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

~, ana IN tnat eleBaub room sue
might have reminded one of II pearl in
its satin casket. Black-eyed and
haired, with 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 II new leaf in the
book of life for Barbara Esmond; Il
sensation as novel as it was delightful
az wish had mother to go to, or
a loving, tender, elder sister, mused
Barbara, restlessly. 81 scarcely un-
derstand my own feelings. ] wonder
if do love him as l should love the
man l intend to make my husband.
Husbandi" she added, with q little
tremulous sort of shudder. "Ihe
word implies a great deal. And Har-
ry Milbrook is to be my husband !"
Barbara was like u newly-caged
bird, restless, huttering 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
"Pm a fellow Of talent, unused Mr..
Milbrook, "and fellows of talent never
could endure to work like common
cart-horses. Therefore it follows that
1 must have money, and, possessing
none of my own, / must marry the art
icle. And although 1 object to red hair
and crooked spine, / am quite willing
to accept the incumbrance of a 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 byno means so deli
cate.
$50 you're TO be married. Hal n
said Mr.. Joseph Piercy, at the club.
"Yes, I'm going to be married; to d
cool hundred thousand, too, answered
Mr.. Milbrook, rubbing his hands.
"Who is it?"
"Oh, the lady, you mean?"
eyes, mean the lady.
'It's old Esmond's daughter"
"What, the star-eyed Barbara?"
Exactly so"
81 congratulate you, old fellow"
"Much obliged, answered Mr.. Mil
brook, indiferently pulling his mus
tache. 81 fatter myself it's prett,
good speculation for a fellow tha
travels ON his good looks alone. "
''I wieh she had sister for me, " OBJ
served Mr.. Percy.
81 don't. can't afford TO go halye
in the cash.
There was general laugh amont
the youths of fashion in the club room
at this scintillation of wit, and Mr.
Milbrook sauntered leisurely ont.
81 promised she should have m,
picture, thought Mr.. Harry, 'and
suppose the cheapest place l can hav'
it done is at the establishment of tina
poor devil of an artist in Grove street
/ guess I'll go round there"
1t was hard for SO exquisitely gottel
mp youth as Mr.. Milbrook TO be com
PEELED TO hide his light under tn
bushel of so obscure street as tina
toward which he now bent his foot
steps, but economy was just at presen
something of an object with this mod
ern Apollo Of ours.
Signor Fernelli, the artist, was a
home, n dark, courteous little Italian
with n wife and seven small children
and very glad he was to receive Mr.
Milbrook's order.
"On ivory, ! suppose, sir?'
''Yes, l suppose so. It's dreadfull
expensive" thought Harry, with
grimace; ''but engaged girls must hay
their own way, of course.
As no sat waiting for Signor Fernell
10 bring out somo specimens OF his art
V select tho most appropriate tize an