The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1893-08-02


ty, and in that elegant room she
might have reminded one of pearl in
its satin casket. Black-eyed and
haired, with a creamy skin, fine
grained as velvet, and straight, deli
cately chiseled features, hers was an
uncommon beauty, yet strangely fas-
cinating.
Eighteen years old, and engaged to
be married 1t was a new leaf in the
book of life for Barbara Esmond; a
sensation as novel as it was delightful.
81 wish had mother TO go to, or
loving, tender, elder sister" mused
Barbara, restlessly. 81 scarcely un-
derstand my own feelings. wonder
if / do love him as / shonld love the
man intend to make my husband.
Husbandi" she added, with little
tremulous sort of shudder. f'The
word implies q great deal. And Har-
ry Milbrook is to be my husband !"
Barbara was like a newly-caged
bird, restless, futtering against the
invisible bars of her prisoned exis-
tence; captured with her own tolls, yet
half disposed TO break away into the
solitude and independence once more.
Mr.. Henry Milbrook, however, was
troubled with no such vague ideas. He
had won the heart of Miss Esmond,
the heiress, and what was of rather
more consequence to him, he had won
the right to share her wealth.
'Tm fellow of talent, unused Mr..
Milbrook, land fellows of talent never
could endure to work like common
cart-horses. Therefore it follows that
must have money, and, possessing
none of my own, must marry the art
icle. And although object to red hair
and a crooked spine, am quite willing
to accept the incumbrance of beauti-
full girl along with said cash |"
That was the decidedly practical and
unromantic manner in which Mr.. Mil
brook contemplated his approaching
felicity. He kept his rhapsodies of
romance and soft poetic whisperings
for Barbara's ear alone, and she, like
any enthusiastic girl of eighteen, be-
lieved in him.
She told no one of the precious Sc
cret enshrined in her heart; it would
have seemed almost like desecration !;
but her lover was by-no means so deli
cate.
80 you're to be married, Hal I"
said Mr. Joseph Piercy, at the club
eyes, I'm going to be married; to a
cool hundred thousand, too, answered
Mr.. Milbrook, rubbing his hands.
'sWho is it?"
ooh, the lady, you mean?"
''Yes, l mean the lady"
'It's old Esmond's daughter"
''What, the star-eyed Barbara?"
Exactly so"
al congratulate you, old fellow"
''Much obliged, answered Mr.. Mil
brook, indifferently pulling his mus
tache. 81 fiatter myself it's pretty
good speculation for a fellow that
travels on his good looks alone.
'1 wish she had sister for me, " OBJ
served Mr.. Percy.
81 don't can't afford to go halves
in the cash.
There was q general laugh among
the youths of fashion in the club room
at this scintillation Of wit, and Mr..
Milbrook sauntered leisurely out
81 promised she should have my
picture, thought Mr.. Harry, "and /
suppose the cheapest place l can have
it done is at the establishment of that
poor devil of an artist in Grove street.
guess I'll go round there. "
II was hard for 50 exquisitely gotten
up youth as Mr.. Milbrook TO be COM
PEELED to hide his light under the
bushel of so obscure street as that
toward which he now bent his foot
steps, but economy was just ut present
something of an object with this mod
ern Apollo Of ours.
Signor Fernelli, the artist, was at
home, dark, courteous little Italian,
with n wife and seven small children,
and worry glad he was TO receive Mr..
Milbrook's order.
"On ivory, suppose, sir?"
Eyes, l suppose SO. It's dreadfully
expensive" thought Harry, with
grimRce ''but engaged girls must have
their own way, Of course.
As ho set waiting for Signor Fernelli
10 bring out somo specimens Of his art,
W select tho most appropriate tize and