The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1893-05-24


eating her modest little lunch of bread
and butter and baked pears, while,
through the open window, she could see
the children disporting themselves in the
March winds, aud hear the music OF
their merry shouts. If school had been
in session, she would decorously have
read the letter and replaced it "a its
envelope. AS it was, she flung it
rapturous to the ceiling with a cry of
joy, caught 1t again and, springing to
her feet, clapped her hands like
child.
"Oh, thank goodness-thank good
ness I" she exclaimed ecstaticaliy. alt
will all be right nowl Papa can go to
the South right away. Will can have
his school outfit, and we can pay Squire
Augur all the back rent that has been
owing for yearl Oh, it was 50 good
of Judge Mellen to interest himself in
my poor little affairs am so glad that
thought of writing to him !"
Miss Middleworth could hardly con-
duct the district school to the end of its
afternoon session, so joyfully disqueted
was her mind.
"Teacher's in love-" said the biggest
girl in a whisper to the next biggest
girl.
"Guess teachers got an invite to
singing school" muttered the next big
gest girl, who was In hopeless despair
over an interest sum on her slate.
How gladly Miss Frank Afiddleworth
locked the battered schoolhouse door at
last How rapidly she walked home,
ward She was almost vexed at meet
ing Reginald Augur at the cross-road, +,
by the old stone mill.
His face frightened up at sight of
her.
"Oh, Frank !" said he. 81 was just
wishing to see Your
The "government-c clerk elect" drew
herself up. Mr.. Augpr need not have
been so familiar with her, she thought |!
"Indeedl" she uttered somewhat frig-
idly.
Honest Reginald looked rather puz.
zled.
my cousin, Mrs. Evelyn, wants gov
srness," said she. "The family is small,
and she's willing to pay five hundred
dollars year. Aud you know you have
always wanted to go the city,"
"Yes, know" said Miss Middle
worth, with chilling Indifference. "But
have changed my mind"
Reginald Augur looked at her in amaze
ment.
Frank" he said, shave offended
you2"
"Oh, no." said she. "How should
you offend me! Butt am appointed
to an Office in Washington. am to have
eleven hundred dollars a year."
"And leave us, Frank2" he exclaimed.
She bit her LIP.
"One cannot always stay in the same
place like a crooked apple tree or lin
pet growing to the rock, said she.
''But, Frank, listen to me-" pleaded
Mr.. Augur. al am to commence the
practice of law on my own account next
month. My father will receive me into
equal partnership, and then"
AZ am very happy to hear it," said
Miss Middleworth, absently.
"And them" persisted Reginald, "I
shall be able to marry. And if"
"Yesf" Frank lifted her eyebrows,
provokingly enough. 81 hope you will
get very good wife. l am sure you
will both have my best wishes"
Young Augur's frank, boyish fcce fell.
al had hoped" he began, a little
awkwardlY.
"SuTcly, cannot be at all interested
in your hopes, interrupted Miss Middle
worth. "Let me pass, please. I'm in a
great hurry to-day"
Reginald Augur stood aside, with q
sharp pang at his heart. He had loved
Frank MIddleworth ever since he could
remember. He had always installed
her, as queen, in all the visionary castles
in the air which he had built within his
own brain. And here she had abdicat-
ed of her own free will and flung his
offering away.
Frank, herself, felt little conscious
stricken as she walked hurriedly' on
Reginald Augur had all the winning
manner aud sterling goodness OF nature
which would naturally comuend them
selves to any feminine heart. She had
always liked him--nay, she had OrcC
almost believed that she loved him
but this new development had Changed
the whole aspect Of her world.