The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1890-08-27
TOPSY.

AOl ~ Il
"He thinks more of Topsy than he
does of met" said Huldah.
Joe Brockway laughed.
''But she is dandy little horse, you
know" he said, letting his gaze wander
to where Huldah's Uncle Robert stood
stroking and patting Topsy. "Look at
her shape, just"
81 Fnow," said Huldah. "I've heard
Uncle Robert rave about her enough.
Little head, arched neck, slender legs"
Joe brought his hand down ON his
sweetheart's with another laugh.
But Huldah's brown eyes were lifted
seriously to his laughing blue ones.
"What's the matter2" he said gaily.
''Well, I'm not adamant exactly, Joe, "
said Huldah, slowly. "Im not fossil
And it's hard to have an uncle who cares
as much for horse as he does for you,
and to hear nothing but horse.talk from
morning till night, and to get so lone
some sometimes you just don't know
what to do! Oh, Joc," Huldah MUIR
INJURED meekly. 81 ought not to say it !
don't know what's the matter with me.
| IL"
And Joe Brockway heard q stiied Sob
saw swishing skirt, and found himself
alone on the front steps.
"HuldahW he cried, and gave chase.
Through the hall he ran, and into the
sitting-room and the kitchen, and then
out into the back yard and around the
house, sending two doing cats wildly
fleeing, and going through Huldah's
petuniabed.
''Hang it !" he cried, coming to a baf-
fled stop, with Redeemed face and dis
heveled hair.
His good-looking countenance showed
little wrath, considerable distress, and
some indecision.
81 believe I'll tel her this minute I"
he muttered. "What'll she say about
Topsy thenl Little simpleton-dear lit
tie simpletonl"
But after q moments reflection he
walked toward the barn, where Huldah's
Uncle Robert was still engaged with
Topsy.
Huldah had fled up stairs to her bed
room. There she sat with her face hid
den in fold of her dress, and her tears
soaking the starch out oft.
Oh, dearl oh, dear! What was she
crying about2 Everythingl
1t was her Uncle Robert, for one
thing. He was kind, of course. But if
he were not quite so wrapped up in that
new trotter, if he ever would talk to her
about anything else-about her own poor
little affairs, for instance-and stay in
the house sometimes instead of the barn
What did he want of Topsy, anyhowl
Huldah wished he had never seen her.
For since Joe had taken a partnership
in hardware store in Wakely, it was
doubly lonesome for her here in Cheever.
Ali she hadn't been quite fair in let
ting Joe think her tears were all for her
Uncle Robert.
Since Joe had gone to Wakely Wake
ly was such lively place, with posses
sions of which Cheever had never
dreamed--an "opera house," and park,
with fine band pavilion. And pretty
girls--Wakely was noted for its pretty
girls
What was the matter with her2 Was
he not her own true loverl Had he not
devoted many a half day to coming
home to see herr Wasn't he home for
that purpose nowl
And still Huldah sobbed on.
She was tired and nervous, she re-
fected, dismally. Doing all the house
work and canning strawberries at the
same time had been too much for her,
she supposed; and she had not felt well
lately, Besides.
And she gathered up a fresh corner of
her gown and cried harder.
She did not know how long she staid
there. But when she went down stairs
at last there was nobody in sight or
hearing.
She had expected to find that Joe
had gone; but where was her Uncle
Robertl
The table showed a masculine litter
OF cold greens and lemon pie. Obi and
here was a note pinned to the table
cloth:
"Am going to Wakely. Be back early"
Wakely-what fort Oh, yes HUI
9ah OWNED in an instant. There was
man in Wakely giving an exhibition of
horse training. Joe had told her;
and of course Joe had gone back with
him.
Was he angry with her, Huldah won.
deredf Aud was her Uncle Robert dis
pleased because she had neglected his
support If they were she deserved it.
She was poor, lachrymose, disagree
able thing-she, Huldah Spencer, who
had had reputation for brightness and
prettiness.
She went and sat down on the back
porch. She did not want any supper.
How could she eat with that lump in
aer throatl She sat looking out into