The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1893-01-04

looking young woman perched upon the
bench.
''Parden me-" he began, with a good
deal Of astonishment in his voice and
manner. care you the person who has
just been playing the Bach fugue so
WELT"
She turned with startled look. "I
was trying it," she admitted, "but am
afraid made sorry work OF it"
''By no meqns," dissented the Colonel
gallantly. "It was we'll done--quite as
well as could have done it myself. We
are very fortunate to have found you,
Miss--what may call you9"
She colored and seemed to hesitate.
"Gamba--Viola GAMBIA" she replied at
last.
Then she turned away and began to
finger the stops nervously.
After that they talked a little about
her engagement, and then the Colonel
took his leave.
Miss GAMBIA from the first was a great
success. She managed the great in
| strument in a manner that was little
short Of mastery. She also made de.
cided impression upon the members of
the quartette. The Colonel, who was
early on the ground, was not long in dis
covering that his new assistant was as
pretty as she was clever. The tenor was so
distracted by her charming individuality
that he took throaty note in the mid
die of his solo. The soprano confided
to the alto her intention of going
straight home after service and repro
ducing the newcomers bonnet while
the impression was fresh. The alto in
return called attention to the heavenly
| fit of Miss Gamba's gown.
Now that he might, the Colonel did not
at once leave the city. The weather be-
came very warm indeed, but he fingered.
He came regularly to all the rehesrsals
disposition to resume his place at the
organ. He seemed content to sit quietly
in the organ loft.
About midsummer the services were
discontinued and the great oaken doors
of st. Nero's we're to be closed. Before
that time the Colonel had admitted to
himself that Miss GAMBIA was the most
interesting of women. He more than
once found himself regretting that he
must conduct himself toward her in the
paternal fashion -beftting his years, and
he often sighed deeply. he realized all
at once that his interest in neckwear was
reviving, bus the climax of his new con-
dition was reached on the eve of the
last Sunday before the close Of the season
at st. Nero's. 1t happened, as he was
about to put on his hat upon leaving his
club, that his eye caught glimpse of
the band Of Grape which he had worn
for so many years in unsuspecting and
unvarying repetition. He held the hate
full thing at arms length and gazed at it
with horror. Then he cslled q waiter
and babe him take the hat away.
"Where shall take it, sir9" the as
tonished man asked.
"Anywhere-take it anywhere-to a
halter, and have him remove that band
instantly. Do you think can go about
looking like hatchmentl" demanded
the Colonel, Indignantly.
In due time the man appeared with
the offending tile, now shorn of its
ghastliness. The Colonel, properly re-
habilitated and rejuvenated, went to
florists and secured the most satisfactory
boutonniere that money could demand.
Then he hurried away to the organ loft
of st. Nero's, where the last rehearsal of
the season had just been concluded.
The quartet had departed aud Miss
GAMBIA was alone with the great organ.
As the Colonel entered she was still play
ing some softly-reminiscent thing. The
loft was brilliantly lighted. Fhe Colonel
at that moment made up his mind that
st. Cecilia was an overrated creature,
and that she suffered greatly by conpar-
ison with the glowing picture before his
eyes.
She saw him in the glass aud at once
stopped playing and turned to greet him.
He came up and stood beside her.
"Shall you remain in town during the
summerl" he asked, rather abruptly.
"Really-I hardly know have no
plans at present" see stammered.
"Pardon me-" he said. "I thought
perhaps you might be gong to your
friends"
"No," she replied, with slight choke
in her voice. ''My friends are very far
away. I am practically friendless."
sob, you must not say that, my dear
Miss Gamba-you really must notl"
She SMILED sorrowfuly and shook her
head.
''Really, Miss GAMBIA, cannot permit
you to say that you have no friends"
he went on, reproachfully. 81 should
do myself base injustice if did not
beg you to recall those words.
She pulled down the organ lid with
gentle touch and then began to put on a
glove.
''Am 1 not your frlend2 Has not that
fact occurred TO you-ever2' he con-
tinued, rather eagerly.
s'Of course it has-often,' she replied
frankly, giving him the ungloved hand.
al am so much interested in you.
wish | could tell you how interested
am in you, dear Miss GAMBIA" he said,
still retaining possession OF the hand.
''You have been mos. kind-and con-
siderate, " che said, looking him full in
the face. al am deeply grateful to
YOU"
al want to bel wish you would let
me"-he stalnmered, getting red in the
face. Ill am very fond of you'll"
She did not speak nor die she take
away her hand.
'It seems to me now--just at this
al 1. III -