The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1896-10-28

woman, with good zeal OF 1alSe nGlr,
frizzed and pulled and braided on the
top of her head, and complexion that
bore remote witness to the constant
use of cosmetics. And Mr.. Piercy, at
his end of the table, was evidently i'll
at ease as he broke his egg and nibbled
diligently at his roll.
"But what was l to do, my dear?"
said he, after a brief silence. which
was by no means peaceful.
"Do?" shrilly retorted Mrs. Piercy.
"Why, what do other people do2 Are
we to keep a home for the INDECENT
poor, or refuge for the widowed and
fatherless?"
"My dear-my DEAR" pleaded Mr..
Piercy, who was q small man with thin
hair and spectacles, "you may be a
widow yourself some day"
"And if am shall not go begging
among my relatives, that you may de.
pend on" said Mrs. Piercy. "And,
after all, she isn't any relative of
your-only your brothers wife. I'd
like to know what earthly claim she
has upon you'll l declare the more l
think of it the more l am amazed at
the woman's presumption. Her very
name is an aggravation, too. plume
Percy indeed. I'll wager my new
lace pin that she was a second-rate
actress when she married your brother.
No, Mr.. Piercy, if you think that /"
But here the torrent of the lady's
eloquence was cut short by the unex-
pected appearance on the scene of the
very subject of her objurgation-a
tall, pretty woman of about four and
twenty, whose wavy, golden tresses
and delicately fair complexion con-
trasted vividly with the deep mourn
ing weeds she wore.
"a veil down to her feet" mentally
calculated Mrs. Abel Piercy. "Aud
six-inch bias band of the very best
Courtland Grape on her gown. Iwon-
der who's expected to pay for all this?"
Aesl fiercy, the kindest hearted Of
little men, welcomed his brothers
widow with genuine hospitality; but
Matilda, his wife, looked askance at
her, with no friendly smile.
"Of course you will consider this
your home" said Mr.. Piercy, as he
made haste to draw chair close to the
fire.
"Until you are able to suit yourself
somewhere else" crisply added his
wife.
The widow said little; she only
looked, with large, wistful eyes, from
one to the other as she sat there, the
morning sunshine turning her fair
locks to braided masses of gold, the
pearly delieacy of her skin arousing
the liveliest envy in Mrs. Abels heart.
Though, of course, it's only some
French balm, or Circassian cream or
other, that haven't heard Of" said
she to herself,
But after Mr.. PiercY had buttoned
on his overcoat and gloves. he came
back to the breakfast room, while his
wife was putting up the children's
school lunches in the pantry.
''Pm not much Of a talker, Plume" I"
said he, in an odd, hesitating way /;
"but you are welcome, my dear-very
welcome. And hope you will try to
feel at home. Don't mind Matilda
Just at first. She's a little peculiar,
Matilda is, but l do assure you
she's"
''Mr. Percy" uttered a sharp,
warning voice at this instant from the
threshold, sis it possible that you
haven't started yet? And You know
how particular Bulge and Bodley are
as to your getting to the store at nine
o'clock precisely"
Mr.. Piercy turned pink all over.
''Yes, my dear-yes, said he, 'pm
quite sure to be in timel"
And off he started on a gentle trot.
When he was gone Plume took off
her bonnet and veil, removed her
mantle and gloves, and went into the
kitchen.