The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1893-10-18

over anu over TO himself bue uuuEbSb
TO be delivered before the Governor in
the evening. And as he read his face
had a wintry and inhospitable look.
The night came. Old Roses entered
the dining room quietly with the
crowd, far in the Governors wake.
According TO his request, he was given
seat in distant corner, where he
was quite inconspicuous Most of the
men present we're In evening dress.
He wore plain tweed suit, but car
ried handsome rose in his button
hole. 1t was impossible to put him at
disadvantage. He looked distin
guished as he was. He appeared to be
much interested in Lord Malice. The
early proceedings we're cordial, for the
Governor and his suite made them
selves most agreeable, and talk flowed
amiably.
After time there was a rattle of
knives and forks, and the Chairman
arose. Then, after a chorus of 'hear,
hears" there was general silence. The
doorways of the rooms we're filed by
the women servants of the hotel. Chief
among them was Vic, who kept her
eyes mostly on Old Roses. She knew
that he was to read the address and
speak, and she was mere interested in
him and his success than in Lord
Malice and suite. Her admiration of
him was great. He had always treated
her as q lady, and it had done her
good. He had looked earnestly and
kindly into her brown eyes, and
"And / call upon Mr.. Adam Sher-
wood to speak to the health of his Ex
cellency, Lord Malice"
In his modest corner, Old Roses
stretched to his feet. The Governor
glanced over carelessly. He only saw
figure in gray, with a rose at button
hole. The Chairman whispered that it
was the owner of the house and gar
den which had interested his Excel
lency that afternoon. His Excellency
looked little closer, but SOW only u
rim of iron gray hair above the paper
held before Old Roses face.
Then voice came from behind the
paper: "Your Excellency, Mr.. Chair
man and Gentlemen-"
At the first words the Governor
started, and his eyes flashed searching
ly, curiously at the paper that walled
the face and at the iron gray hair
The voice was distinct and clear, with
modulated emphasis. 1t had pc
culiarly penetrating quality. A few in
the room-and particularly Vic-were
struck by something in the voice
that it resembled another. She soon
found the trail. Her eyes also fastened
on the paper. Then she moved and
went to another door.
Here she could see behind the paper
at an angle. Her eyes ran from the
screened face to that of the Governor.
His Excellency had dropped the lower
part of his face in his hand, and he
was listening intently. Vic noticed
that his eyes were painfully grave and
concerned. She also noticed other
things.
The address was strange. 1t had
been submitted to the committee anG
though it struck them as out-of-the,
wayish, it had been approved. II
seemed different when read as OLD
Roses was reading it. The words
sounded so inclement as they were
chiselled out by the speakers voice
Dickey Merritt afterward declared that
many phrases were interpolated by
Old Roses at the moment.
The speaker referred intimately ant
with peculiar knowledge to the family
history of Lord Malice, to certain
more or less private matters which die
not concern the public, to the author.
ity of the name and the high duty de
volving upon one who bore the earl
dom of Malice. He dwelt upon tn,
personal character of his Excellency'i
antecedents, and praised their honor
able services to the country. He re
ferred to the death of Lord Malice
eldest brother in Burmah, but he die
it strangely.
Then, with acute incisiveness, he
drew picture of what person in Sc
exalted a position as a Governor
should be and should not be. Hi
voice assuredly had at this point fin,
edge of scorn. The aides-de-camI
were nervous, the Chairman apprehen
sive, the committee i'll at ease. Bu
the Governor now was perfectly still
though, as Vic Bowling thought
rather pinched and old-looking. Hi
eyes never wandered from that paper
nor the gray hair.
Presently the voice of the speaker
changed.
''But," said he, Gin Lord Malice W,
haye-the perfect Governor a man o
blameless and enviable life, and pos
sessed abundantly of discreetness
judgment, administrative ability anC
power; the absolute type of Englisl
nobility and British character !"
Then he dropped the paper from be
fore his face, and his eyes met thos,
of the Governor, and stayed. Lore
Malice let go a long, choking breath
which sounded very much like i'm
measurable relief. During the rest o
the speech-delivered in a fine TEN
pered voice-he sat as in dream, We
his eyes intently upon the other, VIII,
now seemed to recite rather than read
He thrilled all by the pleasant reson
ance of his tones, and sent the BLOOD
aching delightfully."- through Vic Dow
ling's veins.
When he sat down there was i'm.
mense applause. The Governor rosr
in reply. He spoke in a low voice
but any one listening outside woulC
have said that Old Roses was still