The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1899-03-08

morning. Ine sun nau risen lntO q
blue and cloudless sky. The feathery
tree tops stirred in the gentle breeze,
and fower-scents and bird-voices
filed the air. 1t was just the morn
ing to fill ones heart with pleasant
premonition of coming good.
"I feel as if something nice was 60
ing to happenI' said Miss Ferry to
herself, as she looked out into the
beautiful, fresh world. 'But therel
What am I thinking Of? It'll be
buttonholes, or maybe Jane'll want
me to tend Willie through one of his
collie spellsl'
Breakfast over, Miss Ferry sat
down in her little sewing chair and
took up her work; but for some rea-
son the needle would not go, and her
thoughts would wander far from the
little garment she was fashioning.
She was gazing at the swaying elm
tops, and her work had fallen from
her hands, when a rousing rap at the
door started her into the conscious.
ness of the present
"Good land! What's Gomez" she
exclaimed, springing up, to find that
it was only Colonel Heath's coachman
with a bundle.
"The work Mrs. Heath promised
me" thought Miss Ferry, as she laid
the big parcel on the old lounge. 81
don't believe I'll open it now; somo.
how I don't want to see more work to,
day."
In q moment, however, she changed
her mind. "Mrs. Heath's real good
to me; maybe it's something she wants
done right up" and she proceeded to
undo the numerous wrappings.
'Seems to me it's done up mighty
careful for just being sent down here.
What under the sun is it, anyway?"
she raid aloud, as she took off the
cover of the long pasteboard box and
unfolded pretty dark blue dress, all
made and finished.
Something Miss Florence wants
altered. 1 guess. It's too small for
Mrs. Heath. Here's the directions" +"
she continued, as an envelope fell from
the folds of the skirt.
As she read. her thin face flushed
and she laid the note down with a
gasp. ooh, I can't! And after all
I've said to her!" she whispered. Then
she read it again.
Dear Miss Ferry-I was In the city yes.
to-day and saw this dress, which made me
think Of you. 1 thought that az you were
so busy taking stitches for other people,
perhaps 1t might he q little help to have
something all made up, and think 1t will
fit you. VIII You accept 1t with my lovei
Please don't mind my sending 1t, dear Miss
Ferry, for you share so much with others
you must lot others share with you some
times.
Mamma wishes me to ask you IL you will
come and spend this beautiful day wi b us.
We are going to drive In the afternoon to
Pine Point, and 1t will give US SO much
pleasure to have you with US. Please come
and wear the new dress. James will call
for you at eleven. Yours very truly,
FLORENCE W. HEATH.
i'The good Lord bless her!" said
Miss Ferry, with little sob. "It
seems as if ] couldn't take so much
from any one, but it would be down
right ungrateful not to-" And then
the Joy of possession entered into her
soul.
She examined the dress with the ap-
probation Of o skilled seamstress.
"Just see those silk facings; and it's
finished elegantly. l never expected
to live to see this day. And after all
my complaining, tool 1 ain't deserv-
ingl But, oh, even Miss Florence
can't know what it means to me to
have new dress!'
Promtly at eleven James, impress
sive in dark blue livery aud shining
buttons, helped the fluttering little
woman, in her trim new suit, into the
soft-cushioned carriage.
I am not going to describe the well
come Miss Ferry received at the
Heaths' nor the long day of delight
she passed in that beautiful home.
1t is needless to say that the dainty
lunch bore no suggestions of being
warmed over, and that beans and hash
played no part in the elaborate dinner,
like unto none that Miss Ferry had
ever before tasted. 1t was such
satisfaction to rise from the table with
feeling Of luxurious leisure Not
even her kind hostess could appreciate
what it meant to the little woman to
leave the dining-room with no thought
of unwashed dishes on her mind.
After lunch came the drive. The
roomy victoria rolled over the roads
with delightful ease, and the sleek
horses, that tossed their heads and
shook their glossy names, bore their
load along at pace that was pleasure
to their well-exercised limbs. They
drove through pleasant wood roads,
and the fragrant breath of the pines
was like balm to Miss Ferry's tired
lungs. They drove by the beach
bordered bay, and the sea sparkled and
danced before them.
1t seemed to Miss Ferry that the
out-of-door world was never so bright
and fresh and clear as it was that af-
ternoon. She lay back in rapt enjoy
ment, abandoning herself to the pres
ent, knowing that seams would be less
and buttonnoles not so
much nightmare when lightened by
the memories Of that drive.
When the long day was over and
Miss Ferry bade the Heaths good by,
she tried to make plain little Of her
gratitude.