The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1908-06-17
HIS DIPLOMACY


matchmaking instincts were up in
arms. OF course, as Constance had
said, Kathleen was mere child In
years, only II. But girls OF II
sometimes developed very grown-up
feeings
She did not answer her sisters
letter at once; to her thinking, hasty
Judgment was one of the cardinal
sins. And she waited to think mat
ters over thoroughly before COM
mitting herself,
Pine Grove, Fla, May II.
"My Dear Constance:
"Why not let me have Kathleen
for a couple of months? The coun-
try is simply magnificent this time
of the year, and. although, natur-
ally, 1t will be rather lonely compared
to gay New Orleans, still the con-
trast may do wonders toward bring
Ing the dear girl out of herself. l
don't believe anyone could brood In
a garden spot like this.
"By the way, an old friend OF
mine is coming down from Chicago
to spend the summer with me. Her
son, splendid young fellow of 20.
is to meet her here for weeks
visit. They are extremely exclusive
people, and, although not at all
wealthy. will doubtless shortly in.
herit a considerable fortune from
the boys godfather, | think 1t is.
He is cranky old fellow (S0-odd).
who refuses to settle penny on his
protege until he marries and settles
down.
Mind you, not word of this to
Kathleen.
Let me hear from you. AS ever.
Pat"
Three days later Mrs. Hardiman
held her sisters reply in her hand.
Kathleen would be delighted TO
come 1t was the very thing of all
others. Six or eight weeks among
the Florida pines would certainly
be the salvation of her.
1t was an afternoon of June, pale
and sweet with orange blossoms.
Rows upon rows of the waxen-leaved
trees made a garden grove down be-
low the rose lawn.
Mrs. Hardiman came out on the
terrace and flourished slip of yellow
paper in her hand
Old Mrs. Ogden, seated on q
twisted oak chair, looked up with
a questioning smile.
MY niece will be here on the
$40 train" the other announced.
sinking down opposite, "and that
horrid old Billy is laid up again
with his everlasting 'rheumatix.
Do you think Claud will be here in
time to"
Mrs. Hardiman stole narrow
glance into the brown, strong face,
with its keen, expressive eyes and
firm but smiling mouth. Surely
Claude Odgen was a man worth no.
ticing.
My niece is arriving on that 6:20
train, Mr.. Ogden. Do you think you
could manage the bays this after
noon?"
"Oh, yes," he said. Il think |
can manage them fairly we'll"
He pulled out his watch.
I've just an hour to make it" he
said; 81 suppose I'd better be get
ting out of this toggery."
The train was as usual, late. The
passengers stepped out on the plat
form. There were two or thres
drummers, an old lady In black and
finally
Surely there was something oddly
familiar about the cut of the brown
tailor-made gown, the gracefully
draped veil that cascaded about her,
dainty shoulders, the military carri-
age of the slender young figure.
"Claudei"
Kathleen"
He hurried her on to the trap.
and in a minute they were whirling
off through clouds of dust.
But | thought you were on board
the Silver Star, en- route to Austria
lia," she exclaimed when she found
breath to speak.
That was all bosh, Kathleen. l
never had any intention of putting
the ocean between us. After the way
we were broken up | thought I'd
Just hang around until you were OF
age"
Poor mammal She firmly be-
lieves that she knows my own mind
better than do myself.
And suppose | were to tell you
that | was about to become very
wealthy?
'It would make no difference
whatever in my"
Somewhat to the girls surprise he
deliberately turned the horses heads
and drove back the other way.
Claude! You're going wrong.
mo, | am not Providence had a
great big hand In dumping us down
he"e together like this. And we
haven't any right to fly in the face
of Providence, you know. / was
told that long ago, when I was a
mere kid"
What is this funny little placa
ITS the county courthouse. Hold
the reins a second. I've got to get
out"
Soon he returned, slipped bit
of folded paper into his pocket as he
climbed into the trap.