The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1898-02-16

W&&nk1, NJ you are mistaken.
2A ~ There has been
GzGZzkXM no falling out
between Mr.. Sangster and myself.
Indeed, l am not on sufficiently soci-
able terms with any of your gentle
man boarders to have a quarrel.
Saying which, Lucy Hilderburn,
slight, delicate featured girl of eight
cen, walked out of the room with even
more than her wonted dignity of man
ner and carriage.
Nevertheless, Notwithstanding"
pursued Mrs. Collins, resuming her
ironing, which had been interrupted
by the young lady's entrance. 81 do
believe there's been a misunderstand-
in between those two, and a real pity
it is, for he did admire her amazin'ly.
He couldn't conceal it, And 'twould
been good thing for her, poor
child Only they seldom knows what
is good for 'em, these young things,
and she's a-lettin' her pride stand in
the way of her happiness now"
Pride, indeedr' sneered Miss Jane
Humphries, Mrs. Collins nice and as
sistant, tall, red-haired, stylishly-
dressed damsel os fve-and-thirty.
"rd like TO know what right girl
who earns her livin' by givin' music
lessons at fifty cents an hour has to be
proud; and as for Mr.. Sangster. 1
don't believe he ever had serious
thought about her. The idea of an
intellectual young man like him fancy
ing girl simple enough to be afraid
of ghosts. He was only amusin' him
self, playin'i ion her vanity, and she's
found that out and is just poot'n' on
airs now to try and pull the wool
over her eyes, as the sayin' is"
''La, Jane, 1 don't know where
You eyes kin be, if you didn't see
how fairly wrapped up in her he was
about two weeks ago; and as to her
havin' no right to be proud, cause
she's poor, 1 b'lieve it's for that very
reason she is proud, poor little heartl
He's in real good business, Mr..
Sangster," Mrs, Collins presently
added, in musing tone, 'and is a
splendid young man, anyhow-just
the best person to take care of that
poor little strugglin' sensitive orphan
girl. I'll see if can't mend matters
between 'em. ."
"Youd better be mindin' your own
business, / think, Aunt Martha,
said Miss Jane, with a spiteful laugh
and a sidelong glance at her own
highly -frizzed and powdered reflection
in the little square of looking-glass
that hung against the kitchen wall.
"Never you mind, Jane" persisted
warm-hearted Mrs. Collins: "Tn
manage it some way. You say she's
afraid of ghosts, poor lambw
And all that night she lay awake
revolving different schemes for the
reconciliation of her two favorite
boarders.
The following evening the kind
hearted landlady tapped at the door
of the scantily-furnished fourth-story
room occupied by Lucy Hildeburn,
and from which now proceeded a
melancholy strain.
Studying your piano of nights,
again?" queried Mrs. Collins, re-
proachfully, when the girl opened the
door.
yes" replied Lucy, whose voice
had fearful infection. despite her
efforts to conceal it, and whose eyes
were suspiciously red. 81 am very
busy just now, and must put all the
time can to study"
"Well, but you mustn't forget what
the doctor told you about overworkin'
your brain" said Mrs. Collins.
However, she added, 81 won't de-
tain You longer'n 1 kin help. I'm
come to ask a favor. I'm goin' TO
the theatre this evenin'. So is Jane.
Sos everybody in the house, b'lieve;
and the girl has gone to bed with
toothache. So I'm goin' to ask you
to give an eye to the furnace. I've
just put on fresh coal and opened the
lower doors; but will you please go
down at about eight o'clock and close
the doorsY"
Certainly" assented Lucy, upon
which Mrs. Collins produced Ian
tern, saying;
Just take this down with you.
The cellars all dark you, you know.
Lucy took the lantern, closed the
room door, and returned to her piano,
while Mrs Collins walked away,
chuckling to herself;
That lantern'll 60 out Just five
minutes after she sets it down, and
she'll find herself all in the dark.
And she's afraid of ghosts, poor
lamb But what if somebody who
amt ghost should happen to be GO