The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1890-06-11

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ask Dorothy my question, day after day
slipped by, and it was.still unasked. The
last day of my visit came. was to
leave by the last train, at ten O'Clock. /
passed the day with Dorothy, but SAID
no word TO her of whatiwas on my heart
Dinner time came, and still l had said
nothing. Lady Pownceby went to sleep
in the drawing room, while Dorothy and
sat in our favoritc seats 10y the win
dow.
care you sorry your holiday is overl"
Dorothy asked.
"Vcry, ~ / said laconically.
Another silence
"Will you have much work when you,
get homeln she said.
al hope So"
Silence again.
"You will forget all about us
"Never."
A quarter to o. And the kcart was to
come for me at 9:15.
was in a dreadful state. was hot
and cold by turns. l couldi not sit still
Nine o'clock!
Still l had not asked lmy question.
Many times | had openedlmy mouth to
begin; then something seemed to grip
my throat, and could not utter word
Five minutes past 9
was in agonyl | looked out of the
window; l took out my watch; played
with the chain; l crossed and uncrossed
my legs; l blurted out;
care you sorry am goingln
"Of course. You have been very pleas
ant company"
l thought she spoke coldly, and
thought again of the cat and the curate.
"May hope that you would be pleased
to see me again?" d
"Oh, yes!"
Silence!
Ten minutes past ninel
dorothy"
"Yes?n
"Wlll you-can you-are you engaged
to the curate?"
"Oh, no! How absurd"
"Can you-will you-do you-would
you like to be marriedF"
II don't know" she laughed.
"Would you-could you-Dorothy-
must tell you-"
S-s-s-s-shl! A prolonged hiss
startled us both. / had come close to
Dorothy, and my right hand was APP
preaching hers. | felt n sharp pain in
my forefnger; and the white cat flew out
of the window recess, glared and spat
upon me, and sprang into Dorothy's lap!
/ stood up and cursed that cat; Dorothy
uttered a little cry; Lady Pownceby
awoke, and said: "Dear mel Have |
been asleeps" and servant entered and
said: "The dog cart is waiting for Mr.
Oswald Jones"
had time only to see my boxes car
ried out and to take a hurried farewell
of my hostess and her niece, and then
was driven away to the station. And l
had not asked my question.
II.
For the next two months I devoted
myself exclusively to my work. But
for that cat, might now have been the
happiest instead of the most miserable
of mortals. l began to see dimly that
had made a fool OF myself. had had
months in which to say my say 10
Dorothy; and then what an exhibition
l had made of myself at the last mo-
ment
On the morning of Christmas Day, /
found when l came down stairs from
my bedroom a large hamper. What
pictures in my mind of mince pies and
other Christmas delicacies! What
anticipation of the delight Of teeth
meeting teeth in the seasonable turkey
raised the lid-but drew back with
almost a scream, for out Of the basket
sprang, not vivifed mince pies or
resuscitated turkey, but my sworn enemy,
/ the white catl
What surprise What disappointment!
What disgust What my still greater
surprise when the cat, instead Of splitting
and swearing at me as was her wont at
Darlington, now raised her inof-
fensive tail and arohed her graceful back,
and rubbed her irreProachable white fur
against my legs The cat had become
friendly toward me.
came TO the conclusion that deliber-
ate insult had been intended. / grew
exceedingly wrathful. Aud felt scep-
tical of the love which could cor sign is
object to the tender mercies Of a railway
guard. But second thoughts induced
me to believe that Dorothy must have
had an object in sending her cat 10 me
Dorothy loved me, and wanted me, and
had sent her favorite TO me as a messen-
ger of peace and good will. She had
placed the cat in my hands; what could
She mean but that she preferred me far
above the catg could just catch the
1915 train. ] consigned the cat to the
care of my landlady, and rolled off in a
ooh ~ Wntarloo had only TINA 70 eorauo