The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1897-04-07

fYt(/Wl/I//NSK%So mentioned stage
~ V"U'0 w ~ about the time
Clarence Parker reached his twenty
fifth year. His father left this scene
of earthly change when Clarence was
growing youngster OF two years, and
his mother, the sweetest tempered lit
tie woman to be found, Immediately
commenced system Of indulgence ad-
mirably calculated to make milksop
of her only son and the heir to his
fathers large estate.
That he did not grow up vicious was
probably due to the fact that he fairly
idolized his mother, and would not
have grieved her for any amount of
self qualification. Also, it must be
confessed, because he was too indolent
to care to seek pleasure that did fall
directly across his path.
He had been educated by private
tutor, till he entered college. had
graduated there and travelled through
Europe with his mother.
Mrs. Parker was a little woman, q
mere mite beside her tall, stalwart
son, who called her by thousand pet
diminutive names, IN half a dozen
languages. She was blue eyed, fair
haired and daintily pretty. neat to the
extreme OF nicely, gentle, low voiced
ana exquisitely feminine, yet withal
with we'll stored mind and an intel
lect that made her charming com-
panion, even for her college. fedged
son. Many suitor had tried to win
her from "a one devotion, but in vain.
all her that was not her sons
was buried Ahis fathers grave, and
she never putVa the soft grays, puppies
and neutral tints OF second mourning.
''When you are married, Claire, ]
will buy one pink rose in honor of the
OCCASION" she would say. But at
twenty. five, Clarence had never given
her occasion TO think OF the pink rose.
j have said no was spoiled, and in q
certain sense he was. Without any
vicious tendencies, he lacked the am
bition and energy that are the attri-
butes of q true, manly nature. Tall,
strong, In perfect health, handsome as
young Apollo, he was content to
dawdlo through life, spending his am
pie income upon dress, jewelry. opera
tickets, q well-appointed equipage,
aud the means of lazy, useless ex.
istence. And his mother, proud of his
beauty, his polished courtesy of man.
ner, his devotion to herself, asked no
more.
But she was truly loving woman,
and when Clarence was twenty-five
was willing to concede her throne in
his affections to younger, stronger
love, the love that would brighten her
sons life with home happiness when
her scepter was in the colin.
And half proudly, half regretfully,
she recognized the fact that the ideal
of womanhood he had founded upon
her example made him far too fastid-
ious in his intercourse with the girls
of modern society. A loud voice an
noyed him. A brusque manner dis
gusted him.
'When l find young lady as gen.
tie, refined and lovely as yourself" he
would say, al will move heaven and
earth to win her. Until then, let me
enjoy my liberty"
1t was in the late spring and Mrs.
Parker was preparing for her annual
removal to her country seat at Chest.
nut Hill, when q letter reached heI
from her cousin and lifelong friend il
Ohio, begging her to take charge oI
his only daughter for few months,
while he was absent upon a trip to the
far West. He wrote:
''You have so often urged me to ALLOW
MyrI to pay YOU visit that l do not hest
tate now to ask your hospitality for her.
cannot well take her With me, Rs we are
party OF nine men upon prospecting jaunt
| do not like to leave her here alone. VII
you add to your kindness by using tho en-
closed check for her dress. We have liveC
In this lonely seclusion so long that do no
doubt her whole attire will be startlingl,
primitive, and she has no friends here &
/ help her select anery."
There was much more, read aloud tC
Clarence, with this explanation:
''My cousin John became a hermit
when his wife died, ten years ago. HI
is wealthy, and man of learning, bu
he has buried himself for years upoI
lonely farm. have urged him of
ten to send Myra to a good school, ant
let her make her home with me, bu
he said the child was his only comfort
aud l believe they have been INSOFAR
able from her babyhood. She Isle
me see-she must be nineteen"
Clarence made q grimace.
"When does she Gomez" he asked
Thursday. We shall bo at Chest
nut Hill, but you can come into tn
city to meet her"
"Certainly."
And at the appointed time, in
faultless suit OF summer gray, Mr.
Clarence Parker drove his carriag
and coal-blaek horses to the depot
The tram was just in. and he watches
the passengers stream by till one an
swered his ideas of his expecte,
cousin.
A girl, very tall, very straight an