Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1893-10-19

~>SS%ln MA WNII oruoe roster
..s--N-~zS~ THAT is q
fact" returned her brother coolly,
"but what are you going to do about
it?"
The young man was lying in a ham
mock, swung at the end of the piazza;
his sister was seated near him, in
roclSing-chair, which she kept in vigor-
GUS motion, as though thereby trying
to accentuate her remarks concerning
the letter she held in her hand.
boy, about sixteen years of age,
was loungilg on the steps, with novel
before him, but the contents of that
epistle had apparently taken away his
interest in the story, for he was not
reading.
You surely are not surprised, Ger.
trude," continued the occupant of the
hammock II have been noticing for
some time the care father took in
his toilet, when he went out on bust.
ness. Busiaess" laughing derisively;
my stern parent never fooled me
much. | thought he was going a-woo-
ing"
But an old maid, Jin!" said his sis
ter. "A woman probably full of freaks
and fancies. 1t is all very well for you
and Harold, but have to be with her,
at home, all the time"
only three mon this, my dear" re-
turned Jim. Remember my future
brotherin-law comes home to-day, and
that you will soon be a blushing
bride. Rather bad day for his re-
turn, though" he added, looking over
the hammock at the landscape before
him, half hidden by the heavy veil of
rain. II do not think l ever knew it
to pour harder"
Yes" assented Gertrude, medita-
lively. THAT is my one consolation.
If it were not for Dick, / would go out
and hunt for the position of a governess
tomorrow"
('Which you would be quite incapa,
BILE of filing" interpolated her brother,
sotto voce.)
For l haven't the patience to put up
with an old maids quips and cranlss'
''Pshaw!' said Harold, who had not
yet spoken, 81 think an old maid far
preferable to n widow. She will prob
ably be so grateful to father for marry
ing her that she will behave very de.
Gently. Generally an old maids chief
fault is romancing about her former of
fers, and Mrs Foster will probably not
do that, now she has really had one"
THAT is So" chimed in Jim. where
as widow is always resurrecting her
dear defunct, whenever his substitute
does anything to displease her. Obi
undoubtedly, things might be worse"
Yes" returned Gertrude, "but how
can a man with heart fall in love
again so soon, anyway
Maybe she was his first love, from
whom he was separated by a misunder-
standing" said Harold, putting his
hand over his heart sentimentally
"Hellol The rain has stopped-and
there comes livery stable carriage.
How dramaticl Rain stops Enter
hero! Come along, Jim, we would not
be here to embarrass the greetings of
two young and loving hearts" He dis
appeared through the door while Jim
slowly followed, in his lazy, languid
way, saying: "Tell Dick will see him
at supper"
BY this time the carriage had en-
tered the gates and was coming rapidly
up the long avenue that led to the
house The Fosters prided themselves
on their well-kept grounds, especially
the drive from the lodge gate to the
house, which was bordered on either
side by maple trees.
They gave delightful shade during
the summer months, and their gorgeous
foliage in the fall made the Foster
place the glory of the neighborhood.
But neither Richard nor Gertrude
thought of the naples as he was driv'
ing under them that afternoon. lie
had been abroad two years his only
thought was that, at last, he was really
to be with his fancGe once more, while
she forgot her fathers second marriage
in the JOY of seeing her lover again.
But, after they had been together ar
hour or two, Gertrude remembered the
letter, and her face fell.
''oh, Dicls!'' she said, father is
married again. | received n note Just
few minutes before you came, telling
me about it. lie said he should be
home in few days, aud wanted me tc
have everything done to make her
homecoming pleasant"
Dick looked grave-then replied
"Wcll, it will be only for little time
but" ".chcerfully, II will take you away
right off, if you like"
Gertrude laughed. "Oh! guess car
support her presence few weeks, but
isn't it dreadful-for man to get mar
red second time?"
awful he returned, with convic.
ton. Then, after seconds pause: ~
mean as a rule; of course there are cS'
ceptio cases. That reminds me-" he
added, you have heard me speak of
my Aunt Marion?"
'"rhe aunt who, you say, has re-
deemed the race of old maids in your
estimation?" asked Gertrude.
''The same" he answered. "Well,
mother wrote me some time ago that
she WIS nrninO to he mnrrinl sum