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

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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 a 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 at finding friend at 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 a heart-throb that she had 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
suffer- But Greta was not a little stun
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
man whom you saw only once or twice
or IN ~ in n
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 me; 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
be the same as if we should call an
earthquake unpleasant" She was
thunder struck, overwhelmed, with Just
enough spirit left to return Mr.. Soth-l
erne's letters and presents by the next
mail without word.
He has heard all about the diamond
| and believes Il" she thought. 1t would
be 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 all ut
once. "Another such shock will send
me to the insane asylum" sighed Greta.
But there was another yet in store for
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 guiltyP
| 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 is
no one to help me, she gasped, think
ing aloud, rather than speaking to Mr..
| Grafton.
Yes, yes, there is some one ready to
help YOU, Greta," said that gentleman; /;
81 will help you, if you will only give
me the right" he petitioned.
"You, Mr. Graftonp What right can
give you? 1 don't understand.
"Ifyou were my promised wife All!
my dear Miss Greta, don't turn away
your head disdainfully; hear me out.
Mr.. Stoughton is under some obligation
to me; if you were my promised wife, l
could write him. There would be no
more said about the missing diamond; +;
it would be accounted for in some nat
ural manner. You would be no longer
| suspected. No one could suspect the
woman whom Thomas Grafton delighted
to honor"
sFSni' sF0S.i but 40 not love SOu' M'' 'f'1-
"I don't ask you to love me. OF
course you don't; the idea has never,
perhaps. entered your head before.
only beg that you will marry me. Love
win come sooner or later, as / deserve it
at your hands. And, my dear Greta,
what better can you doP Who will
give you employment, with this blight
upon youP How will you earn your
daily breadP"
II don't know" returned Greta /;
"how shall l, indeedP But, all the
same. it would be contemplate to re-
ward your unselfshness by merely
marrying you for a home.p
"Only agree to marry me, and will
Y not quarrel with the motives he inn
plOred.
What could Greta do? Her lover had
deserted her; her good name was tar
nished. Without home, friends or work,
was it not the height of folly to refuse
such a way of escaped And yet, how
could she love himP But might not one
wealth, ease and position; vanish all
illusions that make life sweet. She