The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1909-04-07
FORTUNATE CAST
[Original. ]

boys sat on the DankS OF uTy bTusn
that had long given up trying to imi-
tate nature, and scattered paper bags
and advertising material on the un-
complaining trout. The markers
rested undisturbed on the dirty wat
~, untouched by the hook In the
hands of the embyro sportsman who
stood on the end of the pier. wildly
attempting to cast.
Well down toward the end OF the
lond a young woman In n brown
suit edged her way through the
crowd. After much pushing, she
gained a position In the front row.
and stood watching the pier. The
frantic young mar reeled up his line
and departed. An official with a
megaphone took his place,
"Mr. Alylen Mclean will cast
first. Handicap, 10 feet, Mr.. Nc
Lean is now casting. Mr.. Mclean"
he hooted to either side.
The girl in brown watched the
pier carelessly, When Mr.. Mclean
appeared she gave a sudden start
and her dark cheeks flushed. Then
she leaned more firmly on the bank.
her chin In her hands.
Mr.. Mclean advanced, u~nreeled
his line, made a few preliminary mo-
tons and nodded unconcernedly to
the time-keeper. Behind him, eager
ly watching his proves, crouched
his sworn friend and ally, DR.. Max
well. muttering encouragement and
cheer.
Again and again Mr.. Mclean cast.
The crowd. attentive, critical. APP
plauded. The girl watched, her eyes
never leaving him. At last he seemed
to become conscious. His eyes
wandered from the markers and his
arm lost some of its steadiness. The
girl smiled slowly,
And then he saw her. Her brown
eyes looked steadily into his meet
Ing his look with a frank recogni-
ton, while the red lips curved in a
merry smile.
1t was her face, the face he had
been longing to see since that day last
summer when he had seer 1t for the
first and only time. Then 1t had
looked at him from a background Of
green bushes, and now 1t gazed out
among hundreds of other faces, but
It was still the same. He had been
following a winding brook among
the New Hampshire hills, making q
desultory cast now and then, when
suddenly, around a bend he had come
upon her. She was sitting on a rock,
her blue Bingham skirt held care
fully about her knees, her feet dab
bling in the cool water. He remem-
bered now her cry of dismay when
she had seem him, and how she fed
from the rock and up the bank.
But nee among the bushes she had
turned and laughed at him, even as
she laughed now.
Allan, for heavens sake, what Is
1t? Have you seen a ghost? Ninety
seconds gone, man, and there you
stand. What ails you?"
DR.. MaXwell's voice recalled him
to his surroundings. He squared his
shoulders, stepped forward and rails
ed his arm. But he could see only
tie girls face, and his hand shook.
The hook flew GUITAR to one side.
A girls shrek rang through the
stiffness. The girl in brown pressed
her hand to her cheek and took 1t
away, dripping with blood. Then
she quietly slid down on the bank.
Mr.. Allan Mclean dropped his rod
and leaped from the pier. DIR, Max
well was a close second. Cries and
commands filled the air. DR.. Max
well pushed Mclean to one side and
lifted the girl. He made a quick
examination.
Stand back" he shouted, don't
crowd-it's only a flesh wound. She's
tainted that's ALL" When she came
to herself there was a hospital dress
ing on her face and a strange young
man bending over her.
Don't be alarmed. You're all
right. It's a most distressing acct
dent, but was fortunate enough to
be on hand with my kit, and | don't
believe 1t will leave a very bad scar.
| can't tell you how badly my friend
feels. He will never cease to regret
his clumsiness. And now If you will
tell me where you live, my auto is
at the door, and I'd better take O
home"
You're very kind" she answered,
In a shaky voice. Her pretty chin
quivered. 1t was my W fault. I
shouldn't have tried to make him
look at me. I'm Margaret Perry,
and I'm stopping with my aunt"
She named the address. "Td like
to go home, please"
1t vas really surprising how many
calls DR.. Maxwell was obliged to
make to be absolutely certain that
that flesh wound was healing pro-
perly. And when 1t was healed hs
seemed professionally interested in
the scar.
When Miss Perry returned to New
Hampshire, DR.. Maxwell sent and re-
ceived daily bulletins.
A year later Mr.. Allan Mclean
of1ciated as best mar at a wedding
In New Hampshire. The bride had
a scar on her left cheek.
After the ceremony she turned to
the best man.