Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1891-10-08

|
one day, as they had come so far, and all
that day they wandered in the forest and
its the old story-they stayed all sum
mer. There Rene met Miss Helen and
all that long summer they played GRO
quet, explored the forest and sang songs
together, songs long since out of fashion.
Rene was not a painter, although friend
of many painters, but student of phil
osophy. He had pile of books with
him, and read at times, but it was his
vacation, and his studies never interfered
with Miss Helen's plans or prevented
him from being always in attendance at
any picnic, tea or forest ramble. One
evening we went into the forest, n merry
pack of us starting early together
and returning late in pairs; and when
we returned one couple was missing
Miss Kendle and Rene. Mrs. Kendle
was very anxious, fearing her daughter
had been lost and would be de-
voured blythe wild beasts. We tried to
console her, telling her that probably
that the wild beasts of Fontainebleau
were mostly rabbits and deer. But Mrs.
Kendle refused to be comforted and so
relief expedition was organized. There
were plenty of volunteers, and as the
night was lovely many volunteered in
couples. Hunting horns and drum were
carried to wake the forest echoes, and
torches to see the "babes in the woods"
when found. The party did not go far;
they had not started off with serious in
tent only to pacify the mother, and
contented themselves by exploring the
'brigands' cave" where some were al
most smothered by the smoke of the
torches, and came back singing in
chorus, almost forgetting why the torch
| light procession had been organized. AS
the returning explorers neared the vii
lage, the lights of their torches fell upon
a couple sitting on the bench just inside
the forest gate.
"Hallo" exclaimed Leon, suddenly
changing the note of the solo he was
singing.
Halo, yourself!' answered Renie,
"you are making great deal of noise"
But how did you get here?" asked
Lean.
Easy enough-round the other way"
Leon began it, and we all burst into
laughing chorus.
"What is the joker" asked Renie
"Joke! Suppose you and Miss Kendle
fall into line with us and we will ex-
plain"
And the march continued, horns blow
ing, drums beating, and all shouting at
the top of our voices; and so the sue
cessful rescuing party returned with the
lost one.
1t was about Christmas when the Ken
dies gave grand dinner. Renie sat on
the left of Miss Helen and stranger, a
young man whose looks | scarcely re-
member, sat on her right. OF course
Renie monopolized Miss Kendle. The
young stranger tried to join in the con-
versation, but was not successful. |
cannot say Renie was rude to the man,
he did not seem even to recognize his
existence.
Don't you think it is outrageous?"
whispered Miss Tipman, my neighbor.
WHAT" | asked.
"Don't you know?-of course you do
everybody does except him"
"Him?"
At that moment Mrs. Kendle gave the |
signal for leaving the table, and my
question was left unanswered. We were
allowed to smoke in the drawing-room at
the Kendles' so we followed the ladies.
Miss Tipman captured Renie and in
sisted on his looking over the family
photograph album with her. He did it |
politely, but his attention and ewes
would wander across the room where !
Miss Kendle was talking with the
stranger, But Miss Tipman kept him
at the album. What was she about? |
surely, not trying to fascin-
ate Renie; she must well know any at
tempts of that kind would be wasted
Besides, Miss Tipman was not firt;
she was one of those-yes, l must say it
women to have about.
One of those women who are always try
ing to "do their duty" What was she
up to now? Talking loud enough for
any one near to hear, so there was no
indiscretion in my listening.
There, do you know her?"
"Yes," answered Renie, turning over
the page, anxious to finish the book.
And do you know him?"
"No." Again he would turn the page,
but Miss Tipman put her hand upon
his.
"But don't you recognize that picture?"
she insisted.
"Well, yes; it is of the man who sat
next to Miss Kendle. was introduced,
but forgot his name"
"But don't you know who he is?'
"No, and what is moro"
Don't you know he is engaged to Miss
KendIe?"
This time Renie turned the page with
out any hindrance from his neighbor
He closed the book rose and laid it on
the table, turned, and without n word to
anyone left the room. Miss Tipman and
| looked at each other for few moments
in silence. felt as if | must say some
thing. If she had been man | should
have told him he was irst-cass fool.
As it was, | simply remarked, You've
done it,"
81 thought it was right, she answered,
COMPRISING her lips disagreeably.
Renie went home and had brain fever,
and Miss Helen kendle married the other
man. Why had | not remembered all
this when my old friend asked about
madame, who was Miss Kendle? What
right had | now, after my brutal manner
of announcing Miss Kendle's death, to
criticise Miss Tipman?
Renie did not make me long visit,
but at the door again promised to find
out eff it was really true"
"She was charming woman" he said
as we shook hands; and for the second
time repeated, "a charming woman!"
"And he has never married?" asked
Pauline when closed the door.
"No"