The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1895-10-30


she, being more clear OF conscience,
ard therefore self-possessed, spoke
first.
can which of 'oe won me2" she
asked, calmly.
There was silence again for q full
minute, and then Thomas Bullasy gig
gled; and then he trusted to the
humor of the situation and answered
boldly: "Nuther of us; us'll try again,
though"
81 wouldn't try agen," said Ann
Tod, soberly; "a penny's penny, an
there's no use wastin money bout the
matter"
Then she ceased being sober, and
smiled up at them with allurement In
her half-closed eyes.
''I'll settle it, she declared; "you
come long with me-" and her smile
was indeed so alluring, and her mood
so convincing, that they rose without
protest and followed her down the
cliff.
When they had reached the waters
edge they began to wonder as TO their
future; but there was no manner of
hesitation about Ann Tod.
"Get IN the little boat" she muir
INJURED coaxingly, and they did SO.
"Tis nigh 1 O'clock" chuckled
Thomas BullasY aside 70 Noah Capel
mot much time to spare"
But Noah Capel was smiling in
broad contentment as he watched. Ann
Tod; and she, smiling also guileless-
ly, made fast the little boat to the
stern of the ferry-boat, aud, spring
ing into the latter, grasped the oals.
''Now, 1 tel'ee," she said, as she
pulled away from shore with her two
swains we'll in tow, "whichever of zee
wants me most by the time us gets
ome agen, shall have me. An that's
plain enuf, isn't it?"
"Us won't agree upon the matter, :"
they protested, chivalrously. But
Ann Tod laughed softly and shook her
curly head.
1t was Tredennack dinner hour
when they left Tredennack Beach, so
there were no witnesses of their de-
parture, and they were we'll out upon
the face of the river before the clock
in Tredennack church tower sent its
changing notes across the water to tell
of l o'clock.
A half-nervous smile lay on the
faces of Noah Capel and Thomas Bull
lasy as they heard it, and they grew
uncomfortable upon their plank.
"That's work time, ventured Noah
Capel, with giggle.
Claw, now, Is itP" remarked Ann
Tod calmly, as she looked away at the
tower meditatively.
Gus oughter be back" ventured
Thomas Bullasy.
"This is better'n work, don't zee
consider?" queried Ann Tod, turning
her sleepy, smiling eyes full on him.
"Better'n work." Thomas affirmed,
with half-dazed appreciation. "But
-us-ought'er be back"
They were nearing the other side by
this time, and rs Ann Tod looked up
at the sloping gardens there was more
in her eyes than the sleepy smile with
which she had looked on Thomas Bull
lasy; mayhap it was the devilment he
had remembered earlier in the day.
AMI in these gardens sloping to the
river, where the water Tapped the
thick stone walls and left them green
and Shiny to the measure of the tide
stood matrons with babies in their
arms, old grandfathers smoking after
dinner pipes, youths netting, maids
coquetting, children playing in the
sun. And as the boats came alongside
Ann Tod's arm slackened stroke, and
jerking her head toward the lovers in
her wake she called upward to the
groups;
"What do zee think of my sweet
hearts? They's come for bit of a
boat ride for to see which loves me.
There's no time for the considerin' of
such things on dry land"
And then she threw back her head
and showed her broad, white teeth,
and laughed and laughed, a most in
fectious laugh. Then the idlers in
the gardens leaned upon their walls.
and gazing upon the boats as they
drifted slowly by, sent back words of
rare appreciation. And Noah Capel
and Thomas Bullasy sat and chafed
upon the seat, and regretted the artis-
tic prominence OF empty hands and
the over. brilliance of blushing cheeks,
as they endesvored to swallow back
the modification which rose in their
throats, and grinned sheepishly under
the blaze of ruthlessly critical eyes.
All along by the houses they drifted
with the stream, and when at last the
treble-voiced children also realized
that there was humor in the scene
shrill shouts of derision added to their
elders broad outlaws.
All this Noah Capel and Thomas
Bullasy bore awhile with feeble
smiles about their lips, but the weight
of the part they were called upon to
play grew irksome to them, and they
fretted under the burden of the com
edy.
"Us'll go back now, eff you please"
remarked Noah Capel severely.
But Ann Todd only smiled upon
him.
"Ef you'll let me take them oars"
suggested Thomas Bullasy, '1'll be
gettin' back to work.
'Law, nowi 1 wouldn't for worlds"
declared Ann Tod. 'I do love
good long ride on the water"
"Then I'm blest ell don't cut this
ere 'tarnal rope !" cried Noah Capel,
reused into aggression by the sight of
the nearing quay, with its knots of