The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1896-12-23

somehow she didn't look very cordia
standing there in that long black thing
hanging around her.
"I don't wanter hinder you," he
continued.
~ wasn't thinkin' of goin' out" re-
piled Patience, and then she laughed.
"Now, what's the joke" asked the
squire, looking somewhat relieved at
this sudden change in demeanor on
her part.
81 guess / don't seem over'n above
polite" said Patience apologetically,
''but 1 couldn't keep from laughing to
think of goin' out in this rig, and she
threw off the cloak and stood smiling
and blushing before the squire.
"Why, Pattiel" cried the squire,
using the old familiar name uncon'
sciously, "you look pretty's q pic
ture."
81 guess you'll think I'm a fool, I"
said she.
"I guess not, he returned. "Seems
to me I've seen you wear that dress
before"
'T didn't s'pose you'd remember" "
murmured she.
"Don't seems though twas more'n
O week since you wore it to that party
over to our house." he continued in q
reminiscent tone.
"Don't itP" she returned family,
her eyes downcast.
"Pattie, " said he, regarding her ten
derly. 81 made q mistake great
many years ago-we won't talk about
that, though. But always thought a
sight of you, an I've been thinkin
considerable bout old times lately
an wonderin' if you didn't-that is j
you wouldn't give me another chance.
Would shell Did she understand
1t all seemed like dream.
81 want you for my wife, Pattie,
said he softly.
"Oh, Squire Willard, do you really
mean it u" she exclaimed TREMENDOUSLY
"Mean it Why, Pattie?" said the
squire reproachfully.
And his arguments in the afiirma
tive were 50 very conclusive and con
| winding that Patience felt her doubt
| gradually melt away and speedily be
lieved herself to be the happlest woman
in the world.
In fact they both sailed up into the
seventh heaven of bliss, whore they
1 doubtless would have remained indti-
nitely but for Patience's unfortunate
memory. She suddenly withdrew from
her lovers encircling arms.
esquire Willard" said she, serious
tly. 81 just forgot myself"
THAT'S all right; l hope you'll for
get yourself again." returned he
You'd better forget to call me squire,
too"
81 amt jokin'," said Patience, witt
dignity, "an' l think oughter know
bout that widder woman you're goin
to marry"
"Widder woman |" cried the squir,
in astonishment. 'I amt goin' tc
marry any widder, unless you're one.
"Don't you go regular to Linebrool
to see q widder with two grown-uI
daughters. demanded Patience.
"Yes, 1 do" answered the squire
his eyes twinkling, "but I dunno's In
'bliged to marry her f ] do"
'No. / s'pose you can go aroun'
breakin' women's hearts," returne,
Patience, her voice trembling. Sh
felt that her idol was shattered an,
her short-lived happiness at an end.
"Now, Pattie," said the squire, re
pressing an evident inclination t.
laugh, "I shouldn't thought you'd be
lisved any such yarn. / s'posed tina
you knew that 1 went over to Line
brook to sec Sister Ellen. She los
her husband six months ago and She
her girls have come there to live.
"Well, if that don't beat all.
dunno's you'll ever forgive me,
faltered Patience.
swell, I'll try, returned he srose
begin now"
The squire never did anything b.
halves, and certainly the happ.
penitent could not complain that h
was not very thorough in this matte
of granting absolution.
He made one demand, however
which was not refused, and on Ne'
Years Day the wedding bells ran
merrily for the squire aud his bride.
"Well, I'll be switched" exclaimel
Slster-in-law Susan, ''if Patience ain
a sly onel