The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1892-03-09


as he spoke, painting, and who could
not quite compare with great beauty,
thought that Balkan was showing off,
being irritated by Genevleve's apparent
indifference, and was trying to console
himself by grumbling at her, although
he would have been very critical of any
one else who dared to do so. This young
woman, who could reflect intelligently,
was, nevertheless, perfect child in
guilelessness. She was the sort of girl
who would remain sweet and naive as an
old woman.
Nellie Featherly looked round at Bal.
kan in moment, and said
"Now there is nothing mysterious
about me-"
"You? should think not You are
so fearless, straightforward and anus
ing"
"You have not quite enough illusion
about me, think" pouted Nellie, over
her satin scarf, which was Just bursting
into flower and leaf. "You have made
me out just one of the ordinary, useful,
toss-me-aside kind of women, and, al
ehouSh JOu dIC uO lldIt W near
the fact repeated"
81 don't care what you think of your
self, or how you construe my apprecia.
tion of you," answered Balkan. ~ am
perfectly content with enjoying your
traits and sitting near while you paint. :"
Nellie went on busily, with a dozen
pretty motions, and rather dissatisfied
expression of countenance. Whether it
was her work or his words which an
noyed her, Balkan was not quite sure.
''That's exquisite and no mistake, 3" he
went on, peering over at the drawing
board on her knees, upon which the
satin was stretched.
"oh, please don't say pretty things"
Nellie cried. "Somehow you seem in
sincere o.day"
"Ii My dear Miss Featherly, should
not hesitate to tell the truth rather than
prevaricate. To be quite honest,
would tell you the truth about anything
in the world you could ask me; though
with Others l might be as silent as Gen
evieve, instead of confessing to actual
ities."
'If ever want to ask you anything l
will remember this" the young amateur
rejoined, with a smile into Balkans
earnest face.
Cecil Morton sauntered across the
room during the little pause ensuing,
and said that the day was too pleasant to
stay in the house. Why not go to walk
before dinnerG The young people, eight
in all, were visiting some dear old coun-
try gentleman to whom Nellie was near
ly related, and who had asked them for
a week of sleighing and other winter
sports, the snow being in better condi-
ton than for years past. That evening
they were to go sleighing by moonlight,
and it was super energetic for Morton to
talk of walking. But we all know how
these restless people of energy and mus
Gle rout us out of lazy tete-a. tetes aud
fireside luxury. Neither Nellie nor Bal
kan wished TO be stigmatized as 10th to
exercise, so they rushed out of the par
lor to find the others and get wrapped
up for a cool ramble; while Cecil Nor
ton smiled to himself IN a mirror, think
ing of the commotion he could affect at
will.
Nellie and Genevieve paired off, in
tentionally, as the group left the hall
door ten minutes later. Something
agitated Nellie's beautiful friend, as the
former was able to discover through girl
ish intimacy. Genevieve's face looked
calm and pale as she said in low, tragic
voice to the girl beside her;
"My heart is almost breaking. am
so surprised aud so wretched. TO think
of it. have never loved before, aud
every one always on his knees to me.
And now, the very one who absorbs my
thoughts-cold, coldl"
"Doa't be silly, Gen. You're so fred
up at finding any one you can become
romantic over, that you are as blind as
hickory nut, besides being dreadfully
awkward when he's around. Moreover,
Hal Balkan is perfectly splendid--so
handsome and so manly! l don't won
der you like him tremendously And
the idea of his not coming under your
spell! Why, / just know he thinks you
are irresistible. know you are in his
mind"
"You love me, and try to think me a
Vanquisher of all hearts," murmured
Genevieve. "But my former conquests
have not been all-convincing, because
Mr.. Balkan is really the only true Pc
son OF enuable position and means whom