as some.
There's considerable going on most all
the year. There'd ben two sociables
the week before come away, and there
was going to lie warm-sugar party that
night, hated to miss it. Do you have
much going on here2'
Burton took out his watch and dazedly
consulted it.
'We have no socables uor warm sugar
parties, he responded, grimly.
And then he rose.
81 am sorry to be obliged to go but l
have an engagement at twelve, a" he said,
bowling.
lie would have retired without further
ceremony, but Dora's sister intercepted
him with outstretched hand.
"Goodne,s you hain't ben here above
fifteen minutes" she said, regretrully.
'Well, come in aga n-drop in any time.
| dom know jest how long I'll c here
long as Dora'll keep me, s'pose."
She talked on with friendly conf
dence accompanying him to the door,
and standing by while he put on his hat
and overcoat.
He was aware, as he went rapidly
dowh the street, that she was standing
In the doorway and watching his de.
parture.
He spent the rest of the day in trying
to forget Dora's sister, but he found it
not altogether possible; he had been too
deeply astonished and Mortified. He
had no. expected much, he reflected
somewhat wrathfully over a cigar in his
ofce; but what he had found. And
Dora's description Surely love and
sisterly love particularly-was blind.
He was glad it was the night of the
Gills's reception, If anything was calcu-
lated to remove unpleasant impressions,
ii was one of the Gills's receptions. He
wondered, with qualm, whether Alfred
and Dora would go-and take Miss
Trumbull. Of course they had cards.
Well, at least he could keep a safe dis
tance.
Almost the first person he saw, as he
entered the Gills's spacious but crowded
rooms, was his sister-in-law. She
greeted him eagerly.
1--WE were so afraid you wouldn't be
here. l do want Lucy to have a good
time, and it will be so much nicer to
have somebody she knows. You'll take
her out for the first set, won't you2 un-
less she's engaged"
"Miss Trumbull Is here" said Burton,
wretchedly.
"Why, yes, of course" Dora re Joined,
briskly. There she is. Doesn't she look
lovelyl And she's taking so well! Mr.
Sanford has been with her ever since we
came, and he never looks at a girl. But
| don't want him to get the first set,
Burton dear. Do hurry"
She took his arm, led him over to the
group she had been watching, and
tripped away.
The group was composed of one young
lady and six gentlemen; and the young
lady was Dora's sister.
she smiled on Burton graciously, and
went on talking TO Mr.. Sanford, who
looked radiant, bestowing an occasional
smile upon one of the other FIVE young
men, who in turn looked happy.
She wore charmingly- fashioned,
perfectly fitting, and wonderfully pretty
gown, and she looked dazzliEgly p city
herself. Her sole ornament was a bunch
of roses at her corsage.
She waited her black gauze fan, and
sparkled across it in all the glory of
black eyes, white teeth and pink cheeks.
"Oh, don't know that am prepared
TO admit that, Mr.. Sanford" she was
saying with light laugh. 'rm aware
OF the vanity and shallowness of society
in general; but l dent admit that every
individual composing society is vain or
shallow. | believe that a good share of
the pleasure -seekers-thOse who seem
mere pleasure seekers--are as serious at
heart as the cynics and pedants who hold
aloof. i believe that certain amount
of social gaiety is necessary to ones .
happiness-yes, and welfare. Emerson '