The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1879-12-24

den weakness, sat down in the nearest
chair.
Pardon me, did not know you
were"
"Oh, Margaret, is it really you whom
! see at last-at lastw Harold inter-
rupted.
| do not understand" she replied.
confusedly passing her hand across her
eyes, and then looking up at him timidly.
Are you not Mr.. WestonP / thought
at first, so wonderful is the resemblance,
that you were an-an- old friend of
mine, whom | had not seen for--for-
many months and years"
For three years, Margaret Arnold"
he replied. cit is three years since
you-since-oh. Margaret i-since you
sent me cruel and unjust note, and
now find you here!-you dependent
in a strangers houseI"
Sir, what is your nameP May /
ask ii this, or the one by which l used
to know you, is the fictitious one, and is
it your habit to change your name when
making new acquaintancesP"
Her calmness had quite returned her
cold hauteur cut him deeply, and his
pride helped him to speak steadily.
This is no time or place to explain
done me grievous wrong all these wears,
and that never wrote the note you re-
turned to me. Moreover, the name l
now bear is settled upon me by my
uncle's will, and with its adoption l
was made his heir. That is all, Miss
Arnold. ] will not detain you longer.
The seal l am in search of can be found
tomorrow. | value it highly, and
would not lose it. If possible, / shall
keep it by me my life through. If you
will honor me with an interview to-
morrow, will be grateful, and hope TO
appear a little less sinful in your eyes
ere long"
81 scarcely think an interview neces-
sary, sir" answered Margaret. "Our
paths lie far apart now, and can sim
cerely wish you a happy future, either
married or unmarried"
She held out her hand as she spoke,
with a sad smile; and his own shook
visibly as he took, after long years,
once more the little palm within his
strong clasp.
g shall never marry, Miss Arnold
A man can love as | have loved but
once in his lifetime. God bless you
Good-by."
Then he went out of the room, and,
pleading some excuse, left the house ut
an early hour.
And yet, before the door had been five
minutes closed Upon him, Margaret
found the missing seal, and wept there
on her knees as she recognized little
gift she herself had long ago given him
and forgotten. He had carefully pre-
served it in rich setting after the form
of seal, and all these years had carried
it about him.
The old love, long banished, was not
slow to well up in Margaret's heart
again, and chance favored an eXplana-
tion between the two ere many DAYS
an explanation which made the two
hearts happy beyond measure
They never knew, but we can point
out the rejected hover of that long ago"
who concocted, out of his foolish envy
and jealousy, the note which so cleverly
initiated Howard's penmanship as to
bring misery upon the two who were
all in all to each other.
But Margaret had faith to believe her
lovers word, and the glad Christmas
time was true to the motto of peace
on earth, goodwill toward men," and
tho first day of New Y ear saw an engage
ment ring upon our Margaret's finger,
which drove Isabel nearly wild with
envy.
Miss Berkly's visit was suddenly
ended. Nobody dared hint why, but
Isabel knew it was pique that allied her
friend, and the contagion did not escape
herself. Margaret and her husband
went to Europe on q weddi:ng-tour, and
Mrs. Granger is looking for governess.