The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1889-08-14
THE DRESSMAKER.

"Ycs, I'm up early" said Mrs. Ford,
leaning over the side paling to talk to hel
next neighbor. ''I'm going to have q
dressmaker to-day to start my Henrietta
cloth. She lives in town"-Mrs. Ford's
charming home was little out-'and
my brother jim has gone for her with
the dog-cart. Stowe is her name: !
haven't even seen her. l sent Bobs nurse
girl to engage her."
"StoweS There, now, I guess you've
done H. said Mrs. Sayles, raising her in
quisitive little upturned nose, with
brisk enjoyment to Mrs. Ford's tall
blonde prettiness. SIT isn't best to have
her If there's young man IN the house.
They all fall in love with her so they say.
She's pretty, you know, in that SNOWY
sort of way-red hair and pink cheeks
and guess she knows it. Mrs. Ritter
had her while back, and Paul Ritter
was crazy after her; and they say she
flirted with him awfully, aud then threw
him over. presume she thought she
could do better. He isn't so well off as your
brother Jim, for instance said Mrs.
Sayles, shrewdly smiling.
"But jim, said Mrs. Ford, serenely-
"Jim never falls in love. He never has
once, do you know? think it's because
he's so superior to all girls. Oh, yes, of
course, l should feel dreadfully! feel
that jim is on my responsibility while
he's with me, and l should be broken
hearted. But there isn't the least danger
with jim
The dog-cart was rolling in the drive,
and Mrs. Ford went across the smooth
lawn, with siX-year-old X oh at her
heels.
Jim-tall and blonde, and handsome
like his sister-was driving slowly to the
horse block. He was turned sauarclv
toward the dressmaker, and his gailv-
enthusiastic tones were audible to Mrs.
Ford.
He did not appear to know when he
had reached the block; he talked alb
sorbedly on. Mrs. Ford was thankful
that Mrs. Sayles was out of hearing.
"Jim!' she said.
And Jim jumped out, lifted the dress
maker down, presented her to his sister.
walked with her up to the porch steps
and pulled forth chair. lie was brisk
and smiling.
Mrs. Ford sighed with relief that the
bay window hid them from Mrs. Sayles.
"We'ye nice view from here, don't
You think, Miss Stowe?n said jim, eagerly.
"Those woods over there, with the break
where the sky"
81 have everything ready for you,
think. Miss Stowe, said Mrs. Ford, dis
tinctly, and took Miss Stowe indoors.
She intended sewing in the dining
room-it was large and cool and light;
but it was on that account that Jim was
wont to lounge there. The upstairs hall
would do. There was u window at the
back.
She took Miss Stowe up stairs.
''It's rather warm" she apologized,
"but it will be cooler later. ~
1t would not be cooler before five
o'clock but Mrs. Ford congratulated her
self warmly. For Miss Stowe was pretty,
with a 1.-the form in a blue gown, and
hair not red but darkly auburn, and
cheeks not vulgarly pink but softly tinted,
and bright eyes.
'lt Il very comfortable she said,
cheerfully. II will take your measure.
Shall you like basque?"
And Mrs. Ford forgot jim in pleasur-
able plannings.
But at the end of fifteen minutes there
was clatter below ana a rush up stairs.
"Why, I've been looking for you every
where!" said jim, in injured tones, lift
ing Rob from his shoulder TO the top
stair.
He sat down in the window seat. Miss
Stowe sat near the window.
"is there anything you want, Jin2"
SAID his sister, with severe eyes upon
him.
But 1t was doubtful whether Jim heard.