The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1890-06-18
D0R0THY'S PET.
by HELEN FORREST GRAVES.


ooh, Neddy, you dear fellow, you love
me, if no one else does! Kiss me, dar-
ling Right on the mouth"
An old red barn, settled in one-sided
manner, down among the tall white dais-
les and clustering red clover-tops, as one
sometimes sees an old wreck settled
heavily among the drifted seasands---a
monster pine tree spreading its green
leaves above, the July sunshine sleeping
all the hills with yellow glory, and Colo
mel Crowninshield. standing, in a bewil-
dered manner, Just where the farm lane
opened, amid tangle of elderberry
bushes and blackberry briers, into the
dusty high road-this is the opening
scene.
Colonel Crowninshield had been walk.
ing rapidly; the black rings of hair
curled around his temples and the dews
dotted his forehead. In his cool summer
dress Of white linen, his broad -brimmed
Panama hat and the knotted bamboo
cane which he carried, he looked like the
pictures of Southern plauter--hand-
some, slim and middle-aged.
"Whom on earth is she talking to9''
he asked himself, as the clear, distinct
utterances of Dorothy Emmerick caught
his ear.
The color rose to his temples; a SOM
bre, jealous light glittered into his eyes.
"Wish me good luck, Ned!" the sweet
voice once more spoke. 'I've told you
about it--but no one else shall know.
You love me, Ned, don't youl"
SITS that good-for-nothing sailor
sweetheart of hers, come back from
South Africa, unknown to her parents "
thought the Colonel. "Ought l to in
terfereG She is so young and inexperi-
enced, and No, Hal Crowninshield,
old fellow" he added, setting his strong
white teeth together. "Do you happen
to know, you Paul Pry, what the elev-
enth commandment isl Well, it is Mind
your own businessn Dorothy Emmerick
Is only nineteen; you are seven-and-thir
ty. Leave her to associate with those of
her own age and go you into the society
of your own mature cronies! Yet ii
would be something to hear her sweet
voice uttering words like that to YOU"
And he walked on, ruthlessly cutting
off the white daisies with his cane, as he
made his way up to the house.
Five minutes later Dorothy flew in al
the back door, simple straw toque Gov
ering her sunshiny curls, muslin scarf
wrapped around her shoulders.
"Give me the package, Pamela, said
she. "Quick! Pm late already for the
train. And if l have good luck, yor
shall have y striped shawl, and Neddy
shall have such new saddle and bridler
The old servant smiled doubtfully az
she gave small, fiat parcel into the
eager girls hands.
"You're fairly daft about that stub.
born tempered gray donkey, Miss Doro'
thy" said she, ''as your pa says ain
safe for any woman to ride. All the same
l hope you'll have good luck, even if i
wasn't for the striped shawl that I'm tC
havc.n
1t was late in the afternoon wheI
Dorothy came slowly up the winding
path that led under bowery apple trees
and past thicket of tall poles garlandeC
with hop-vines, to the kitchen door.
All the brightness had gone out of he
face; the color had concentrated itsel
into two intense, burning spots on he
cheeks, and there was troubled quive
in her lips.
Old Pamela read her cOuntenance as ]
it had been an open book.
''No luck, eh!" said she.
"No luck at ALL" cried Dorothy
almost fercely.
''But what did you do with tn
pieturel"
''I threw it over the edge of Quar-,
Cliff as | came hcmc from the train,
admitted Dorothy. "Oh, it did m
good to hear it crash down among tn
limestone boulders The idea of m.
ever presuming to think that l could b
an artist And you'll have to wear you
old shawl, Pamela; and poor, poor littl
Neddy will have no new bride AM
saddle"
And Dorothy burst into tempest o
tears, and ran headlong out to tn
tumble-down old barn, behind whic
the sun was setting gloriously.
"pn tell Neddy all about i'll" erie
she. II always feel better after goo
cry on dear little Neddy's gray neck
''But, Miss Dorothy
The garden gate slammed so ylolentl