The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1892-08-10

bed like giant refreshed, and came
singing into the big kitchen, where he
ate his breakfast in very joyous frame
of mind.
Then it was that letter beside his
plate caught his attention. He pickle d
it 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 l do2 What can l do7"
He stood swaying to and fro for a
minute, the letter crumpled in his
clenched hand. His old housekeeper stood
at the doorway and watched him with
frightened glauces, wondering what was
to follow.
Jack suddenly smoothed out the letter
and reread 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 a lad ap-
peared from the 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.
"And tell the parson," went on Jack,
as he vaulted into the saddle, "that the
marriage will come off, after all, and to
be ready in the church at the time ar
ranged"
Then he clattered out of the yard, and
horse and 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 well rid of
scamp, and had better look cheerful,
and maybe she would not have to look
far for an honest man and gentleman
(meaning 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, and
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, and return their com
pliments of the season as though nothing
had happened. She bore herself bravely,
however, and did not show her gri eff to
the good folks who were watching. her;
for she was proud little lassie, and told
herself that she would be worthy of
Jack. Nevertheless, there was an
awkward air upon the assembly, and
this increased as the time arrived, when
the wedding party should have set out
for the church.
The farmer clustered about aud en-
deavored heroically to introduce a spirit
OF joviality into the proceedings, but he
was not ehiuently successful.
Presently, when the company were
whispering together in little knots about
the room, a knock was heard at the
door, and all heads were turned expect.
antly.
The door opened, and a young man
enveloped in heavy fur coat, entered
the room. He had aristocratic features
and 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, and distributed his
favors with such delightful impartiality
that every one was soon in the best OF
humor. Every one except Polly, who,
she knew nothing certain, could |
not fail to associate all her trouble with |
the young squire's previous visit.
After while, the distinguished WIS.,
itor made cautious advances to the niece |
of the house, but Polly was not respon-
sive. She sat by the freside, and he
leaned over her chair and whispered !
sweet nothings. He was remarkably
clever at this sort of thing.
al should like to make you a present,
Miss Primrose. Now what would you
like the best in all the world7"
The squire had just asked this ques-
tion when, and before Polly could make
any reply, the door was flung violently |
open, and tall figure appeared in the
doorway, heralded by a gust of snow
laden wind. He was smeared and |
patched with snow as though he had !
had fall or two, and in his right hand |
he held a heavy hunting crop.
The women folk gave little scream
in unison, the men looked at one another !
and did nothing. Farmer Primrose
stepped forward with rage in his face,
and the squire turned very pale, and
5teadied himself against the wall.
The newcomer took no notice of all |
this; but, after one swift glance round |
the room, he walked across to the fire.
place, where Polly, having risen to her
feet, was standing and watching him
with open mouth and glistening eyes.
As he held out his arms she flew to |
him, flung her arms round his neck,
nestled her curly head in a great patch
Of snow on his breast, and murmured |
4 mn lr