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

cry from the direction OF old MIR. Mel
ford's room, then struggle, and then
a heavy fall.
Something has happened-let us
see what it isl' exclaimed the l6dy,
turning pale.
Landon also became pallid as death.
He could not stir.
"Don't stand staring, Captain Ian
donl" she cried, wildly. "Perhaps
Mr.. Melford has fallen in fit. will
go, if you will not"
She advanced; but Landon recov-
cred himself, and passed in front of
her.
The door of the room opened, and
stalwart man in red shirt came
forth, livid and trembling. His face
could barely be made out in the dim
light.
"Joe Roakes p gasped Landon.
He sprang upon the man, but at the
same instant released him and fell
back.
Miss Croydon had glanced into the
room. Old Mr.. Melford lay prostrate
and unconscious upon the floor near
the door. "Seize that villain, sir p
she cried, pointing to the intruder.
"He is murderer
Landon did not stir.
"Coward-miserable coward p she
said
''It would be useless struggle" re.
piled Landon, in a low voice, and
much abashed. Gle is more power
full than l my strength would go for
nothing against his"
He stood out of the way, and the
miscreant sped by him quickly, and
disappeared @wn the stairway.
The servants were called up, and
poor old Mr.. Melford put to bed aid
physicians sent for; but they said he
would never recover his Speech and
senses-and they we're right. He
fingered for a few days, and then
died.
His SON Arthur was i'll in the city
when the news was brought from the
homestead that his money-troubles
were over, and he was a millionaire.
Captain Landon. who had left on
the morning after the outrage, now re-
turned, Arthur in his company. The
captain asked FIVE minutes audience
alone with Miss Croydon; but she de.
clined to see him. She sent him q
note, sarcastic, cruel, almost unwoman.
ly; but then, she reflected, what could
be too severe for SO abject and contemp,
tible coward
Captain Landon's regiment was
sent soon afterward to the West. One
day there was battle with the Sioux.
Captain Landen's company was sur
rounded by three times its number
and perished as the Light Brigade
perished at Balaklava.
All over the land his name was
spoken with thrill of pride such as
throbs in every true heart when q hero
dies-pride and pity.
The news came to Kate Croydon
now Kate Melford-at the homestead
as her husband lay dying, alasl not
heroically, in the dismal room where
his father was stricken down. Arthur
Melford's money had been his ruin-a
short life and merry-and now the
merriment was over forever.
Kate read the news from the West
to her husband.
"Where did he learn his courage p
she said, with the old sarcasm. "Per-
haps this is only newspaper romance,
after all"
"No, Kate" said Arthur Melford
from his bed of pain; "Landon was
always hero-strong in moral cour-
age, not mere brute prowess." And
then, with many gasp and sigh, he
told his secret.
''That man who entered this house
on the night of my fathers death-blow
came in quest of money-money to
pay his debts of honor. He thought
it more honorable TO steal (ahd muir
der, if necessary than to owe what he
had lost at cards. He demanded
money, and it was refused there was
struggle; the result of that you
know. The robber came out of the
room. You will recall how he was
seized by Landon in your presence.
Landon supposed iG to be Joe Roakes;
but the next moment learned the truth
Kate the robber was -
"You p'
"Yes; and to spare me, to spare
you, Landon martyred himself-play-
ed the coward. Kate, he was armed,
his right hand was upon pistol; with
all my strength, l was at his mercy
he could have shot me there like a
dog. But, my girl, in those few tre-
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