The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1879-06-04

ed her cause, while he undertook the
case Mrs Stoughton had intrusted to him.
Mr.. Grafton was wealthy bachelor,
somewhat gray, and good deal bald he
had smiled upon Greta more than once,
without receiving any answering smile !;
perhaps he thought now that everything
arrives to him who can afford to wait
that this was his opportunity. His
housekeeper had once engaged Greta to
make carpets at Grafton Place, and he
had taken pains to show her over the
house and grounds, and had nearly
snatched kiss in the shadow of the lin
dens, as he put her into his carriage to
send her home. Greta had never worked
there again; but perhaps she was too
| grateful ut finding a friend ut her side in
such stormy weather to refuse favor
from Mr.. Grafton. and perhaps she had
forgotten his audacity. Yet in the midst
of her humiliations Greta remembered
with n heart-throb that she had a lover
TO come to her rescue if she chose to call
him-that she should not be dependent
upon Mr.. Grafton's tender mercies after
Stephen Sotherne had been notified of
her strait. At the same time, she felt
disinclined to break the bad news to him
till after all was over. For how could it
be possible for an innocent person to
sufferP But Greta was not little stun
ned one morning on receiving letter in
the handwriting of her " true love-"
which ran in this wise:
"MY DEAR GRETA-It is some time
since had the pleasure of hearing from
you, and it has occurred to me to ask if
time and distance were not weakening
our hold upon each other; to wonder
how long you would continue to love q
man whom you saw only once or twice
n year, since it seems to me that owing
to the bad times our marriage is as in
definitely postponed as the millennium.
Now. my dear girl, / do not wish to
stand in your light; if you were not en-
gagged to me, some more eligible partner
would seek you, feel certain. More
over, my health is precarious, and the
doctors have advised me to try the air of
California. 1t is a prescription more
nauseous than drugs, since / must leave
you behind Inc; but ! could not, in
honor, carry your promise with me for
an indefinite space of time for my own
selfish satisfaction merely. At the same
time, believe me, it is no easy thing for
me to say 'adieu to the dearest girl in
the world. Sincerely,
"STEPHEN SoTHERNE."
To say that Greta was surprised would
| DD Illp Sillne us ii we SnOulu Cdll All
earthquake unpleasant" She was
thunder-struck, overwhelmed, with just
enough spirit left to return Mr.. Soth-
erne's letters and presents by the next
mail without n word.
He has heard all about the diamond.
and believes it." she thought. 1t would
be Il comfortable arrangement if one
could cease to love the instant lover
proves unworthy, but hearts are not
fashioned after that manner. When
every thought and motive of ones life
is woven up with those of another, one
cannot unravel the tangled web aff at
once "Another such shock will send
me to the insane asylum" sighed Greta.
But there was another yet in store toI
her Mr.. Grafton had taken to dropping
in upon her after her days work. One
evening he said:
"Miss Greta, what if you should be
found guilty of this-this-"
If they should find me guilty! How
can they find an innocent person guilty
If took the diamond, where is it?"
Mr.. Grafton smiled indulgently
"People have been imprisoned, branded
exiled, hanged, and quartered for sins
they never committed. If you were
guilty, you would be more likely to es
cape; you would have laid your plans.
, Greta gave an involuntary sob; the
tears shone in her eyes. " And there il
no one to help me" she gasped, think
ing aloud, rather than speaking to Mr.
, Grafton.
= Eyes, yes, there is some one ready t.
help you, Greta," said that gentleman
81 will help you, if you will only give
me the right he petitioned.
t "You, Mr. Graftonp What right car
give you? l don't understand"
, "Ifyou were my promised wife All
my dear Miss Greta, don't turn ava!
your head disdainfully; hear me out
: Mr.. Stoughton is under some obligation
to me; if you were my promised wife,
: could write him. There would be n'
, more said about the missing diamond
it would be accounted for in some nat
4 ural manner. You would be no longe
suspected. No one could suspect tn
4 woman whom Thomas Grafton delighted
t to honor"
e "You-you are very kind. than
! you; but do not love you' MI Graf
D ton"
2 "I don't ask you to love me. O
4 course you don't; the idea has never
n perhaps, entered your head before.
2 only beg that you will marry me. Low
D Twill come sooner or later, aS l deserve
: at your hands. And, my dear Greta
S what better can you dop Who wi
give you employment, with this bligh
v upon youP How will you earn you
a daily breadP"
: II don't know" returned Greta
; chow shall l, indeedP But, all tn
It same, it would be contemplate to rC
/. ward your unselfshness by merel
e marrying yeu for home"
e "Only agree to marry me, and | wi
s. not quarrel with the motives" " he in
+ plored.
v What could Greta do? Her lover ha
z deserted her; her good name was tan
IF nished. Without home, friends or worl
- was it not the height of folly to refus
l. such a way of escaped And yet, hO'
a could she love himP But might not on
" survive the luxury of lovingP Com
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