The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1896-06-24

phone began to carry on a converse
tion with some one without asking his
employer what to say. Half of con-
versation is always amusing, and
pidues the curiosity to know what the
other half might be. Smiths share
in this conversation was;
"No."
"No."
al don't know" .
"No. Who are you?"
Number FiveY'
At these words Mr.. Ward started
mp. "Who is talking?" be asked,
al don't know; it is a girl who says
she is Number Five and asks if you
are sick"
Ward rose with some excitement.
"Has she a shrill, screechy voice?'
"0h, no, indeedt she has very
nice voice, / think"
"Let me lhere, " said Ward, pushing
Smith rather rudely away.
''Is il Miss Lester2" he asked.
''It is Number Five" was the reply
with the remembered sound Of laugh
ter in the tones.
"Where have you been this long
while?" inquired Ward eagerly.
II have been very i'll.
care you sure you are quite we'll
now? Are you able to be at work2
Ought you not to have stayed at home
another week?"
Ward was amazed at his own anxiety
in asking these questions.
He was surprised at the solicitude
he felt as he noted the evident weak
ness and WEAKNESS of the woman in
her voice, as she replied, 81 am not
very strong, but could not afford TO
be idle any longer"
"Have you no one to take care Of
you?" he asked.
There was now a sound of tears in
the voice that sadly replied, "lhere
are several who are depending upon
me-"
"Please, Miss or Mrs. Lester, I
don't care which it is, do moi be
offended with me, but must say what
is in my thoughts, you are toe weak to
be permitted to go home alone. Let
me call for you and take you home in
my buggy. 1 can come at any hour ="
A pause. "You can trust me. in
deed, you can. l make the PROPOSE
tion with only feeling of humanity.
You are sick, you need little of the
attention and care which an old, for
lorn bachelor like my self can give
honorably, and simply in the case of
common brotherhood. Say that l
may come.
There was silence. Ward faneied
he heard smothered sob, and his
heart beat rapidly at the thought that
she was suffering, but he would not
urge her further. 1t certainly was
asking a great deal of her, but if she
trusted him she should not regret it.
The answer given, with hesitation,
was, al am not sure that am doing
right, hut I am really very weak, and
| will trust you. You can come at
six. How will know you?"
Ward described his horse and car
riage, and the place at which he would
be waiting for her, and at the ap.
POINTED hour was promptly on hand.
One after another, girlish and wo-
manly figures came down the stairs
and took their various ways, bat no
one looked as if expecting him.
''Has she fooled me after all?"
thought he; but just as he was con.
Guiding that he was the victim of q
hoax, he saw light figure come
welrIly down the stairs, and after
hesitating moment, cross the side
walk to where his carriage stood. She
was rather tall and light, her face was
hidden by veil, but all doubt as to
her identity was dispelled by her APP
preaching and saying in the we'll
known voice, "Is this Mr.. WardP"
In q moment he was on the pave.
ment and assisting her into the buggy.
As he took his place by her side he
inquired, "Where shall drive?"
"Forty-seyen. Carol street." was
the reply.
They drove in silence until the busy
portion of the city had been left, and
then, turning to his companion, he
said, 81 have missed you a long time.
Have You been i'll long? And when
did you come back to the Officer"
eyes, have had a serious illness,
and l only returned to the Office work
regularly yesterday. was very weary
last night when l reached home. AM
tonight was feeling that L should
never be able to get there, when you
made your kind offer. l believed you
TO be a gentleman, and l accepted it. D
81 believe l am a gentleman, Miss
Mrs which is it?" he asked
abruptly. 'You surely will tell me
Your name now"
81 am not married, " she answered.
"And now one more kindness. Let
me see your face?"
Without word she raised her vel
and disclosed pale, thin face, whicl
even in health lacked elements o.
beauty, and yet which bore, even il
illness, traces OF modesty, intelligenc,
ami sweetness %. disposition. Having
trJ-eJ h.m tbus fer Miss Lester
seemed disposed 10 tcls. MIA still
,tr.hsr, autaYgry les queries suaiceC