The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1895-10-09


to study paleontology, but to slip out
in the garden where a great Michigan
rose carpeted the velvet grass with
showers of soft pink petals at every
passing breath of air, and where
Charley Everett was busted in whit
tling out stakes for carnationsl
"Oh, Charley, Charley am so
miserable /"
'Lizzy, what is the matter?"
He dropped knife, and all, in dis
may at her woeful countenance, and
Lizzy told him 10 the best of her abil.
ity what "the matter" was
SIS that all, he asked quietly, when
the recital was concluded.
Isn't that enough" she rejoined,
piteously. "When we we're going to
have such n nice drive oil by our
selves, and come home by moonlight,
and"
Don't fret, cara mia, it will be all
right. So she won't consent to our
marriage, eh?"
"She says most positively that she
will not"
"What shall we do, Lizzy? Shall
we elope quietlyP"
"Oh, Charley, you know would
never marry without her consentl"
"And are two lives to he made mis-
erable just because she thinks matri-
mony q mistaken" he asked gravely.
81 suppose SO, Charleyl"
Lizzy Dewsford's pretty head
dropped like q rose in the rain.
Charley watched her quivering lip and
tear-wet eyelashes, and said no more !
Mrs. Dewsford was ready, with a
preposterous drab umbrella to keep off
the sun, tin case to put ferns in, and
an extra pair of boots, in the event OF
swampy walking, when Mr.. Everett's
little light wagon drove up to the door.
The springs creaked ominously as she
stepped in, and Lizzy, meekly follow
ing, was nearly overwhelmed by her
mothers voluminous draperies.
al had better sit in the middle-it
preserves the equilibrium of the We
hicle better" said Mrs. Dewsford,
wedging herself in between Lizzy and
Mr.. Everett with smile OF great COM
pluCSuCJs
And she Immediately began dis
coursing on the properties and habits
of the fern, with unpausing volubility,
while Lizzie, perched on the extreme
outer edge of the seat, had all she
could do to keep in the wagon, and
Mr.. Everett's eyes were in extreme
danger with the points of the drab
umbrella. which veered to and fro
like ship in storm, as Mrs. Dews-
ford's tale waxed in interest.
Suddenly she checked herself, as
her eye caught cluster of green wav-
ing vegetation on the crest like point
of rock which overhung the road.
"Charlesl Charles |" she cried,
"stop n minute Can't you reach
that Asplenium Ebenum?"
sis this it, ma'am?" said Mr.. Ev.
erett, making dive at tall mullen
stalk.
"No, no; not that-the little green
thing with the black stem !"
"This, ma'am?' hazarded Charley,
clutching at fat.leaved clover OF
weedy growth.
"Oh, dear, dear, Charles, how stu.
pid you are!" sighed Mrs. Dewsford.
"I'll jump out and get it myselfl"
"Mamma |" demonstrated Lizzy.
"Oh, I'll help her !" nodded Charley,
springing nimbly on the cliff, and
pulling Mrs. Dewsford by main force
up the steep side of the rock. "Here
you are, ma'am !"
"Yes," painted Mrs. Dewsford; "but
but it wac very steep. I really think
women should devote more attention
to gymnastics. Oh, here's the Aspien-
ium-very choice specimens, too.
Charles, where are you going"
For Mr.. Everett had sprung back
into the wagon.
"Only for a little turn, ma'am,
while you are collecting your botani'
cal treasures.
"Yes; but, Charles"
Mrs. Dewsford's words of remon.
STRANGE were drowned in the rattle OF
the wheels, as Mr.. Everett drove
briskly away. with Lizzy Nesting up
at his side. One long lingering glance
she gave after the departing pair, and
then returned to her tin case and um
brella.
"They'll be back presently" she
said.
But the afternoon sunlight faded of
from the cliff, and the red orb of day
sank majestically down behind the
evergreen glens that bounded the
western horizon, and Mrs. DewsforG
grew tired aud cross and rheumatic,
and still, like the character of TO
NANCE "they came not"
Something has happened" /" cried
the prophetic soul OF Mrs. DewsGord.
''It can't be possible that shall have
to stay here all night I"
She looked nervously round. 1t was a
tall, steep cliff whereon she stood, Gu
off from the woods beyond by th,
rush and roar of wide and by nC
means shallow stream on one side
while on the other three it was almos
perpendicular, rising some twenty
feet up from the road Mrs. Dews
ford began to feel as she surveyed it
very much like st. Simon Stylites OIL
his column in the wilderness.
'If they shouldn't come" sh
thought
But at the same instant a welcom,
rumbling of wheels broke the husheC
stiffness of the seldom Travelled noun
tain road, and Mrs. Dewsford'
strained eyes caught sight of Mr.
Everett's spirited QIays flashing rouuC