The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1899-01-25

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'Ea&s+sl>fstskzzy young creatures on
the grass, Mrs. Spreadbrow let her
eyes wander dreamily across the bay
to the irregular sky line of the big
city, where she knew that Mr.. Spread
brow was busily engaged in convert
ing bales OF cotton into crisp bank
notes.
All, thought she, happily, she had
much to be thankful for, the best hus-
band in the world, promising fam
lily, q charming home ON Staten ISL
and and-but at this juncture her rev.
erie was broken in upon by sound
OF footsteps ON the gravel walk lead
ing from the front gate to the house,
and looking up, she beheld the COM
Portable figure of her dear friend, Mrs.
Townley.
There followed q scene, such as any
lady who has been surprised by the
sudden and unexpected arrival of q
valued friend can readily imagine. In
the course. of it Mrs. Townley was
conveyed to the parlor of the trim cot
tage, to,sit and ''cool Off before 60
ing upstairs.
Take off your bonnet, DEAR" said
her CHEEKY hostess. 81 will put
your satchel and parcel and things
on this chair. o, 1 have so much to
tell you about and scold you for; why
haven't you come down before?"
In the midst OF Mrs. Townley's ex-
plantations as to why she had absented
herself, there burst through the open
French window, like the advent of q
whirlwind, the puppy, Sport, in full
cry, followed by Eddy.
Round and round the room they cir.
cled for some moments, and then,
obedient to the oft-repeated commands
of his mother, the little youth turned
and embraced their visixf with much
heartiness. The peace Shat followed
these demonstrations was rudely put
TO fight by the click OF the front gate,
and the cry from Eddy, who was sta
toned at the window, announcing "a
lady coming"
Somebody to call. How provok-
ing" said Mrs. Spreadbrow, with o
pucker of her placid brow. "Come,
Maria. let's go upstairs before Della
goes to the door. There goes the belll
Never mind your things"
In an instant the room was cleared
of all save the black and white puppy,
who shambfed about for moment,
then trotted laboriously out into the
garden by the same route he had come
in.
''It's young lady, Mrs. Spread
brow, and she says she wants to see
you on business" announced Della,
moment later, thrusting her head
through the door of the room to which
Mrs. Spreadbrow and her frioed had
retNated.
Dear mel what can she want?"
The lsdy's voice expressed as much
irritation as that kindly organ could
embody.
AS she entered the parlor, a tall,
slim girl, who had been standing
nervously in the middle of the room,
advanced to meet her, and the 10y
tone and manner that Mrs. Spread
bfow had determined to assume to-
ward the disturber of her seclusion
melted quite away as the pretty young
creature lifted pair of sad dark eyes
to her face and said in an emil ar
rassed voice:
''Please pardon me for intruding. 1
have come to-to-"
''Pray sit down." interrupted Mrs.
Spreadbrow, cheerily.
''Thank you," said the girl, and
dropping into q chair. 81 will not
detain you long. have here a chill
dren's history" and from the
depths of a roomy satchel she pro-
duced a small book-"that Catcham
& Teasam are publishing"
Ahl Now MIS-. Spreadbrow knew
the worst. "But 1 don't want it,"
she said, gently.
''It won't do any-any harm-to-
to look at it." The girl spoke as if
trying to repeat lesson, and with
wistful look in her face.
"Yes, it will; becagSe if 1 let you
show it to mo 1 maS buy it, and I
really don't want it,"
Nobody does; but you nave put
your rejection of it very kindly" said
the girl, rising to go.
Her voice trembled, and the smile
she managed to screw her pretty lips
into was far from cheerful. Mrs.
Spreadbrow was touched. There was
something 80 pathetic about the voice
and manner, and she was so very
young and SO very pretty. The
z therly loSly laid her hand on the
saying softly;