The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1898-05-25

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solemn and detected air" "that is the
woman who, year ago, was the picture
Of health, and never minded going to
market in rain or snow. Nobody's
home was kept nicer than ours, no.
body's children so bright and tidy;
and now"
Ho paused and shook his head slow
ly and despondently.
Lavinia patted his shoulder, as she
passed behind him to take pie out of
the oven.
Never mind, Uncle Samuel. just
wait awhile, and see what my medicine
will do. She'll be the same woman in
one month from now that she used
to be-"
''If you'll do that, Winnie" said Per-
rot, earnestly, "I'll make you pres
ent OF your wedding-dress, and some
thing handsome into the bargain.
And Winnie, her comely face flush
ing as she drew out the pie, smiled,
and remarked that the oven was very
hot.
That evening, after supper, she and
her uncle had long talk together.
Next day was Sunday day, bright
and warm as June.
''Marthy," said Perrot, wouldn't
you like to step to the church round
the corner? It's only little way, and
the fresh air and sunshine would do
you good"
"If had l the strength" said Mrs.
Perrot, plaintively, ''and wasn't SO
liable to catch cold. Mrs. Massey
thinks my lungs are threatened"
"Does she? Well, I'm sorry to hear
it," said Perrot, with an air of con-
cern. Perhaps you'd as we'll stay in
by the fire, and take care of yourself
though 1 do feel rather lonesome
going to church every Sunday by
myself, and The children don't behave
near so we'll without you to look after
them"
Poor things!" said the invalid,
with sigh, 'they may too soon know
what it is to need mothers care. do
hope, Samuel, that you will give them
one who will be good and kind to
them, though nobody can ever fill the
place Of real mother"
"Wby, yes, Marthy. You must
know that 1 would never think of
choosing any but good woman to
fill your place in the family" re-
piled Perrot, meekly.
His wife glanced up sharply, but he
was slowly stroking his chin and star
ing at the ceiling.
Mrs. Perrot read her Bible and
hymn-book by the fire while Lavinia,
who stayed at home to attend to the
dinner, peeped through the blinds at
the people returning from church.
"How many more women there are
than menI" she observed. "And
there comes Uncle Samuel. How
we'll he looksl don't seem to have
grown any older than he used to be.
Why, Aunt Martha, who's that lady
he's walking with?"
cold Mrs. Badger, is it?" said Mrs.
Perrot, looking up from her book.
ooh no-nothing like her. She's
rather young and handsome"
Mrs. Perrot found strength enough
to walk to the window.
"Why, it's that Widow Vaughan,
who's on visit to the Browns, oppo-
site. How could he have picked her
up?"
"Maybe she picked him up" sug-
gested Lavinia, knowingly. 'I've
always heard that young widows are
ready to have any man wait on them,
married or single"
Il She looks pert enough" said Mrs.
Perrot, disparagingly.
Her husband came in presently,
looking pleased and cheerful.
III wish you'd have gone tochurch,
Marthy. We had good sermon, and
its delightful day for walking"
"How did you pick up that frisky
Widow Vaughan?" inquired Mrs.
Perrot, abruptly.
"Well 1 happened to come out of
church at the same time with the
Browns, and they said something
about the sermon, aud somehow Mrs.
Vaughan and me dropped behind
She's very fine woman, and an
agreeable talker."
"Chatters away all the time like o
poll-parrot. Never gives anybody
a chance to say anything"
"She asked about you and was very
sorry when 1 told her how bad you
were. She offered to look after Ellen
and Tommy at church, and keep them
quiet"
"She did, did she? I'd like to see
the woman that I'd let meddle with
my childrenp said Mrs. Perrot, in
dignantly.
In her excitement she forgot to take
her medicine an omission which she
only discovered next morning, and
was surprised that she had not suffered
from it.
81 wouldn't take it to-day either,
Aunt Martha, il 1 were you," said
Lavinia. "Neither the sassafras tea,
which, if it does purify the blood, i'm
poverishes it, too, and makes you thin
and pale. I've heard Doctor Graves
say so. Why, only year ago you
were as plump and rosy as-as Mrs.
] Vaughan. for instance-and. now you