The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1897-06-30

early, and his old wife was just rolling
up her knitting-work to ascend the
stairs-a mild-face woman with a
white -frilled cap and brown calico
gown. While out in the dewy star
light by the gate Leah Linton stood,
leaning her elbows on the fence and
talking with a showily-dressed young
woman of about her own age.
"Never seen the city?" exclaimed
Flora Plimpton, echoing Leah's last
words. ''Never seen - the - city?
Well, 1 declared l don't believe there's
another girl in Tauhasset that could
say that! You're too deliciously green
for anything, Leah Linton"
In the soft, metallic starshine Leah
felt herself crimson to her very tenn
pies, with a sense of being somehow
put in the wrong.
mo-" she admitted; Ct"
"Leahl Leahl" called Mrs. Halli-
days gentle old voice from the win
dow. ''Time to go to bedl"
'Ill be there in a minutew Leah
called back.
And then they could hear the sash
softly close again.
"Such a stuffy old place" said
Flora, elevating her eyebrows. "And
yet you tell me they've got money!"
Mine hundred dollars in gold
eagles" said Leah, with a certain
pride in her accents. 81 saw Mr..
Halliday counting it out yesterday.
He drew it from the bank to buy the
mountain wood lot, and the lawyers
are delaying the title longer than he
expected"
81 should think he'd be afraid of its
being stolen," tentatively observed
Flora.
ooh, it's locked up in the old Dutch
cabinet, safe and soundl Besides, no.
body knows but what it is still in the
bank. But really, Flora, 1 can't go
on this excursion with you Fourth of
july" she added, regretfully.
"You can't go? And why not9 Oh,
Leah, you must gol Mr.. Ferguson
will be so disappointed if you aren't
there 1 can tell you, Leah, he's fair
ly raved about you ever since he
saw you at the station, the day he
came down to see me. 1 should be
quite jealous if hadn't another fellow
in my eye. He says he won't go if
you don't, and you'd hate to spoil the
excursion, wouldn't you? Why can't
you go?"
"AIr and Mrs. Halliday have ar
ranged to spend the day with their
married daughter up in Beverly" said
Leah, dejectedly. "They always go
every Fourth of July"
ooh, the selfishness of old people!'
said Flora, Indignantly. "And leave
you poked up here alone, when there's
an excursion boat stopping at Tauhas-
set Dock, with band and awnings and
all, aud you never were ON an excur-
sion in your lifel Oh, don't wonder
its enough to make anybody cry"
as a big tear-drop or so coursed down
Leah's cheek and splashed on the
sweet-brier leaves below. "Look here,
Leah! It's shame you never should
go anywhere or see anything"
They're not s-selhsh!" sobbed Leah,
an instructive sense of justice rising up
in her heart ''The are just as good
" ihO 10 lhey eau De, dhu L love luSu
dearly. But they don't like me to mix
much with the young folks hereabouts.
They're mostly trihing and no ac-
count, you know, in the factory and
down at the rubber works"
"Fiddlesticks!" said Flora Plimpton.
whats that but sheer selfishness?
Leah, you shall go! Now listen TO mel
Once get 'em fairly started off with
that old rattle-trap of theirs, with the
one-eyed horse'-she laughed ieering-
ly-"and then you come down to the
dock and wait for us. I'll see that
the boat don't go off without you.
Leah drew a quick breath.
81 never was on a steamer in my
life, /" said she. ''But, Flora, L hate
TO deceive them.
where's the odds?" airily demand
ed Miss Plimpton. you've got to de-
eeive people sometimes if you want to
get your rights.