The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1896-10-07

fill the shelves of O well-stocked pan
try; the younger people inter mingled
freely; games started; o girl with an
unframed, linnet-like voice seated her
self at the atshmatic melo1eon and
sang from the Gospel Hymns" The
Harlow's ''tin wedding surprise" was
q social success.
Lou Harlow, bustling about among
the guests, was more bhsily hostess
like than Mrs. Harlow herself. 'tSarell
never mistrusted until the last min.
ute," she was telling everyone.
"When we suggested her fixing more'n
usual for the evening, she said she
just knew something was up"
'Yes, it was a real surprise until
then," corroborated Sarell Harlow,
her usually quiet face very animated.
'I didn't suppose anyone would re.
member that Will and had been mar
ried ten years to-day. It's real pleas.
ant to have ones friends so remember
ing"
Mrs. Greer, taking inventory of the
tin things on the table, smiled benig.
nantly upon the speaker. She had
found but one dipper among the pile,
and naturally felt the prestige of be.
ing the only person who had given On
unduplicated article. Mrs Dodgson,
the local merchants wife. began talk
ing at her elbow.
elbow nice Lou Harlow looks to.
night. That lace at her throat is very
becoming. I hear something about
her and your 'Rastus. How's that"
Mrs Green drew herself up stiffly.
''Folks can hear q good DEAL" she
said.
'Rastus looks rather young to
think of marrying. And Lou-why,
she's-let me see." Mrs. Dodgson
screwed her face into arithmetical
Fuckers. "She three years older n
'Rastus l remember she was born
the same year as my Ameret."
ooh we'll, it's the fashion nowadays
for men to marry older'n themselves, :"
Mrs. Green answered, with bland
ness born of remembrance that Mrs.
Dodgson's own son had welded a
woman ten years his senior "a widow
with an overgrown daughter just en-
tering her teens and that the affair
was very displeasing to his people.
But her neighbor's friendly inquisi-
tiveness set her into new train of
thought. What if Lou Harlow had
been the one whom 'Rastus had fam
cied? Before her rose vision of
heavy bread. cake smelling of saler-
atus, careless housekeeping-which
she knew to- be tue rule at the Harlow
homestead; she thought of what it
would be to live day after day with
LOUIS giggling laugh, her persistent
chatter and good -natured oAicious-
nessl Looking across the room at
one who but few hours ago she had
characterized as ''that fitterin' little
Holland girl, "she noted with stirring
of pride akin to what she felt in 'Ras-
tus the trimness of the black gowned
figure, the quiet manner, the delicate
contour of face whose prettiness did
not conceal decision and capability.
'Rastus was talking with her now. his
attitude marked by that new dignity
which his mother had noticed of late.
Something in the turn of his head re-
minded her of his father when he had
come courting out Pemigewasset way,
where she had lived as O girl.
When came homewRrd movement
among the guests Mrs. Green paused,
talking in the open door on her way
out. Her quick eyes had recognized
two young figures at the gate, and she
turned her back upon them, barring
| &c IsaH
81 have enjoyed it all so much I;
haven't you, Mis- English9 l dothink
a surprise tin weddin' the best way of
rememberin' the anniversary.-it don't
make so much work for the folks of
the house. Seems to me it's pretty
long while since you and your hus-
band have been up to tea with me.
Now, why can't you be mite more
neighborly and come soonp Say
Wednesday. Nothin' to hinder? Well,
I'm real glad. Aud you are to bring
your niece. Nothavin' any girl of any
own like to see bright face like
hers round once in a while. 1 guess
'Rastus must have got the horse IN.
hitched by this time. Goodnight. :"
'Rastns was patting Nell's nose as he
stood by her when his mother came
out. Retta Holland was still at the
gate; waiting for her aunt and uncle,
and Mrs. Green smiled at her as she
passed. Mother and son drove along
the bush-fringed lane at a plodding
gait; for old Nell seemed in an indol-
ent mood, 'Rastus 10th to urge her on.
The moonlight lay white and beauti-
full over everything.
''pve asked Mr.. and Mrs. English to
tea next Wednesday" said Mrs. Green.
She cleared her throat at the eager in
terest on 'Rsstuss face, and added what
she knew would establish perfect un-
derstanding between herself and him.
'And I've asked the niece, too"
"Have you?" In 'Rastus's voice
was thrill of such gladness as comes
when one is twenty-three and in love
for the first time. "Have your"
How much the boy looked like his
father in spite of having her eyes and
eAinI Mrs. Green felt a sudden all
embracing motherliness that let the
girl of his love into the depths of her
heart. But she only said, in a matter
of fact way;
"I should think 'twould he real
lonesome for the Englishes bein' as
their house is where there ant never
any passin'. l should hate to live SC
far from folks. 1 wouldn't for any
thing"
bRostus turnad aud Ioolad bool