The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1896-08-26

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turvy," he reflected. "What with
spring cleanin's all the year round and
the drivin', Bertha has had q terrible
hard time. And they do say in the
village. Well, WE'LL" he muttered,
checking himself, sit wasn't to be ex-
pected with her pretty face that Jim's
her first sweetheart. And if Will Car
ter deceived her, mebbe she'll think
the more of him. Jim just dotes on
her. More fule he Bad wives are of
no account whativer, and supposin'
you do hap on good woman, and it
pleases the Lord to take her, the years
won't fill tho emptiness in you she
leaves behind. 1 ought to knaw," and
Isaac heaved q mighty sigh. "1've
buried wives OF both sorts-three OF
'em."
Not a breeze stirred the lifeless
calm, and the midday sun poured
fiercely down. Presently he sought
the shade of a spreading tree which
overhung the wall few PAGES from
him. But he was no longer solitary.
Voices fell on his ear. Bertha Ire
CONS and that of the man who report
said had Tilted her.
"My poor Berthal You've no cause
to fear me. l knaw exactly how il
was you forsook me for James Hocken.
But / wrote wheniver l had the
chance"
"Not q single letter reached me-"
Because your mother waylaid the
postman.
Despite the heat Isaac shivered.
Willis insight was making clear much
that had puzzed him.
"Perhaps. What matters now2"
asked Bertha, in forlorn tones. "You
should have kept away. 1t would have
been kinder"
Sand let you continue to think
was false2 Lookee here, Bertha, you
promised to be my wife before even
Hocken courted you. And now you
knaw I've been faithful to you"
al durstn't break with Jim. Mother
is set on him. Oh, why did you come
You'll get fresh sweetheart, but jim
won't. And l shall keep my promise
to him."
But Bertha's love was unchanged
and to the breathless listener on the
other side of the wall, Wills tender
pleadings were the knell of his sons
hopes.
What girl who loved him could re
sist handsome Will Carter?
Gaunt and grizzled, with weather
beaten, strongly marked features, ht
he had always known that Jim wasn'
one that a girl would fancy. And
Bertha had only accepted him at hel
mothers bidding, believing that vii
was untrue to her. 1t was all so plaiI
to him now. Poor Jim even flower
that Bertha had pluoked was preciou
to him. Hadn't he found a ros,
whithered and dead in his pocket
And all his love in vain Isaac whipped
out his handkerchief, and mopped his
his face. Yet, If Will hadn't re
turned
But contrary to his expectation, the
girl was firm in her resolve.
''I won't listen to you," she said a
last, aroused by Wills upbraidings.
"Jim isn't to blanche knew nothing
of our sweethearting-nor am /. L
| ulun enIer my mlnu IndI mObuel
might we got your letters. How
should itP AS if you alone suffered +
she faltered. 'Let us part friends.
"Sweethearts or nothing" sale
Will grufiy.
With a swish, swish of feet through
the long grass, crawling to his knees
old Isaac peered cautiously over tn
wall. Bertha was running toward tn
house, and viii Carter, with his hea'
thrown back, striding in an opposit
direction.
"Bless the little maid |" he eiaculat
ed. zone time was afeared for Jim
But he's got good grip o. things
Yes, plenty more sweethearts TO
Will" he chuekled, observant of tn
pose of his head. "And there's bu
one in the world for my lad-Berth
Tregon. May my tongue be slit if
let out to him.
Rising, Isaac shouldered his baske
and proceeded on his round.