Sullivan republican. [volume] (Laporte, Pa.) 1883-1896, 1892-07-22

| not more Lnan twenty-five or tnree, Tall,
with an elegant figure; she had a Won
derful mass of red gold hair piled up in
some bewilderiny, 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 very sensitive, feeling
kind of fellow, and when he noted the
black dress and tiny white cap perched
upon the golden, wavy hair, Tom felt
that he could do anything for her, or
die happy in the attempt.
SIT is of no consequence" he stam-
mered, unconsciously paraphrasing Mr..
Toots. II did come over to see the in
strument, which thought of purchasing
if it--that is
eff it is satisfactory" the lady said,
with smile, and concluding the speech
Tom deemed it almost heresy to utter.
at is there, as you see. You are, no
doubt, good Judge, and in that case
the piano speaks for itself"
1t did, and pretty loudly, too, as any
cennoisseur of the popular form of har-
moniai 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
bis hand over the keys, even he-igno-
rant of music as he was-felt startled at
the metallic demon he had aroused.
''lt is great bargain" the lady re-
marked, "and, 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 fell
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" F" he hesitated,
man-likc. '.You see, am not buying
for myself, but for lady-my sister
and l should like her to sec it first. II
there is no objection | will call again to-
morrow afternoon"
"My-my husband chose that instru.
mcnt, and he was we'll known mu-
sician," the lady said, almost timidly;
"indeed, dId not circumstances compel
me, would not part with it now; but |
AN not so we'll off as
She turned away abruptly, so sud-
denly that for moment Tom was con-
scious of an idiotlc desire to take her In
his arms and comfort her. Yet usually
he was a keen hand at reading character,
and some inward monitor warned him
even now that the pretty, child-like
widow was merely acting part. But
we are only mortal, and Tom knew too
well what poverty was not to feel for
thu others who suffer from its blighting
Influence.
~ am very sorry-Mrs. Kerr, think
you said!-but l cannot decide now,'
he said, almost humbly. ~ will bring
my sister to morrow
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 well known mu-
sician.
~ declare you are quite in love with
her," she said, half jea!ously. "lt would
be romance If you went to buy piano
aud found wife instead"
"Natural enough, too, " Tom returned
"Why shouldn't narry9 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, great
chum of Toms, and dashing young
journalist of some repute, certainly spent
a deal of time in Maggie's company, to
Toms secret qualification, for Ned was Il
good fellow, aud we'll able 10 afford the
luxury Of II wife.
"We will go and see the lady" she
said. s'I can't trust you alone again"
Tom assented, although not without
certain misgivings. Being, like most OF
the craft, OF Sc, entail, emotional
nature he did not care to bring his Iii.
vinity under the cold, practical eye even
Of his own sister, aud rs she sat await.
ing the arrival of the disconsolate widow,
aud 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 We're mere dodges-"
"Not forgetting that you advised the
dodge to be tried" Tom retorted,
Any fulther conversation was tcrmi-
mated by the entrance of Mrs. Kerr, who
stood in the doorway looking from one
TO the other. \ stray ray OF sunshine
touched her lovely hair aud sweet, pa
thetlc face 50 softly that even Maggie,
the practical, was fain To admit that
Toms extrayaganees had not been so eX'
aggerated after ALL
"l am sorry 10 have kept YOU wait
ing" she commenced, "but-"
at Is" Maggie cried, impulsiyely,
''actually II is, dear Marion"
Dear Marion, thus accostce, smiIel
redly, aud returned Maggle's warm en-
brace.
''lt is an ola school friend ot miue, p
the latter said, ine0herently, "fom,
you have heard me speak OF herr What
memory you have, 10 be snrr' And 10
thuk OF You bcing married, ani never
knew Il Aud wllns alsol lot me
SEQ, | have not feea you for four years,
siueo sou left Mrs, GFlmsha9s. You
must come aad see aur honso, the dear
est llttls place Ia Hampstead, ! call a. -
fom. lookiue ga thought that although
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