The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1892-07-27

with an elegant figure; she had won
derful mass of red gold hair piled up in
some bewildering, fascinating fashion;
her features were wonderfully sweet and
regular, and her sorrowful blue eyes,
half bold, wholly shy, went straight to
Toms heart and enslaved HIM on the
spot. He was a very sensitive, feeling
kind Of fellow, and when he noted the
black dress aud tiny white cap perched
upon the golden, wavy hair, Tom felt
that he could do anything for her, or
die happy in the attempt.
"It is of no consequence" he STAN.
mered, unconsciously paraphrasing Mr..
Toots. ~ did come over to see the in
strument, which thought of purchasing
if it--that is'-
"If it is satisfactory" the lady said,
with a smile, and concluding the speech
Tom deemed it almost heresy to utter.
''It is there, as you see. You are, no
doubt, good judge, aud in that case
the piano speaks for itself.
1t did, and pretty loudly, too, as any
ccnnoisseur of the popular form of har-
monial torture would have readily testi-
fed. 1t was suspiciously new, the var
nish was bright and obtrusive. There
was also some little difficulty in raising
the lid, and when Tom did clumsily run
his hand over the keys, even he-igno-
rant of music as he was-felt startled at
the metallic demon he had aroused.
at is great bargain" the lady re-
marked, 'aud, as you see, almost new"
Tom did see, and fastened eagerly to
pay fitting tribute to its youth, which
apparently was the only virtue it pos
sessed. And yet the soft hearted fel-
low, with those pathetic blue eyes turned
upon him, could not steel himself to
pronounce the fiat which his common
sense dictated.
''I will not decide now," he hesitated,
man-like. "You see, ] am not buying
for myself, but for lady-my sister
and l should like her to see it first. If
there is no objection will call again to-
morrow afternoon.
"My-my husband chose that instru-
ment, aud he was a well known mu-
scian," the lady said, almost timidly;
''indeed, did not circumstances compel
me, would not part with it now; but |
am not so well off as"
She turned away abruptly, SO sud-
denly that for a moment Tom was con-
scious of an idiotlc desire to take her In
his arms aud comfort her. Yet usually
he was keen hand at reading character,
and some inward monitor warned him
even now that the pretty, child-like
widow was merely acting a part. But
we are only mortal, and Tom knew too
well what poverty was not to feel for
the others who suffer from its blighting
influence.
~ am very sorry-Mrs. Kerr, think
you said?-but 1 cannot decide now,'
lie said, almost humbly. ~ will bring
my sister to morrow"
y
Maggie listened with interest to the
story of the interview, but, sister like,
she by no means liked Toms encomiums
concerning the widowed possessor of the
instrument chosen by we'll known mu-
sician.
"I declare you are quite in love with
her." she said, half jea!ously. ''It would
be romance if you went to buy piano
and found a vile instead"
"Natural enough, too" f" Tom returned
"Why shouldn't narryl l should not
be in the way then when Ned Hartley
comes of an evening""
1t was Maggie's turn to look confused
now. Ned Hartley aforesaid, a great
chum of Toms, and dashing young
journalist of some repute, certainly spent
a deal of time in Naggie's company, to
Toms secret qualification, for Ned was a
good fellow, and well able TO afford the
luxury Of IA wife.
"We will go and see the LADY," she
said. "I can't trust you alone again"
Tom assented, although not without
certain misgivings. Being, like most of
the craft, of sentimental, emotional
nature he did not care to bring his di-
vinity under the cold, practical eye even
of his own sister, and as she sat await
ing the arrival of the disconsolate widow,
and coolly criticising the unfortunate
piano, Tom began to scent something
like trouble in the future.
"My dear, the thing is a regular take
in, she said, decidedly. "Any one but
you would have known that half those
advertisements were mere dodges-"
"Not forgetting that you advised the
dodge to be tried" Tom retorted.
Any fulther conversation was termi.
mated by the entrance of Mrs. Kerr, who
stood in the doorway looking from one
to the other. A stray ray of sunshine
touched her lovely hair and sweet, pa
thetlc face so softly that even Maggie,
the practical, was fain to admit that
Toms extravagances had not been so ex
aggerated after all.
'I am sorry to have kept you wait
ing" she commenced, "but-"
at IS" Maggie cried, impulsively,
"actually it is, dear Marion"
Dear Marion, thus accosted, smiled
redly, and returned Maggie's warm en-
brace.
'It is an old school friend of mine,
the latter said, incoherently. "Tom,
you have heard inc speak Of her? What
IA memory you have, to be sure AID to
think of you being married, and ] never
knew it! And widow alsol Let me
see. l have not seen you for four years,
since you left Mrs. Grimshaw's. You
must come and see our house, the dear
est little place in Hampstead, l call it. !"
Tom, looking on, thought tfat although
Mrs. Kerr seemed pleased to see her old
friend, she was strangely i'll at case.
She parried Maggie's questions both hur-
riedly and coufusedly; the strange feel
ing that she was playing a part struck