Sullivan republican. [volume] (Laporte, Pa.) 1883-1896, 1892-08-05


1t up, opened and read it. For a mo-
ment his face assumed an ashen paleness.
course him!" he gasped at last. "I
know whose foul work this is. That
scandal was never cleared up as it should
have been. was weak fool to treat
it with contempt; the girl, OF course,
will be paid to bear false witness against
me. What can dol What can dot"
He stood swaying to and fro for
minute. the letter crumpled In his
clenchcd hand. His old housekeeper stood
at the doorway and watched him with
frightened glances, wondering what was
to follow.
Jack suddenly smoothed out the letter
and rcread it.
"And so, Farmer Primrose, you be.
lieved him before me-" he murmured
between his teeth, ''and you have writ
ten to tell the parson there will be no
wedding. Well, we shall see."
There was an ugly, stern look on his
face. Striding from the room he went
straight to the stables and saddled the
big gray mare.
"Tom," he shouted, and lad ap-
peared from tho inner recesses OF cow
shed; "saddle Dobbin and ride as fast
as you can to Treverton Vicarage,"
The boy stared and said nothing,
while his master lead the gray mare sad
died aud bridled out OF the stable.
"Aud tell tho parson,' went on Jack,
as he vaultcd into the saddle, "that the
marriage will come of, after all, aud to
be ready in the church at the time ar
ranged"
Then he clattered out of the yard, and
horse aud rider disappeared down the
road in cloud OF snow
Meanwhile things were going quietly
at Primrose Farm. The farmer had
sworn that there should be party just
the same, and that Polly was we'll rid OF
n scamp, and had better look cheerful,
and maybe she would not have to look
far for an honest man and gentleman
(mcaning Squire Treverton.)
Polly wept until her eyes were red,
and worried her poor little self in vain
cndeavors to imagine why Jack did not
write and explain.
Aunt Primrose went about her duties
nobly, and did her best to cheer Polly,
but it was hopeless business altogether.
And now the guests began to arrive,
and not many who had been invited
failed to make their appearance. The
invitations had not been recalled, aud
the good people of Treverton and
neighborhood saw no reason why they
should forego their dinner and the
chance OF hearing more about the
scandal. The consequence was that poor
Polly had to receive the young men and
maidens Of the surrounding district, and
laugh with them, aud return their COM
plimeuts of the season rs though nothing
had happened. She bore herself bravely,
however, and did not show her gri OF To
the good folks who were watching her;
for she was proud little lassie, aud told
herself that she would be worthy OF
Jack. Nevertheless. there was an
awkward air upon the assembly, aud
this increased as the time arrived, when
the wedding party should have set out
for the church.
The farmer clustered about aud Gu
deavored heroically to introduce a spirit
OF joviality into the proceedings, but he
was not eminently successful.
Presently, when the company were
whispering together in little knots about
the room, knock was heard at the
door, and all heads were turned expect.
antly.
The door opened, and young man
enyeloped In heavy fur coat entered
the room. lie had aristoeratic features
aud an easy, attractive manner. This
was young Squire Treverton, and Farmer
Primrose Immediately pressed forward to
welcome him.
Before long the party was alive. The
young squire was so good natured, so
ready TO please, aud distributed his
fayors with such delightful impattiality
that every one was soon In the best OF
humor. Every one except Polly, who,
although she knew nothing certain, could
not fail To associate all her trouble with
the young squlre's previous visit.
After a while, the distinguished yis'
itor made cautious advances TO the niece
Of the house, but Polly was not respon-
siye, She sat by the tireside, aud he
leaned over her chair aud whispered
sweet nolhings, lie was remarkably
clever al this sort Of thing.
III should like TO make you present.,
Miss Primrose, Now what would you
like the best in all lhe worldf'
The squire had just asked this ques
tlon WHOM, aud before Polly could make
any reply, the door WAS huag vloleatly
open, and tall agure appeared Ia the
doorway, heFade1 10y gust Of snow
laden wind. lie was smeared aud
patched silh Snow as though he had
had fall oE two, aud ia his right haud
he held heavy hunting crop,
The somen folk gave q little scream
la unisan, the mea looked II one another
aud did nothing, Farmer pIimrose
stepped loFsnd with tago la his face,
aud tha squire turned veTy pale, aud
sleadied himself against the sail,
The aew- -eomef took no notice III all
this bat, after one sslfi glance faund
the Eoon, he walksi aefoa. 10 the fife
place, where Polly. haslng risen % heF
feet, sas standing aad watching hlm
~llh open mouth and glislsaiag eyes.
A he held out hls Hms she lies %
hlni, huaa hes afAs s0uni hls neok,
aesilel hes euglY head la great patch
II snas a. hls breast, aaa mufauIed
slmply,~~
'iIaek ~
THAT i lhe aAsAef IA mg question, /