The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1875-06-09

have a glorious revenge, old fellow.
You know, | suppose, who lives in the
little cottage on the north side of this
place-that little crib just at the edge
of Dickely Wood"
"Oid Meg Roakes and her idiot son,
l believe" said Landon, chalking his
cue very earelessly.
cay, the old gypsy and her idiot
son live there, sure enough" contin-
ued Melford, flushed, and with an evil
caution in his face, as he glanced
around and spoke low. "The fellow
is kept shut up there night and day,
and there's q secret about it all, Ian
dou--do you know that, too?"
II have heard that your father
struck the boy in a fit of passion,
knocking him senseless, and that when
he came to, he was imbeciie, and has
SO repained ever since. But this is
no business of mine, Melford, and
don't care to discuss it."
"Joe Roakes the fellows name is,"
continued the other, drinking more of
the stimolant. "What' would you
think-if were to tell you that fellow
that idiot Joe Roakes-was my
halfbrother?" ?"
at is not true?" said Landon,
startled.
81 swear to heaven it is I found It
all out long ago, through the servants
first, the neighbors next, and, at length,
from old Meg herself. A hint vas
enough for me, and I never rested till
l had learned every circumstance"
Landon was shocked, He remem-
bered having seen the idiots face once
at the window, darker of color than
Arthur Melford's, but strikingly like
his in every feature. Some whispers
Of the scandal just rehearsed had also
more than once reached him, only,
however, to be put by as malicious
romance. But now he could doubt
no longer.
"Joe Roakes used to come here and
get money; but he was on his way to
the bad, and the supplies were stop
ped. Then followed taunts, and one
day an open insult. The parter has
temper, you know, and down went
Joseph never to rise with the gift of
reason again. Melancholy narrative,
isn't it?"
"1t really is melancholy, Arthur,
and your levity is unbecoming."
"The fellow was secured and i'm
prisoned, from that time, in the cot
tage where he now is; but he has twice
made his escape, and both times he
came here. His errand was not one
Of peace, for he sought out the author
of his being, and also of his ruin,
with the keen scent of bloodhound,
and-and-in fact, the wheeling chair
explains good deal of the rest"
II understand, Melford," reioined
Landon. "Pray, let MS talk no more
of such miserable business. Have
you scoredf"
!"Oh, hang the billiards I'm not in
the>mood. AS l said before, I could
have very clever revenge, if =
"If you dared" added Captain
I,andon, sternly.
"Then you think am afraid You
are wrong--Pm not afraid of any
thing, by Jove l could free that boy,
anSkhe would come here; and fancy
theSsensation his appearance would
create"
"You are jesting, / suppose"
"-Am l, indeed? Z? Truth is, / am half
mad. Here's an old man, Landon-
hiameans of enjoyment, if possible,
lese rolling in money! He actually
sAs lot Of it in his room to look at
al count up and gloat over. Now,
here am la young man, wants nu-
merous, capacity for enjoyment illim-
itable-and yet l haven't a penny.
Upon my honor, my head turns when
/ think of iT. l really must 90 and
have a turn with the clubs to get my
self into some degree of calmness
again."
He strobe away in mighty wrath.
His companion pushed the balls about
muaingly for some time after. He was
evidently thinking of Arthur Melford's
threat.
At dinner Arthur did not make his
appearance. Captain Landon found a
note in his room.
"DEAR LANDoN-I have gone up to
town, to see what can be done about
that debt. Return tomorrow. A. NJ"
1t was TO the captain rather pleas
ant evening; to people of more ex-
acting taste, it might have appeared
dull enough. But he had the oppor-
tunity for once Of being alone with
Miss Croydon. A loVelier night one
could not wish and they sat late on
the piazza, talking-perhaps flirting.
1t was nearly midnight when they
took candles from the hall-table and
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