The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1878-08-21

meeJlnB 1Or Wn1c0 ne 0ad lOngeu ana
equally dreaded, paused like one in a
dream. If the whole group gathered in
this smoke-laden room should suddenly
vanish before his eyes, he need scarcely
be astonished, but treat them as a pban-
tasy of the brain. He had said to him
self repeatedly during the past five
years, eff she came to me once before
die, and allowed me to look in her eyes
without speaking, / should be satisfied"
Here was an unexpected and even start
ling fulfllment.
"Oh, the trouble that chimney has
given us ! We had better give it up,
and Freeze" Thus spake Aunt Sophia,
in smoke-stihed accents, and the Voice,
sharp, metallic, and practical, acted on
Paul Chambers lethargy as a douche
ba tn revives q somnambulist. He recol-
lected not only himself, but that the at
tention Of Aunt Sophia and the gaping
menials must be diverted from Annie's
evident distress, even if up chimney.
He removed his gloves, stepped forth
valiantly, and became leader in the bat
tie against smoke.
"This fireplace was never built TO be
used," he said, removing. the velvet
hangings. "The space below is too
shallow for a lucifer-match to burn
WE'LL"
Aunt Sophia glanced at Anne triumph
antly, and nodded her head. Paul Cham
bers, with his own hands, began to
chisel out the back of the fireplace,
recklessly enlarging the space. The
padrone-a gentlemanly person, addict
ed to cigarettes and embroidered smok-
f,,Sr 1a1
to thus mending the chimney's evil
ways, nor would the porter in livery
below-stairs have done other than point
to the four winds for remedy. Aunt
Sophia simply exulted in him, and the
blacker his fingers became, the more
highly did she respect his efficiency.
Anne had vanished.
In half an hour the chimney's mouth
was enlarged past recognition; in an
hour Mr.. Chambers applied match to
an artistic structure of pine cones, twigs,
and sticks, and the flames leaped up
merrily. The chimney having found,
acknowledged its master. Where was
Anne? She did not return, and Mr..
Chambers received Aunt Sophias COR
dial invitation to dinner somewhat
stif1y.
"We shall expect you at six O'Clock, Z"
said the good lady, beaming with salts
faction. 1--WE will blow out all the
smoke before you return"
"I suppose must meet Anne's hus-
band, then, meditated Mr.. Chambers,
as he walked away. "Why could not
he mend the chimney?"
At six o'clock most radiant little
lady received Paul Chambers, and ac-
cepted graciously the bouquet of roses
he brought.
"You used to like roses," he said,
looking at her dreamily.
She was the Anne of old, with added
charms, such as an intercourse with the
world imparts. The softly rounded out
line of her face remained unchanged,
was still youthful and serene, but she
carried her head with more dignity, and
there was a certain latent pride in the
blue eyes unlike the saucy sparkle of
girlhood. Valuable jewels flashed on
her fingers. He noted these details with
jealous pang, which he was too proud
TO betray.
CT trust that am to have the pleas
ure of being presented to your husband
this evening"" he said, coldly.
She gave him a wild glance, and the
blood rushed to her brow. Aunt Sophia,
in fresh cap with lavender bows, had
to come to the rescue, and tapped him
on the arm warningly.
Hush Did you not know? Anne
has been a widow for two years, and q
better husband than the Judge never
lived" she whispered, as they went in to
dinner.
1t would be impossible to describe
Mr.. Chambers emotions while he ate his
soup, these words ringing in his ears.
Anne a widow Why had he not known
the truth before2 Who was to inform
him? He looked severely at her pre-
siding over the pretty table, with its
flowers and fruits and silver, in her robes
of pink and gray. These were hel
widows weeds, then Anne looked
back at him with a warning flash of def.
ance or indignation in her beautiful
eyes.
"She is right" he thought, with 6
sigh of deep dependency.
Aunt Sophia was delighted with him
because he proved such an excellent
listener. She had seldom met a more
interesting man, she afterward affirmed,
although he had scarcely opened his lips
When the meal was concluded she wal
quite hoarse, and discreetly withdrew t.
comfortable armchair, the Persian cal
on her knee, while Anne and Paul Cham
bers occupied the window, and watched
the twilight deepen over the city.
Aunt Sophia, with the philosophy
peculiar to middle age and good di
gestion, after dinner, fell into reverie
Her page in the great volume of expert
ence read thus:
Her nephew, the mature and wealth,
Judge Moore, had fallen in love with
mere schoolgirl, Anne Horton, anC
married her for his second wife. Aun
Sophia was not surprised; the extra
} ordinary ways of men never surprises