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


at the fair face, which was younger
and fresher than ever without the jet
black circlet of the bonnet, and the
slight, graceful figure before her.
"No, l thank you," said she. 81
am not used to having fine ladies in
my kitchen"
"But if you will lend me an
apron"
"No, thank you, Mrs. Oswald
Percy" repeated the housewife.
''You will find the newspaper in the
hall. Perhaps the advertising col
umns may interest you"
"We ar, SISTERS" said the young
widow, with a quivering lip. "Will
you not call me Plume?"
"Oh, no we're no relations at all,
in reality ~ said Mrs. Abel Piercy,
weighing out ounces of sugar and
pounds of -four with an unerrin9
hand. "And really your name is such
a very peculiar one. Jane, or Martha,
or Eliza, would have been more to my
taste. Perhaps, however," with
keen, sidelong glance, "you have been
on the stage?"
NO." said Plume "I was teacher
when Oswald married me. But what
did you mean about the advertising
columns of the papers?"
Situations, you know" said Mrs.
Percy, reaching over to the raisin
box. Bridget, you have been at
the raisiDs, as true as live There's
half of 'em gone since l was here
last |"
"No, mum, haven't |" sharply re-
sponded Bridget, who was used to
these kitchen skirmishes. "Sure 1
never lived in q house before where
they counted the raisins and the Jumps
of coal, and il don't suit, mum, it's
months warning from to-day, if yes
place"
"Situations !" repeated Plume, half
afraid of Bridget's warlike demeanor,
or half puzzled at her sister-in-law's
words.
eyes" said Mrs. Abel, tartly, pay
ing no attention to Bridget and her
skillet-'ina a glove factory you know,
or in fancy store, or even as nursery
governness or attendant to some eld-
erly invalid. For OF course you know"
with another of those oblique looks
that made poor Plume feel SO uncom-
Portable, ''you expect to work fer
your living. We are not rich enough
to support all our relations. Abel's
salary was reduced last year, and no
one knows how strictly have to econ
omize in order to make ends meet.
And strong young woman like you
ought to be ashamed to sit down
on sickly man with family, like my
husband"
"Stop-oh, stop |" said Plume, lift
ing up her hand, as If to ward off some
invisible terror. "He said was well
come. He told me-"
"rhat's just like Abel" said Mrs.
Piercy, scornfully. "He'd take in all
creation if he could. He never stops
to think whether he can afford it or
not"
81 am sorry that intrude," said
Plume, with dignity. ''It shall not
be for long. l will look at the news.
paper at once.
eyes, that's deal the best plan, I"
assented Mrs. Piercy, ungraciously.
"Of course you won't mention our
little chat to Abel. He might be
vexed; and, after all, I'm only speak
ing for your good"
Plume looked at her with an ex-
preston of face which somehow made
Mrs. Abel Piercy feel as if she were
shrinking up like withered walnut in
Its shell.
"Yes, I know" said the young
widow. "But you need not be afraid !;
1 am no tale bearer, to make mischief
in any ones family"
Mrs. Piercy felt very uncomfortable
after this little conversation was
ended.
"How she did look at me !" thought
she. "But / only spoke the truth,
after oil. We can't be burdened with
her support, let Abel talk as he pleases.
And no matter what she says, believe
she has been an actress. No one but
an actress could ever put on such royal
ways as that"
Half an hour afterward, when the
bell rang, and some one inquired for
Mrs. Oswald Piercy, Mrs. Abel nodded
her head to the cake she was taking
out of the oven.
Company already" said she; sand
gentlemen company, as l live! Well,
If this is the way she intends to go on,
the sooner she suits herself with a
situation the better !"
Mrs. Piercy had been secretly anx-
| TO- IN Of IN n,
with her sister-in-law. Here it was at
last; and when the old gentleman with
| the glossy broadcloth suit WAS gone,
she bounced into the parlor with a red
spot on either cheek-bone like signals
of war.
$50 you have been receiving COM
pany, Mrs. Oswald?" said she.
eyes" Plume innocently answered.
"Gentlemen company, tool" cried
Mrs. Pieroy.
at was Mr.. Van Orden, my hus.
bands lawyer" explaimed.Plume.
"Oh, dare say !" said Mrs. Piercy.
can that sounds very well but have
the character of my house to look to,
and"
"He is coming back with a car
riage." hurriedly spoke Plume. 81
am to go to his wife's house at once.
Mrs. Van Orden is willing to give me
the shelter which my own husbands
relatives grudge mel"
"I wish her Joy of her bargain, l
am sure" said Mrs. Abel Piercy, with
a toss of the mountains of false hair
that crowned her head.
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