The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1893-01-18
delusive visions of what might have
been.

II uOn tnlnk Ill settle on the DrAces
let to-day. The turquois is so pretty that
really can't decide between that and
the topaz"
Miss Fontaiue sauntered gracefully
toward the door, with her father and
Major Draper in attendance.
Upon my word, said Mr.. Fontaine,
with grimace expressive Of relief, "I
begin to think you never could tear
yourself away from the contemplation of
these trinkets, and it grows late. What
now, HelenaY"
For the spoiled beauty had paused
again in front of the glass showcases.
"Oh, papa, see those lilies of the val
ley in waxl Aren't they exquisite, with
their tiny bells and deep green leaves |
They are just what want for the draw
ing room etagere. How much are they9"
she questioned, turning to the clerk.
"Five dollars, ma'am."
"Papa, buy them for mel And oh,
papa, wouldn't a wreath of them, under
glass, be lovely for wedding present to
Stephania Wyllysl Where do you get
themP
"They are made by young lady, an
acquaintance of Mr.. Colds, ma'am, "
said the clerk. ''Any order you may
choose to leave"
"Yes-well, tell her to make circu.
lar garland, large enough to be au orna-
ment to parlor table. And must have
them by Wednesday, without fall"
Certainly, ma'am," assented the
clerk, entering the order in a portly
manuscript volume.
"1m so glad thought of it," lisped
the lady, turning to Major Draper. al
was so puzzled what to give Stephania.
Come; 1 really think am through
now."
And she entered Major Diapers car
riage with the step of a queen, quite
unconscious that the gentleman himself
appeared bored and anxious, in spite of
Mr.. Fontaine's efforts to entertain and
amuse him.
Helena Fontsine was handsome, in her
naughty, Cleopatra-like way-a golden.
haired girl, with dazzling complexion
of snow and carmine, almond-shaped
blue eyes, and lips as velvet-fresh as the
heart of fiery pomegranate flower.
And Helena Fontaine had always had
her own way through life, and now that
she had settled III her royal mind that
she would like Angus Draper for hus-
band, she no more thought it possible
for her to be thwartod than she deemed
it possible for the sun to rise in the west.
81 like him-oh, ever so much better
than Frank Falkland or Felix Downes,"
thought Helena, the evening she met him
at the first of series of tableaux vivants,
'and I'll have him"
So Mr.. Fontaine, having been given
to understand his daughters new freak,
invited Major Draper to dinner, and
drove with him in the Central Park, and
surrounded him with the most delicate
attentions and invisible snares of cordial
hospitality.
Angus Draper's nature was too per-
ccptive not to see through the fimsy
strategies. He smiled moodily to him
self.
"What matters it1" he mused. 'If
she likes me, may as we'll marry her as
any one else. never saw but one whom
/ really fancied, and She"
But there Angus Diapers soliloquies
Invariably stopped.
1t was nearly week subsequently that
Miss Helena Fontaine sat in her dress.
ing room, the victim of very bad tenn
per.
SITS too badl" pouted Helena, as
she ierl1ed the the curl papers out of her
golden hair. 81 wish he'd
propose, if he's going to! l wonder
how long he's going to be about it, and
| missing the best chances of the seasonl
Her maid appeared, with a startled
air, at the imperative peal of Miss Fon-
taine's little silver bell.
"Yes, mademoiselle
"Have Gold s. Jett sent home that
wreath OF lilies of the valleyl'
"No, mademoiselle.
"Send papa herel"
Mr.. Fontaine obeyed his daughters
summons.
''Papa," began Helena, frowning un-
til her pretty forehead looked as if it
we're quilted, ''that wreath has not
come home from Gold & Jett's, and
Stephania Wyllys is to be married to-
"Well, my dear, I don't really see
what we can do about it,"
"But l dol You must go there at
once, and if it isn't done, get the young
address, and hurry her up"
"But Helen, am particularly en-.
gagged"
''I can't help it; must have the
fowersln
Mr.. Fontaine knew better than to in.
eur any more decided demonstration of
MS daughters wrath; he turned away
without a remonstrance.
DRAPER" he said to the gentleman
he met at the club rooms, 81 wish you
would get them wax flowers fer Helena
She has quite set her heart on them, and
haven't time to attend to the business
they will give you the address at Gold |
& Jett's."
~ shall be very happy to oblige Miss
Fontaine, " said Major Draper, mechani
,ally.
He sauntered into Gold & Jett's. "No, |
he wreath ordered by Miss Fontaine
lad not yet been sent. Tney were very
iorry--the young lady was generally
more puuctual."