The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1908-12-23
The House By The Lake
BY Wallace Leonard.

Natalie Livingstone sat gazing out
OF her window across the closely
cropped lawn and out over the lake
dotted with many pleasure craft. She
could hear laughter coming from the
water, and 1t only made 1t all the
harder for her to 20 away.
But there was the singing but po-
lite little note informing her that
her services were no longerkrequired,
and enclosing the customary weeks
wages and her ticket back to the
city. She knew she was not dis
missed because of incompetency, but
because of the scarcity of eligible
young men and the superabundance
of marriageable young ladies with
overambitious mothers. ~
She had known there were OBJ
jections because of the attentions
paid her by some u the male guests,
and which she had tried hard to
avoid. Her self-possession and re-
fined manners had all been discussed
BY the mothers with the marriage
able but less attraaiye daughters,
and for once they had united and
sent a comittee to the management
and demanded Nataile's removal.
The very idea of her being al
lowed to use the boats on the lake
and walk around on the lawn and
vefanda like one of the guestsl" in
dignantly remarked Miss Allen con-
spicuous for her brick colored red
hair, turned up nose and an impedi-
ment in her speech, but whose mo-
ther occupied one cf the most ex-
pensive suites in theshotel and enter
tanned largely.
Such impertinence!" chimed in
Miss Clark, school teacher of un-
certain age. Why, she actually curls
her hair, yet flaunts her innocence
and good manners in the eyes of
men, thinking to dazzle them"
And so IL had been until the note
had been the result. Poor Natalie.
All she wanted was to be left alone
to earn her living and she had been
delighted at the prospect of spending
the hot summer months at the Lake.
side. but now she would have to go
back to the sweltering city and haunt
the employment agencies, and even
If she was successful, as she could
scarcely hope to be at this dull sea-
son, she would be obliged to live in
a stuffy furnished room in poor
quarter, made even more miserable
by its crowded condition.
She packed her simple belongings.
and tears came to the great blue eyes
as she closed the door and slowly
made her way to the managers Office
to bid him good-by.
She did not find him in, and as
her train did not leave until night
she walked towards the lake out into
the woods all white with dogwood
and purple with violets. and thought
of her past.
Her mother had died leaving her
alone, and when the estate had been
settled there wss but li.tle left for
Natalie. She hal faced the s;tua-
ton bravely and had secured this po-
sition. She thought az she walk
ed along Of the cool months she
had spent with her mother in the
mountains, and these woods seemed
only a tantalizing reminder of that
other and happier life.
At last, unable to restrain herself
longer, she sank down on the soft
green grass and burst into soul
refreshing tears. She was still cry.
ing when she heard a rustic of the
bushes near her and looked up. She
saw the bushes part and Malcom
Goodrich stepped into the open.
He started, almost falling back
among the bushes.
why, Nat" he exclaimed, lin
heavens name, what are you doing
here? Is it really you, and where
have you been all this time?"
II have searched everywhere for
you, and to find you this way, Tell
me, Nat, what did you run away for?"
why, l have been right here part
of the time" she answered, trying
hard to hide the traces of her tears
and smiling bravely. You know
there was nothing left, so | left col
lege, and after course in short
hand accepted the position of stem
ographer at the hotel up there for
the Summer"
Then she told him of the note and
Its cause. He listened attentively
and said: Poor little grille! Why.
| own that hotel and these woods and
that castle-like house on the hill.
bought 1t as Summer home. Do
you like It? The hotel is leased for
this season. / was just looking over
the place a bit when l heard you
sobbing, and now. Nat, there is no
end of happiness in store for you"
But leave this evening for the
city. l must find another position
Nov, look here, Nat. You know
l love you and intended to tell you
so, and ask you to marry me as soon
as ! got out of college. Then your
mother died, and knew Itmust wait,
and then YOU disappeared as COM
pletely as though the card shad open
ed and swallowed you.
She did not answer, but sat silent
ly thinking Of the. note and the hot
city, and turHng suddenly, she ask
ed, "Is It. because you are sorry
for me tha0sau are asking me this.
Malcom"
"Why, bleaHyou, Nat; it's because
I love you and have loved you ever
since we were kiddies. and your hat