The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1874-03-04


night. His eyes had n heavy look
about them, and his mouth wore list
less, tried expression, as different as
possible from the bright, merry smile
of four months ago.
II thought Rachel Goulrick's con-
scientiousness was morbid; it seemed
cruel and wicked to sacrifice q young
life-indeed, the happiness Of two lives
Ito mere scuple; and said so very
strongly.
He fred up at once, and, to my sur
prise, defended her. H
"She is right and | am not such
brute yet as even to wish to change her,
or lower her to my level for nty plea
sure. know what she says is true.
and my whole soul revolts from it. l
can't give up, and l am not worthy of
her p'
"You look tired" l said, pityingly,
as the flush faded, and he leaned back
exhausted
"Yes," he answered, "I am glad Of
it. If 1 could only chill my own
thoughts always by fatigue I might be
happier. Colonel, if you will let me,
l will sleep here tonight" .r
Iagreed readily, for l did not feel
easy about the boy; such state Of
misery was the very worst for soul or
body.
Ne were awakened at halfpast
three by a dull, roaring sound in our
ears, and as sprang up hastily, / saw
the whole horizon crimson with q belt
of flames.
at is on the Stregaras road" !" l ex.
claimed, as 1 looked out.
Curtis did not answer, but saw by
the flash in his eyes and the sudden
compression of his lips that he remem-
bered Leigh Page.
/ did not ask what he was going to
do. l did not doubt him more than
my own life.
We dressed hurriedly, sprang on
our horses, and were OF. the road In
less time than it takes TO write these
few lines.
The blaze and clouds of smoke were
awful to the right of us. We could
hear the forest trees crack and fall
one by one with a crash, as we rode.
Presently we neareG the burning re-
gion, and our horses began to be restive
and to shy from the smoking brands.
We got down, and tied them near a
pool of water, which had already been
burned for some distance around.
Then we fastened on, still without a
word, to the old house. 1t was still
standing, though the smoke was blown
in such volumes between us, that we
could just see it occasionally, as gust
of wind cleared away the thick cloud
for few minutes and it rolled back
again. .n.H.tll
81 am not too late!' cried Curtis
and his eyes flashed with exultation.
There were some men standing on
the lawn, and they tried to stop him
"You cannot save him the room is
too far back. 1t is at the peril of your
life" they shouted but he had already
gone. ......
I followed, but he was so far ahead
that when l reached the upper stair
case, l met him with the insensible
form of Leigh Page in his arsm.
A brand from the falling door had
struck him as he came out, and left q
burned and bleeding wound on hi;
forehead, but he looked as if new
life we're bounding in every vein and
fiber.
His example animated the lockers
on to new efforts, and at last the fire
was suppressed.
Leigh Page recovered, and after
wards went to new station in the fal
West, where he did his country noble
and true service. | never saw him af
ter he left st. Augustine.
Curtis ROLES and Rachel Goulrick
we're married. Curtis always had {
zigzag scar on his brow, which, by {
curious coincidence, was in the same
' place that he had struck his enemy il
the face but we, who knew low i
= came there, never thought that 1t dis
figured his open, manly countenance
Rachels eyes were never so full o
tender, passionate love and enthusi
asm, nor her voice so full of emotion
as when she looked at it, for she be
lieved, with her whole heart, that tn,
noblest work of man was to atone anC
; make reparation for wrong. Thi
/, sear-his mark. as the old signature
have twas in her sight the sign an,
; symbol of the noblest and highes
honor To- Day.
The common phrase, 81 thought
should kill myself laughing" becam
Q a sad reality with man in Massachu