The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1878-08-07

won, and thrown aside, and that still her
heart throbbed at sight of her old lover.
On awaking the following morning, 1
found the sun shining broadly in my
room. Miss Laura was an early riser,
and must have rung for me. Hastily
dressing, I hurried TO her room. She
was up, sitting in the great armchair
listlessly, like one dreaming with open
eyes.
,'Did you ring for me ?" 1 asked,
"IP Yes. 1 believe I did," she re.
piled, with a start "Dress me as quick
ly as you can," she added, with forced
quiet; "I will have my breakfast
brought up stairs. You can make some
excuse to Miss Knox-say am not we'll,
and really am not. / don't care at all
about breakfast, but, as am going out,
suppose had better eat something"
dressed her, and had tray with
coffee and toast sent up. When she had
finished, she summoned me again.
"Renie, 60 put on your plainest
wraps" she said, ''and thick veil, and
wait for me in the library. 1 want you
to go out with me this morning."
Wondering at her manner, 80 quiet
and self-contained, 30 almost humble,
more than at the message, l arrayed
myself in waterproof cloak, and drew
thick veil closely over my hat, and
waited for her as she had directed. She
came in presently, habited almost like
nun. I could see how white her face
was under the muffler she had drawn
across it.
Placing in my care a parcel and
small basket, she led the way, leaving
word with a servant that she might not
be back to luncheon.
That her errand, whatever it was, was
a secret one, knew by her manner, for
she was nervous, and evidently suffer
ing from some inward agitation. For
several squares we walked along silent
| ly, and, on turning the corner of an OBJ
scure street, she was joined by gen.
tleman whose face did not see at first,
but whose firm, elegant figure was un-
familiar to me-.
heard Miss Laura say, in answer to
some low-voiced remark:
ct can trust her-there's no risk,
Philip"
| Oppressed with almost oyerpowering
anxiety, 1 fell back a step or two, and
| followed slowly and unwillingly.
On and on they went together, talking
but little, and in low tones, till they had
reached the lower plane, locally and
morally, of the city.
The house before which we stopped
at last was somewhat different from its
surroundings. 1t was hqnked on one
side by a grim, deserted-looking ware
house; on the other by an old Dutch
church, whose few leaning, moss cover
Ell headstones, in the small graveyard in
front, seemed sinking with age into the
yielding turf. The house was grim and
faded, the paint dingy, and the front
door full of seams and cracks; but it
had the redeeming quality of seclusion,
for it sat far back from the street, over
looking q narrow garden.plat. One
window over the hall-daor was draped
with scant lace curtain, and a pot of
geraniums bloomed underneath on the
SILL
The young man, with a few eager,
whispered words to Miss Laura, I'M
locked the door with a key which he
took from his pocket, and we entered a
long, cheerless hall, and from there the
dreary parlor, in which there was no
vestige of furniture save two wooden
chairs.
"Sit down, Renie," said Miss Laura,
face and manner preoccupied; will
take the things, and You will wait for me
here; 1 shan't be gone long"
Ny heart sank as she disappeared,
leaving me alone with my thoughts. AL
ready had hearp the tread of a mans
foot up stairs, and soon, in addition, the
closing of the door above, and light
footstep. Never had 1 so keenly expert
enced the dread of utter desolation as
now white 1 sat in that deserted room.
Doubtless children had played in it, and
| light hearts sung, for it had evidently
been a cheerful home once, as the de-
faced ofnamentation and faded frescoing
gave evidence of former beauty. But
now the plastering was broken, the
walls were black with cobwebs, and the
windows quite crusted with dirt. 1t was
evident that the place had been long un-
occupied.
had seated myself, when a step on
the stairs and the opening of the door
caused me to spring up in terror. Philip
Lansing stood on the threshold, hat in
hand, and his face absolutely lighted up
the room. It was, as had heard, radi-
antly beautiful, with haunting dark eyes
all the more fascinating that their ex-
preston at that moment was intensely
sad.
"Come, Renie." said voice outside.
I met Miss Laura in the hall.
thought she had been crying. She
handed me basket, that seemed heavier
than the one 1 had brought.
"Renie, this is my cousin, Mr.. Philip
Lansing" she said. "He has lately re-
turned from abroad-and this, Philip, if
the little protege told you about.
Mr.. Philip condescended to touch his
hat, and we went outside into the little
yard.
Mr.. Philip accompanied us to the cor
ner, and there stopped.