Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes Co., O. [Ohio]) 1870-1895, 1873-01-16


others eyes.
The ladies were well suited with tn,
goods and prices, and the peddler de-
parted, with permission to come agair
when he was near by.
The aunts noticed not that Silvia:
eyes fingered long after the peddler':
departing form.
From that day a new life dawned up.
on Silvia, a child no longer, but wo-
man in whose heart lived all woman.
love, confidence and devotion. Ou
from the little velvet case looked the pic
tured face of Paul Hartley-a face tC
teach woman love-noble, truthful
handsome. And when the little slip Of
paper on which was written "Trust
me" met her eye, she did, fully believ'
ing happy future was coming to her
Paul had thought so much of Silvia
that he almost loved before meeting her
A glance at her beauty and guilessness
completely won his hearts first love
''But how to win her? to deliver her ?''
he said.
With his mind and heart filed with
these thoughts he sought the advice Of
his uncle, clergyman residing in Rich
mond. Finding an early opportunity
for conference with his relative, he
was carried by him into his sactum
Scarcely had he begun his story, when.
his eyes, wandering about the room,
fell on small miniature painting
Springing from his seat, he gazed eager
ly on the beautiful face, and exclaimed J:
"Who is this, uncle?"
Astonished at is newphew's almost
wild eagerness, the old gentlemen re-
piled:
"a young friend of ours"
"But her name, uncle? Quick, Pray
tell me. Surely it is my Silvia?"
"No, boy, it is not. That is Mrs. For
rester." O..
"Heayen! how strange! Tell me, un-
Gle, of her. She is Silvia's mother
Where did you know her?" asked
Paul, with much agitation.
"Why, boy, married her. 1t was a
runaway match. And. poor child, she
suffered so much from it. Your aunt
and were much attached to them. He,
young Forester, was an artist, and I'm
sure, if he had lived, would have &C
quired fame aud fortune. He painted
that picture of his wife and gave it to
us"
"He did, you say? When, uncle?"
''In less than year after his marri
age. When the cholera ragged here, he
was one of the first victims. She left
us to return to her friends, and although
with continued promises to write to us,
we have never heard one word from or
of her. Your aunt wrote, but never
received replied. Now tell me what
you know of herr"
Paul told his story, or rather Betsey's
and Of the suspicious set afloat by evil
hearts; and when he had finished his
uncle said:
"Poor child! Thank God / can do JUS
tice to their memory. How wonderful
strange are the ways of Providence
Paul, my boy, think we can smooth
your path considerably. And let me
give you more information, which to
you and me is of little consequence, but
to your Silvia's relatives will be very
agreeable. The Forrestcrs-Lilly' hus-
bands family-are rs proud an ancient
as the Chapmans. just before Harry's
meeting Miss Chapman, he had incur
red the severe displeasure of his father
by refusing decidedly to marry young
lady picked out for him. 1t was very
desirable connection in every respect,
and old Mr.. Forester had not forgiven
Harry for his refusing to consummate
his great hope when the poor boy died.
If he ever knew of his marriage, he
never acknowledged either tor Harry s
wife, that 1 know of. l think, if you
90 to the aunts bearing the certificate
of Mr.. Forrester's marriage, you will
meet with a favorable reception"
Harry shook his head, and told how
difficult it was for any man to gain An
interview. "Only old Father Goodman
has the entree."
Goodman! Bless me Father? What,
a priest, you mean"
"Yes, sir; the Rev. Father Good
man."
"More and more wonderful! This
must be my old school-mate, Will Good
man. knew he was somewhere in the
valley. We were the best friends at
school, and I've no doubt he would be
really pleased to see or hear from me
now. Although We have chosen diff
ferent paths to find our way to Heaven,
that is no reason why we should moi
love each other here as we shall there.
1t will be all right, Paul. I'd like a
trip through that section. We will
start tomorrow morning, find Father
Goodman, and think he will take us
to Chapman Hail."
1t was as Paul's uncle had said. Fa-
ther Goodman was very much delighted
to see his old friend and schoolmate
and when the good clergyman, Mr.
Hartley, told his business and produced
a copy of the marriage certificate oi
Lilly Chapman and Harry Forester
the kind-hearted Father would not de-
lay an hour, but declared he must &C
directly and carry that balm to the
wounded hearts of the Chapman's.
1t would have done John Freeman
good to have seen the amazed look Of
Hit Mankin when Father Goodman en-
tered the lodge, accompanied by tive
very handsome men, and babe her tC
proceed and announce their presence tC
, her mistresses.
: What Father did and said was right
not one of the inmates of Chapman Hal
ever doubted. Still a grave look settled
on the faces of the six sisters when Hi
did Father Goodman's bidding. Tire,
of them entered the reception room
A little while, and the grave look:
gave place to those of thankfulness,aye
even joy. a moment more, and Hi
Mankin, if present, would have wit
|, messed sight which would likely hav,
blinded or killed her, namely, her mis-
. tresses' hands clasped in those of men