The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1889-02-06

summerl" he ended, courageously. "But
Pm in for a month here now"
She looked at him breathlessly, her
heart beating hard.
Did he mean it7 But she knew he
did. And he hadn't an idea of Philos
existence. She wished that she had not.
The doctors nephew rose impulsively.
"Come, Miss Gilman" said he ''don't
let's sit here pokily. We never were
poly, you know. Let's have a ramble.
Isn't there an ostensibe purpose-an OBJ
ject of interest, or somethingp
She smiled, with an inward conflict
of gladness and misgiving.
There's the willow arbor, down by
the marsh; it's pretty there" she fall
tered.
Hank Lee had released Philo; he was
turning this way, with his loose gait, his
hands in his pockets.
Il love willow arbors," cried the
doctors nephew. at there's anything
I've always adored and yearned for it's
a willow arbor. You'll GO"
81 don't know" said Cora, wstfully.
But Mr.. Hill knew. Philo Wilson, at
any rate, stood the next moment staring
after their disappearing figures.
1t was not quite eleven by Mr.. Hills
handsome time-piece when they started
but it was fully one when they got back.
They had forgotten the picnic, almost,
wandering among the willows in some
thing more than contentment, aud it was
dire necessity to have to come back to
it.
'tBut they'll be having dinner, you
sayl" said Mr.. Hill. "And they'll eat
at that long table, all together9 Well,
I'll get seat By you, by hook or crook"
But dinner was late. The fiddlers had
arrived, and been pressed into early SER
vice. The platform was filled with
waltzers-to get up their appetitcs, they
said, while their elders waited hungrily
for that process to be completed
"Ah' said the doctors nephew,
blithely. "Will you give me the first,
Miss Gilman, and as many more as your
card will permit"
They were laughing at that as they
went toward the platform But they
did not ascend it, Philo stood on the
lower stair, like a spider in wait for
fly.
"It's about time, seems to me-" he
observed, his dull face lighted by a spark
of anger. "l've ben looking round for
you for two hours. l guess I'll have
the first dance, if you Just as lief"
There was sharp resentment in his
pale-lashed eyes.
Cora bit her red lips, her face afame.
But she spoke quietly.
"Mr Wilson was my escort, Mr..
Hill" she said. 81 /"
She could not finish. She tried to
smile, but her lips only trembled.
Tho 1nnt,,e'e L. H.
over from head to foot, and bowed
silently, little paler than his wont, and
turned away.
81 didn't mean to make you mad,"
said Philo, better disposed now that he
triumphed. "But | was kind o. put
out Your folks didn't like it, neither;
! told 'em you was off with him. Wal,
let's have o waltz" he concluded, con-
scious of extreme magnanimity.
81 shall not dance said Cora.
Her pretty eyes blazed scornfully upon
him. He had told cher folks" She
could have laughed if she had not been
so hotly miserable. What did he thinkl
''Iou will find me a seat, if you
please" she said.
But Fhilo dld not hear her. His eyes
were fixed on figure at a little distance
"a figure which walked unsteadily with
swinging arms.
"Jem Murray!' he muttered, amazed
ly.
The eyes of the entire picnic were
focused on Jem Murray, and with equal
bewilderment Jem alone was uncon-
cerned. lie was the chief blot on the
towns respectabiity; brainless fellow,
half shoemaker aud half vagabond, gen.
orally idle and never sober. How Jem
Murray had got to the picnic was a
startling mystery; but he was there un-
questionably, and as questionably
drunk.
His progress ,;as not barred; there
was some hesitation about barring it.
He staggered on, marking his course
with amiable comments.
"Nishe day, nishe plashe, nishe lot o.
girls. Keep right 'long"-for the fiddlers
had irresolutely stopped-"kee right
long; goin' to have danshe m'self."
He was grinning with the pleasure of
this vague notion. 1t took clearer form
in his muddled head.
"Goin' to have danshe," he repeated.
"Here-here'sh girl now"
He was standing before Cora, his
blinking eyes on her banched face and
his shaking arm extended.
She caught at her companion des-
peratedly; but Philo backed oil, his face
as pale as her own. He had never
tackled" Jem Murray, and he did not
care to do it now.
"See here, now," he began, weakly.
But ,lem was oblivious.
"Wal, IN waltin'," he observed.
He touched Cora's sleeve; but he did
no more. lie was laid on his back the
next minute by a sharp blow on the
face, and the doctors nephew stood
threateningly above him. There were
half dozen Others meditating the same
act, but the doctors nephew had dis
tanced them.
Phio stood open.mouthed. Cora was
nervously crying, but Mr.. Hills arm was
through hers protectingly.
Jem Murray was got on his feet and
hurried away by score of hards, aud
the hero of the occasion had an approv-
ing group around him, and Coras father
was Of the number.
"You did that mighty neat" was the
general verdict.
81 could not see a lady insulted," 4" the
young man responded, a little stifiy,
with an eye on Philo, and Philo grew
red under it.
Cora's tremulous fingers family pressed
her cOmDaniOn's arm