The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1889-05-22

over with lat black ralsins.
II was almost as difficult for Mr.
Avenel TO make up his mind as it had
been for Madeline Murray this dreary
March night
On the next Monday afternoon one of
the round-eyed little school-boys ran after
her, crying out;
Teacher-teacherl here's letter for
you'll Hold on minute, teacherl
Waitl"
'Nonsensel" said Madeline, sharply.
She had bad four different labels at
tached to her gown that day; her lunch
basket had had its contents extracted and
replaced with shavings; the "Key to Al
gcbra" had been skillfully substituted for
"First Lessons in Grammar" and num-
berless other facetious jokes had been
played on her by those young lambs, her
scholars, and she was in no mood for any
more impositions.
"Gen'leman told me to give it to
you!" breathlessly uttered the boy. ''He
gimme dime, he did"
But Madeline slipped past him into the
house, taking advantage of the door be-
ing just then opened by Miss Blodgett,
in NIL the glories of a cheap summer silk
and the bonnet newly quivering with
honeysuckles.
''Boy!" said Miss Blodgett, severely,
''what are you doing here2 None of
your April-fool jokes in this house, unless
you want me to send for a policeman"
81 amt a-April fooling!" said the boy,
with an injured voice. ''It's letter for
her-for teacher"
who was not without her fair share of
Madam Ewes inheritance.
IA gentleman" said the boy. ''He
gimme a silver dime, he did"
''Let me look at it, ;" said Miss Blod-
gett; and in an instant she recognized the
straight, clear handwriting of John
Avencl. ooh, yes, see I'll take
charge Of it, young man."
"Will you be sure teacher gets it2"
eagerly painted the lad. - Cause he
gimme "a"
"It's all right" said Miss Blodgett,
turning back into the house and running
hurriedlv mp to her own room.
"Th. must be fate in it," said she,
untyiug tine new, rustling bonnet-strings.
81 wonder what he can possibly have to
say to her. I'll Just hold the letter over
the tea-kettlc spout for a minute-it's
easy sealed up again-and if it should be
nothing but an April-fool-"
She giggled nervously as she stole
down into the kitchen to borrow a kettle
of boiling water.
But it was no April fool missive. 1t
was simple, straightforward declaration
of love-a laying of Mr.. Avenel's heart
and hand at Madeline bIurray's feet.
"If you care for me-" he wrote, ''come
down to the parlor tonight. l shall be wait
ing there more anxiously than | can tell you
II you do not come, | shall never utter a
word of reproach TO you. You have right
to your own decisionn
Miss Blodgett read the letter. She
gnawed her full, red lnderlip, and took
her resolution in the twinkling of an eye.
She put away her snowy walking gar
ments, assumed wrapper, and deluged
her forehead with cologne.
And then she sent for Miss Murray to
come and sit with her.
"You have so much magnetism in your
touch, dear" she said "If you will
only sit by me and stroke my head"
And gentle Madeline, all unconscious
of the black treachery in Antoninas heart,
was only too glad to be of use.
Mr.. Avenel was unwontedly pale when
he came to the breakfast-table the next
day.
Madeline glanced timidly at him, but
ycntured to say nothing but the mcrest
"Good morningl"
Antonina, however, followed him out
into the hall when the meal was over.
Forgive me, Mr.. Avenel,n said she,
in her sweetest voice; ''but cannot with
hold my sympathy for the cruel way in
which you have been treated. 1 couldn't
have believed it of Madeline Murray!n
He turned quickly around.
"IOu know all about it, them" said
he.
81 told her it was wrong to laugh at
you. Oh, Mr.. Avenel do not look stern.
There are other women in the world be
sides Madeline Murray. Oh, if such
treasure had been offered to me-
She stopped abruptly, and hung down
her head, with pretty afTectation of con
fusion.
"Pray do not distress yourself" said
Avenel, coldly. 81 am sorry that l have
an imperative engagement this morning" "
He bowed, and FASTENED up stairs.
Antonina looked after him with an
oblique light in her bold, handsome
eyes.
81 was little premature, she thought.
"But no matter. He can't fling back
my sympathy-and time will work Won
ders. shall be Mrs Avenel yet"
And she sauntered into the drawing
room to finish yesterdays dog's-eared
novel. For Miss Blodgett was by far too
fine lady to work for her living.
As John Avenel stepped out into the
fresh air, ten minutes or so. later, he
found himself close alongside of Miss
Murray
She was looking unusually pretty, in
her simple straw hat and close-fitting |
jacket; her blue eyes frightened, and a
tide of warm color mounted into her
cheek
"oh, Mr., Avenel, " said she, Il am so
glad to see you!"
"Are you2"
"You see, said Madeline, shyly, 81
b., L.