The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1892-03-23

wears IL Ouly when sue Ieellng ulSmal
and thinking over all the troubles she
ever had or will have, and that she never
wants me to do anything when she's
that way. Oh, dearl And 1 told
him"
Cora paused in her reflections and
turned to face, with courageous smile,
the stout and dignifed lady who had
entered.
"There's a picnic at the Lodge this
afternoon, Aunt Cecilia" she began
''just little impromptu affair. They
talked it up the other night at Bess Lang s
party, and promised to go. OF course
meant to speak to you first
"Certainlyl" said Aunt Cecilia. The
blue silk handkerchief was folded around
her plump neck in particularly un-
becoming way. "You should have
spoken to me Immediately. Who has in
vited you9"
"Mr. Pierce" Cora raised her soft
eyes anxiously-"the young man who is
here prospecting for the Bryan Valley
Railroad, you know. They are think
ing of putting branch through here,
and Mr.. Pierce has been here several
times this summer. He's very nice and
he's invited everywhere; and-and we
seem to know each other very we'll now,
for he always talks to me, you know"
Cora spoke with pretty, eager rapidity.
her cheeks flushing. "He wants to call,
and he's coming this morning to see if it
is all right about my going this after
noon. told him of course it would be.
We want to start about ONE
"Pierce9" said Aunt Cecilia. zone
of the West Gainesbro PiercesY'
~ don't know; presume not. No,
think he's from"
81 know the West Gainesbro' Pierces
root and branch, " said Aunt Cecilia, de-
liberately - "root and branch-and l
would no more allow niece of mine to
associate with one of them than would
allow her to associate with-Never mind
l will not argue it, Cora. | know the
Pierces. l am grieved and l am dis
pleased that you have formed an ac.
quaintance so unpleasant to me, whom
you should have considered. l Ihope not
to hear of another"
''But he isn't one of the West Gaines
bro Pierces," Cora cried-"I'm sure he
isn't, Aunt Cecilial l can't think of the
place he does come from. He told me,
too. But ch, Aunt Cecilia, he's so gen
tlemanly and-nice!"
Helpless tears stood in her eyes. She
had not quite realized before how much
he had come to be to her-handsome,
bright-maunered Albert Pierce.
81 desire you to have no more to do
with him" said Aunt Cecilia, showing
her niece severe, straight profile. Aunt
Cecilia was certainly good looking; her
niece resembled her. "a clandestine
acquaintance of that sort, Coral l am
Even were his family
worthy"
SIT isl know it is. And 'clandes-
tine, Aunt CeciliaG How can you say
soS And what shall do? He's coming
this morning to see about it, and-dear
Aunt Cecilia"
81 should prefer lot to have him
come, " said Aunt Cecilia. "We will end
this undesirable acquaintance here and
now, Cora. He is at the Lane House, l
presumed l will send Matthew there
with note, if you will write it. NV
niece cannot attend picnics with a stran-
ger, and Gainesbro' Pierce"
Aunt Cecilia moved away. If she
heard presently, from her seat by the
sitting-room window, something like
faint sob, she persuaded herself that she
had not heard it.
For Aunt Cecilia had a heart and a
warm one. Her niece knew that. Stand.
ing with her eyes hidden, childlike, on
the back of her hand, which was wet
with her tears-standing with indigna-
tion and real misery in her desparing
heart-Cora murmured, dismally.
"She never would have done il! |
Don't know itl 1t isn't like her; she
have! It's that blue silk hand
kerchief."
Aunt Cecilia had the phaeton brought
around early that afternoon and called to
Cora.
Cora, fresh as a rose IN a pink cambric |
dress, with white lace Aounces, was
playing a new waltz in lively style.
Cora did not believe in worrying or
sulking.
The gay gown and the music, and the
bright look with which she greeted Aunt
Cecilia, when she stepped into the car
Rage beside her, were the results of a
sensible determination not to make mat
'ers worse than they already were.
Aunt Cecilia wore her blue silk hand |
kerchief-that was enough. Perhaps