The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1892-09-28

oil and clean the machine. She goes
over it spry as a kithen."
"She's handsome" said Dave, sim.
ply.
"Humphl Handsome is as handsome
does," observed Joe, grumpily. "She
is cold as ice and hard as a rock. It's
my belief that she amt got no heart
same as other wimmin. And sassyY
Lori"
In spite of what he had heard, or per-
haps, because of what he has heard, all
things, even the melancholy town itself,
grew rose colored to Dawes sunny eyes.
With his unfailing cheerfulness he
waited hopefully for news of his ap-
pointment at Red Valley, and hovered, q,
as if fascinated, around engine No. A.
Neither the boys nor old Bryan were
slow to notice this, the latter having ac-
cepted such attentions periodically from
all the young men. 1t was SO inevitable
proceeding that up to the time of the
Middleton's dance they paid no attention
to it.
But that night something extraordin-
airy occurred.
The next day, as Brier Rose rode down
the street on her hardy little pony, the
boys gathered around her eagerly, not
withstandIng the fact that she had q
stout little whip in her hand. They had
something new and strange to tease her
about.
''Brier Rose" called out Jim, as she
drew rein, ''you don't care nothin' about
dancin', do youf"
"You'd ruther set all the evenin',
wouldn't you, now2"
"D'you like the name O. Dave, or do
you reckon you'd rather have Com
stock2"
Rose looked from one to the other as
the bottledup taunts fell rapidly upon
her ears, her cheeks and lips growing
scarlet. For once her ready tongue
failed her. Small need to ask them
what they meant. Too we'll she knew.
But was her subjugation apparent in such
tri6e2 And so soon2 And Dave as
yet had said nothing. Emboldened by
her silence they went further.
"What does he say about itW
The shamed crimson leaped TO her
very temples and receded, leaving her
face pitifully white. Her wounded
pride now painted for but one thing-a
way out. Probably he knew it, too.
She saw him coming down the street.
"Do you love hIm2 Say, Brier Rose,
do you love Davc9" cried the one furth.
est from her whip,
Her courage came back at Dawes ap-
proach, and the spell of her unwonted
silence was broken.
''Do love hint" she cried, looking
him fairly in the face. ~ come nearer
to hatin' himl"
She turned her horse sharply, and the
blows the boys had expected fell on her
fiery little pony. He craned his neck
and went up the street on dead run,
but fast as Rose flew the grieved look
in Dave Comstock's blue eyes kept pace
with her.
That night Joe fidgeted around, un-
able to decide whether or not ne should
speak to Dave about the occurrence of
the afternoon. Dawes genial smile and
CHEEKY hopefulness were gone. He sat
with his face buried in his folded arms.
Joe coughed Ioisily and said nothing.
Dave looked down at his poor manned
foot.
"Joe, do you know that little baby
saved from the wreck had brown eyes |
like Brier Rosel l remember the baby |
smiled when held it out to the men.
You know my foot was caught and l
couldn't move. I've never seen Briar
Rose smile at me that way. If 1 had
saved her perhaps she would. Do you
.hink so, Joel"
At home, Rose was thinking of the
story of Dawes bravery in the wrecked
rain, of the lives he had saved, Of his
defense of her.
And to-day in return she had mocked
him. Aye, If the look he gave her spoke
ruly, she had cut him to the heart.
rears-tears in the eyes of Brier Rosel