The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1892-08-10

@NlW Polly Primrose-lrom
the Primrose pew
smiled sweetly at the good old clergy
man while he performed this highly in-
toresting ceremony; and thrice had Jack
Brine endured the same ordeal, but with
far less self-possession, rs he sat in the
free seats lower down burying a very
red face in his prayer book, until he re.
Hembored that people might think he
was reading the marriage service; and
then throwing his head back and glaring
round defantly with look which said
as plainly as possible, "Ah, you may
giggle, but wouldn't some of you fel-
lows like to be in my shoes; and, may.
hap, there's two or three OF you girls
who wouldn't mind being in Polly'sp
"Well, the third Sunday came and
went, and the wedding was to take place
on the following Friday. There was to
be grand gathering of friends at Prim-
rose Farm after the ceremony.
All their friends declared that the
wedding would be an unfortunate one,
for had not the young people been pres
ent at the calling of their own banns!
"a most uulucky sign, they said And
the wedding 10 take place on Friday,
tool-the most unlucky of all days Of
the week
But it was Polly's choice, and so Fri
day was decided upon.
Polly was an orphan and lived with
her uncle and aunt at the farm. Farmer
Primrose was not, it is true, much in
favor OF the marriage; he had always
wanted young Squire Treverton as hus-
band for his neice, that young gentleman
having made half-hearted love to Polly
for some time past. But Polly loved
Jack Brine and Jack loved Polly; and as
Jack had a very good character as
manly young fellow, and had since his
fathers death, eighteen months ago,
made very good thing of the Cross Hill
Farm, there was really no excuse for
keeping the young people apart.
All went well until the Wednesday be-
fore the wedding. Invitations for the
party were sent broadcast; aud only a
wonderful little manager like Aunt Prim-
rose could have arranged for the seating
and feeding and amusing of such nu.
merous company.
"Bless you, Polly" the dear old crea-
ture would say, ''your wedding party
will be the talk of the country side for
many year; and you deserve it, my
dear, you have been good girl to me. "
Alas on the Wednesday, young Squire
Treverton, lately returned from London,
drove up to Primrose Farm in his dog
cart, and almost ut the same time a dark
cloud seemed to come into the bright
sky.
The squire had a private interview with
Farmer Primrose, and then drove away.
WHAT transpired at that interview need
not be told. The lie that was uttered
has long since been nailed down, and
the utterer thereof has been made to stand
exposed and ashamed before the whole
OF the little world of Treverton. Suffice
1t to say that if the charge against Jack |
Brine contained in that lie had been true,
Farmer Primrose would have been quite |
justified in breaking off his nieces mar
riage, even at this eleventh hour. The |
farmer, howevc:, took too much for |
granted when he condemned Jack uu-
heard. In spite of his wife's gentle re.
monstrance, he flew into violent rage,
swore that there should be no marriage, |
sent long and contemptuous letter to
Cross Hill Farm by one farm servant, a
short, curt note to the vicarage by an. |
other, and then stormed and raved about |
the house for good hour, the result
being that before nightfall the whole
country side was ringing with the news |
that Jack Brine had done something |
dreadful, and that there was to be no
marriage on Friday.
Meanwhile, Jack was away at Exeter, |
making some business arrangements, so
that he might have good fortnight's
holiday. He started back for home early |
on Thursday. The tram had scarcely |
steamed out of the station when a heavy |
snowstorm broke over the country. The
consequence was that about midday he
found himself landed at little station,
fifteen miles from his home, and not a
conveyance to be had.
The snow was coming down in blind
ing sheets, and making the roads all but
impossible. Jack enjoyed good meal
at the solitary little inn of the place, and
then set out manfully to walk to Cross
Farm.
1t was fearful walk. He lost his way
twice, made twenty-five miles of the
journey at least, and, finally, arrived
home exhausted and half frozen, within
a couple of hours of mid might. He did
not look al his letters, but after giving
strict orders to be awakened at eight
next morning, he tumbled into bed.
IL.
Friday morning broke, and the snow
was still falling slightly, although the
fury of the storm was past.