The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1879-06-18

4
and would make her very good husband" :"
know he used to love me, said Lydia
But you returned his love by treating
him very coldly," suggested Nellie.
"That was when he was only poor
clerk" returned the proud beauty; but
now that he has returned with the golden
fleece Of Phryxus, he is quite a different
person."
He will make very eligible match"
pronounced the mother, with much decis-
ion. She spoke as though she had made
up her mind, and wished to hear no more
argument upon the point.
And now let me ask you a question"
said Lydia, turning to her sister. You
probably remember that Mr. Frank West
usedtp have a particular regard for you,
and Il should Judge, from the clumsy man
ner in which he deported himself this even
ing, that he not onl y had the same regard
now, but that he had some hope of sue
ceeding in his suit"
"Well, returned Nellie very quietly.
Would you give him your hand%
Perhaps so-if he should ask me for it."
You would, my child p interposed Mrs.
Collins.
az should" was Nellies answer. "That
is" she added, if found him to be what
think he is"
But, my daughter" resumed the mother,
with some show of concern, "you should
reflect upon this. | had hoped that you
would give your hand to Edwin Lotion.
You know he is wealthy, and is very
anxious to gain you for a wife, while this
Frank West is probably poor, and not cal
culated to rise in the world"
How do you know he is poor, mother ?"
Il learned to-day that only one of the
cousins brought home money. Sydney has
been shrewedly speculating, and coming
gold, while the other was drudging, as he
will probably continue to do
."Well, mother" returned Nellie, after
thinking for a moment, / shall be gov
erned in this by my own sense OF what is
right and proper. | know that my father
always loved Frank, and had much conf
dence in him, and / will not deny that !
love him, even now. With regard to Mr..
Lotion, / should never have a husband if
he were my only choice. He may be
wealthy, but his character is not good. Ii
Frank is poor, know he is industrious and
persevering, and the few thousand dollars
which my father left for me will enable him
OF start well in some moderate business"
Mrs. Collins changed color, and seemed
to be startled by what her daughter had
said but she soon managed to compose
herself though she did not resume the con-
versation.
"Egad, Frank, come on gloriously with
my charmer!' cried Sidney West, as the
TWO sat in their room at the hotel. "She
has promised to be mine. Only think
he wouldn't even look at me when l went
away"
Il L., 81 ol,
think 2" asked Frank.
"My manners, sir retorted Sydney,
spreading himself with mock show. al
have captivated her. She is willing to be-
stow her fortune upon me in consideration
OF the fine, fashionable husband | shall
give her. But | mean to do the handsome
thing, Frank; mean to be steady, and go
into business as soon as / am married.
hope you will, Sid.," returned the
younger cousin. You have talent and
ability, and there is no reason why you
should not prosper"
"Thank you. But say-how do you come
on with Nellie?'
al have not spoken with her yet-that
il, not directly" returned Frank, with some
hesitation.
"Pooh You're safe enough. She loys
you-shes loved you for years. You'll get
a heart Frank
of get Nellie Collins, l shall get
true and loving wife, am sure"
"Of course you will"
As Sidney thus spoke he looked at his
watch, and then arose and went out. In
little while Frank followed his example,
and wended his way toward Mrs. Collinss.
He found Nellie at home, and went in to
spend the evening. They conversed upon
various matters until quite late, and then
Frank approached the subject that lay
nearest his heart. He told Nellie that he
could not bear the suspense longer. He
said he loved her as he had never loved an
other-he had loved her long time
and if she would be his wife he would love
her always.
Nellie trembled, and it was some moments
ere she answered. But finally she looked
up, and said, with warm, generous frank
ness
az must answer you plainly, for my own
happiness is as much at stake as yours.
Had you asked me this question week ago
/ should have had no hesitation in giving
my answer. But am not situated now as
then supposed was"
Nellie" cried the lover, as his COM
panion hesitated, "what do you mean? You
surely love me. Oh-you cannot have
given to an"
"Stop, Frank" interposed the maiden,
with sudden start, "you misunderstood
me. 1 must tell you the TRUTH must
confde to you a secret which L at first re-
solved that l would never divulge. l only
knew it three days ago. You knew that
my father left some property%
al did"
".And that some few thousand dollars
were left for each of his childrenp
81 had supposed So
Well-in an unfortunate moment my
mother, who had the use of it all, was led
into speculation by which everything was
lost. 1t all appeared fair and sure to her,
and she ran the risk with the firm belief
that she should nearly double the property.
She lost it all but she was not to blame.
am sorry, for her sake, for she suffers