The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1899-01-11

IFS Nth his friend, Major Laurie,
Just returned from Porto Rico. The
tFo men had not met for nearly ten
ypaiA and each seemed equally glad
to renew his college friendship. As
sbor as they were alone the General
poured out his indignation and woe to
his ION, who was naturally much in
censed at the behavior of Mona's
fame.
| Pity that your friend is an officer
andlust home from the war; it will
keel the wound open," added his
fathr.
"confound it, so it will; I am deuc-
edlytorry for Mona. No wonder she
is culup, but as Laurie is sure to know
Lawrence, we must be careful not to
shoy him that Lawrence has hurt us.
Momis plucky enough and must force
herslf to be jolly for couple of days
till laurie takes his departure"
"1llyl Poor girl, how can she be?"
sight the General.
al hould like to wiring that rascal's
neckp exclaimed Gilbert, impetuous-
ly, md he of all men, whom we all
likedIo much"
"Tat is just where it hurts So"
answced his father.
"B George" exclaimed Major
Lauri, (aftetHcusing herself early
70 tn evening, Mona had left the
three nen in the billiard room smok-
i6g.) but Miss Mona is stunning. If
/ werenot sewed to the dearest girl
M theworld, I should lose my heart
to you sister"
''I I'd not know we had to congrat-
ulate pu, old fellow"
Gwen does the happy event come
Off"
"Vey soon you'll be invited"
"W'o is she?" asked Gilbert, inter-
ested.
"a Miss Sterling, whose nature
yerifie her name; have known her
since sic was girl"
RGher anxious time for her when
yoga pre- wounded" suggested the
VII IL
- but Twas not in mucf1danger,
you know; now some fellows got so
cut up you would hardly recognize
them. There was poor Lawrence
Doth his listeners started) lone leg
clean gone, the other up to the knee,
one arm off, and scar across his face
and the plucky chap lust smiled
through it ALL"
Father and son exchanged glances.
"He pulled through, thanks to the
devoted nursing he got" continued
Laurie, unconscious of the interest
his words aroused. 81 never saw
that man down until yesterday, when
he collapsed as though shot"
"How was that?" asked Gilbert, in
constrained voice.
well, you see, it twas this way; he's
very reticent, still, we all knew he was
devoted to some girl at home, though
he never mentioned her name OF spoke
about her; couldn't get him into the
slightest Irritation with any one. When
we came back together he spoke for
the first time to me about his affair. |
You see, Laurie, 1 am such wreck;
should marry a girl when she might |
have to nurse me? and then, at best,
I'm not whole man; will have but
one sound arm and only part of one
leg to offer her. by George, felt
for the poor devil when he talked like
that. Well, 1 suggested to try her
and see what she thought about it.
Write and offer to release her. He
caught at the idea. But wouldn't
write as though pleading with her; I
would. not want to be married out of
pity, but would just state the facts
aud leave her free to decide, said he.
And what do you think she'll write|
| asked him. 4 think she is too
faithful to give me up, he answered,
and, 'pon my word-scar or no scar
he looked so proud and handsome as
he spoke, only wished his sweetheart
could have seen him."
"And then?" asked Gilbert, as Lau-
rie paused in his narrative.
"Oh, then he wrote, alluding to his
being wreck, and referring to the ac-
count in the papers, and yesterday her
answer came; 1 was in his looms when
he got her note-ust short one, but
he turned white, and said bitterly,
She writes that my views upon the
subject of our Engagement ending
meet her own; sh releases me, evil
IDENTIFY without re,ret, thankful to be
free from what milh have been bur-
den to her. 1 tri,d to cheer him up;
he gave me one lo'k, such as you see
in hunted beast a you shoot it down,
and, by Jove, he keled right ever. 1
was in afearful flnk, and called his
man. He came rclnd presently and
begged me not to nntion the subject
again.
Laurie, for Gd's sake explain
matters little moh." cried Gilbert,
who had risen frorhis chair in great
excitement.
eyes, sir, cried ie General, equally
reused, "you don 'hknow how much
depends upon wha you have been
telling. Colonel LFrence is engaged
to my daughter Moa."
1.-THE mischief" and the eyeglass
dropped from its ha.tual place.