The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1892-11-30

very eyes and nosel" thought the virtu-
Gus matron. "Clarence Walbridge, who
is the best parti in town. Well, there's
no end to the pretensions of these coun-
try-bred girls. l wonder what he could
possibly have seen in her big eyes, and
melancholy, pursed-up mouth But now
Elise will have fair chance, poor
dearl"
And Miss Elise Jennifer was duly
posted in what she ought to do aud say
upon the occasion of Mr.. Walbridge's
beauty, with freckled cheeks, haxen
hair, frizzed into the similitude of yell
low cloud, and very red lips, which she
was perpetually biting, to preserve their
coral blooml
"I'll do my best, ma" said Elise,
''but never know what to talk about
when am with NJ. Walbridgel"
"Pshawl" quoth Mrs. Jennifer, "I'm
sure Olive Martin could talk fast
enough"
"But Cousin Olive knows more than
l do" confessed innocent Elise.
Mr.. Walbridge came as usual that eve
ming, and was simperingly welcomed by
Elise Jennifer, in becoming blue silk
dress, with rose in her yellow fiossy
hair and blue knots of ribbon futtering
wherever blue knot could possibly be
placed.
''Is your cousin at homer" the young
man asked, rather unceremoniously, and
Miss Elise recollected her lesson.
"oh, didn't you know" quoth she,
artlessly, solve has left us9"
"Lett youl" echoed Clarence Wal
bridge, more disappointed than he chose
to own to himself. "What'forW
Elise lifted her brows, looked at the
carpet, and tried to assume an arch ex-
preston of countenance.
"Of course / can't be expected to
know certainly, "she said, "but mamma
and both had our suspicious. In short,
don't know really how to explain, but
I've reason to suppose she has gone
away to be married"
"To be married2"
"Some faithful cavalier, I believe,
who knew her in the days before her
poor dear father died-it's all very ro-
mantle, and we're SO sorry TO lose herl"
"What is his namel" bluntly asked
Mr.. Walbridge.
Elise hesitated her lesson had not
embraced this point, but she knew she
must say something, and lispiugly an
swered:
"Mr. John Smith"
thse Nra Tanpifar oat,,a Il,
all smiles.
al am so busy since my nieceleft us, !"
she said, blandly. ~ miss her terribly;
but of course it was my duty to oppose no
obstacles since Mr.. Darcy had been so
faithful"
"Mr. DarcyW
"Yes, the young gentleman in ques
hon."
Elise turned the color OF carmiue, but
she had not presence of mind to extri.
cate herself from the gulf of misrepre-
sentation into which she had fallen, and
Mr.. Walbrldge quietly laid all these
things up in his mind.
"Oh, mammal" cried Elise, when her
visitor was gone, show could you say
his name was Darcy, when 1 had told
Mr.. Walbridge it was John Smith"
Mrs. Jennifer looked blank-but hope,
that "springs eternal in the human
breast" came to her relief, most for
tunately.
''Oh, l don't believe he noticed it, "
said she. "Darcy is better name than
Smith-well stick to Darcy for the fu.
ture, my Lowell"
And Clarence Walbridge, who had
somehow allowed himself to become
strangely interested in Miss Martins
blooming face and lovely, pleading eyes,
went straight to Mr.. Jennifer's law
office.
she, at least, can speak the truth, "
he thought, "Which is more than one
can venture to assert of Mrs. Jennifer
and the fair Elise"
"Walbridge came to my Office this
afternoon, said Moses, bluntly, at din
ner, as he plunged his carving fork into
the juicy depths of sirloin of beef.
"He asked me where Olive Martin had
gone. Do you know, wife, believe he
really is interested in the little thing,
and it would be first rate thing for her,
! for -"
"What did you tell himl" breath
lessly interrupted Mrs. JennIfer, pausing
in her occupation of preparing the dress
ing for plate of lobster.
"Why, l said she'd gone to learn
dressmaking at Mrs. Parkman's, to be
sure. What should tell hint"
"Oh, Mosesl" groaned Mrs. Jennifer.
"oh, papa!" shrieked Elise.
Honest Moses stared helplessly from
one to the other.
"What do you both meant" he de-
man ded. "What have l donet"
But he could get no satisfactory infor-
nation from either of the ladies.
Olive Martin was busy over the puff
ings of blue satin skirt, when Mrs.
Parkman came into the room.
"a gentleman to see MISS Martin,
said she, prlmly. "As a general thing,
it is against my rule to allow my young
ladies to receive company pertaining tc
the other sex, but"
But Olive escaped from the room be-
fore the lectuGe1was half over, to sec
Clarence Walbridge in the shop without.
"Well, Olive" he said, gayly, as he
took both her hands in his, ''you see
have found you out!"
"Found me outi' she repeated, blush
ing very much, aud looking radiantlJ
/ nrettv