The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1908-12-09
WHITE BY WRIGHT

|
it was her poodle-well! ! let 1t stay
there.
Her little sister had gone upstairs
to announce me, and, returning, had
said that Margaret would be down
stairs in JUS two little minutes. |
had been sitting there fifteen when
the poodle arrived.
II It had been anyone but Mar
garet, Well. I'd have waited just
about two minutes and half, and
then I'd have "cut 1t out" But
somehow there's always one girl that
you'd wait week for, and then be-
lieve her when she said she was sor-
ry she kept you waiting.
THE dear girl is probably fixing
up her hair, and putting on another
collar" thought |, complacently. "As
II | care what she wears so long as
she loves mel" And then, OF course,
fell to wondering again. What
would she say when | told her?
Would go away to-day. walking on
air, or would my hopes be blighted
| forever?
Half an hour passed. The poodle
had gone to sleep, and out OF consid-
Grafton for his mistress, didn't like
| to disturb him. So l occupied myself
by counting, first the chairs, then the
pictures, and finally the squares In
the carpet. 1t was kind Of lonesome
| couldn't help wishing that some
one-even If It were only little Flor
rie-would come in and talk to me. ]
could at least ask her questions
about Margaret, and II she had said
exactly two minutes. And presently
Florrie did come in, and sat herself
demurely in a STRAIGHTFORWARD chair,
on the other side OF the room. 1t Is
always hard to ask even a child
questions II they sit on the other
side OF the room.
l was very diplomatic. From the
subject OF candy and dolls and what
was going to bring Florrie to-mor'
row l led the conversation on I'm.
perceptibly, to what Margaret had
ever said to Florrie. about me, what
position my picture occupied In her
room, what she (Margaret) did with
my letters after she read them, and
finally, in as careless tone as ]
could command, whether she had
said Just two minutes. Florrie didn't
ever remember hearing Margaret
say very much about me; she
thought my picture WAS on her desk
beside another fellows chang that
other fellow); Margaret generally
burned her letters, so most likely
mine were burned, too. Lastly, she
(Florrie) wasn't just sure that Mar
garet had said exactly two minutes
but she guessed It was about thai
long.
/ looked at my watch. II was just
fifty minutes since l sat down In that
chair. The poodle had been sleeping
thirty-fiye minutes. II Margaret had
kept any other fellow waiting-that
cad OF a White. for instance j
wouldn't have been so much sur
prised But she had always showI
more consideration than that for me
Perhaps when l told her how much
loved her she would only laugh al
me.
Pinkie's weight was getting un'
bearable. l felt as though | were
holding a young stove. One foot wa'
sleeping, and the other wasn't fai
F,op, a. uElorrIa caid 'snarhon,
II you went upstairs you could hell
Margaret to get ready to come
down"
That dear child is so obliging
She good-naturedly hurried upstairs
and-left the parlor door open. III
repeat the conversation l heard from
above me.
Margaret, aren't you ever com
Ing downstairs?"
"Florrie Oswald, hasn't that fell
low gone away yet? Didn't you tell
him was out?"
mo, Margaret" Such a small
meek little voice! 81 thought he wal
real nice, and maybe you'd be sorry
afterwards, so l just said you'd be
down in two minutes"
There was an ominous silence,
then l heard Margaret give a queer
little laugh.
We'll, child, you ought to be pun.
ished, but perhaps 1t is better so.
might as we'll face 1t now as any
other time. I'll go down and tell him
that l can never care for him, and
that 1t would be better for both Of US
If he would stop coming"
| didn't wait to hear any more.
stood up and dropped the poodle SO
suddenly that the poor little thing
whimpered. At the foot of the stairs
| stopped and called, You needn't
bother coming down, Miss Oswald
happened to overhear your recent
conversation, and you needn't fear
any more annoyance from mel" and
so saying l made preparations to
leave.
Then a strange thing happened.
The door opened and closed with a
bang, there was a quick rush OF
skirts, and then behind me voice
"Oh, Dick! Dick! Wait for me-"
There was another hustle and rus
tie and the dignified Miss Oswald,
whom | had never seen even hurry,
stood in front Of me.
had to stop, perforce, but l still
held up my head.
Dick, did you think l would do
that to you? Why Dick, Florrie told
me 1t was Mr.. White Come in and
let me explain. She sat down by the
l. L. L IL 1 L.