The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1908-11-11
COURTING OF RUFINA

tainly might be improved. but 1t IS
passable There are girls in this town
who have much worse ones, yet they
have secured good husbands.
"But with all my charms, am
still unmarried. | have just seen the
last of my girl friends happily tied
up at the altar, and although | am
the oldest of them all, twenty-five
last October, am still a spinster.
Why, | wonder?"
Then she fell into deep study,
her chin resting In her hand, while
she looked into the mirrored face for
answer. 1t was not that Rutlna was
destitute of admirers. There were
more than one, and there was one In
particular. But quiet Jim Laird,
though her fayorite, had never
passed from the accepted escort to
the accepted lover.
The very next morning Runna
stood in the parsons study, with the
audacious red hair modestly thrust
out of sight beneath huge sun
bonnet. The minister was looking at
her in quiet amazement,
"Charades, my dear you wish to
give for your class entertainment? |
am afraid It will be little too gay
for these quiet people. II does not
seem to blend with the spirit of the
enterprise"
But, Mr.. Benton, think what a
success such an entertainment could
be made! Its very novelty would
draw all the town, And we could
send the heather larger sum In
consequence
But, my dear" said the minister,
somewhat appeased by this presenta-
tion OF the subject, do you not think
the people will refuse to attend? 1t
will be almost like theater."
"Oh, no, not at all. II will be
nothing but tableauX. Not word
will be spoken. There will be nothing
Objectionable, give you my word,
Mr. Benton; and no one is to take
part outside of my little Sunday
school scholars and myself, You see
1t will be perfectly proper"
The minister said no more, but
gave his consent
A week later, and the little assem-
bly, room of the church was filled to
overilowing. As Rufina had predict
ed, every one in town was present,
attracted by the announcements of
what savored of the real thing in the
way of acting.
A little white curtain hung before
an impromptu stage, ana at the
stroke of the hour, Ruflna, clad in
simple white, stepped before the
audience and announced the pro-
gramme.
Rufina's class of girls carried out
almost all of the evenings entertain
ment in a manner charming and full
of interest to an audience not hyper
critical. The last tableau Ruiina had
reserved for herself.
She was clad in virginia. white q
veil fell over the shining tresses, and
and sprays of orange blossoms
adorned her dress and hair.
The man who stood beside her was
John Chase, the most casual, possi-
bly,, of Rufna's acquaintance, yet
the one most calculated, on account
of his gallant bearing. to arouse in
jim Blair's breast the requisite
amount of jealousy.
This gentleman, seated in the
audience, was looking darkly at the
beautiful tableau before him. Chase
was manly and self-possessed, and
showed to particular advantage in
his evening suit as he bent over the
girl and slipped a golden ring upon
her slender third finger.
AS the curtain slowly descended,
Rufina cast one swift glance at the
face of jim Blair. He was looking,
not at her, but at his rival, with a
countenance of fiercest anger.
The unsuspecting audience, mean
while, had grasped the meaning OF
the tableau before them without any
superhuman effort of the intellect.
and proclaimed the picture WED"
1t was but a few moments later
that Rufina. in ordinary street cos
tune, mingled in the departing
throng. AS she emerged she saw jim
Blair standing, hat in hand, near the
door, waiting to take her home, as
usual. The look of anger had not
faded from his face, and Rufina felt
light of heart in consequence. His
black looks forbade speech, and not
word was uttered for some mo-
ments. Rufna waited
How dared that man stand up
there with you tonight" he said
after they had reached home.
II don't think | quite understand
you, Jim"
"Oh, yes, you do. | ask you how
that man dared
Pardon me, but may | ask how
you dare"-she spoke the word with
very soft emphasis speak to me
in that way?"
"Have | not the right" he begin,
hotly. Am / not" then stopped
abruptly.
"You will give me the right now,
Rufina dear, will you not?" he went
on more gently. mo man but my
self must ever stand beside you in
that capacity. You belong to me, and
| claim you"
And Rufina smiled up at him, de-
lighted at the complete success of
her innocent little drama.