The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1879-06-25


honorable actiUnP Never! not though
her own heart broke, like Laura's.
AL! night long poor Sallie lay tossing
on her bed, working her foolish little
brain into state bordering upon frenzy
She revolved the matter in her mind
until she lost all power of correct and
tranquil judgment. The more violently
she excited herself, the more conclusive,
to her thinking, became the proofs of
poor Jacks baseness. At length she
could lie there no longer; she rose. and
by the faint light of the winter dawn she
wrote brief but decisive letter to Jack,
slipped her engagement ring into the
same inclosure, sealed the envelope, and
wrote his name upon it. Faint and
weary with her long conflict, she was
about to lie down again, when she re-
membered that it was near the early
breakfast hour appointed for the two
young men, and that she had promised
to assist Jerusha in her preparations; so
she dressed hastily, with trembling
fingers, and crept down to the kitchen.
Had she obtained an hours sleep she
would have awakened with clearer
sense of things, and the unfortunate note
would probably have been destroyed.
But now her wearied and overstimulated
brain continued to ponder upon the
cause of her distress, and magnify it to
gigantic proportions.
"For the lands sake, child" ex-
claimed Jerusha, you do look power
full bad!n
81 couldn't Sleep" said Sallie, shortly.
"There. Jerusha, the tables set, and
there's plenty of time for me to go and
rest while now" And quietly laying
the note beside jacks plate, she hurried
back to her room.
Her lover glanced around with rest
less eyes when he met Free and Auntie
Trib at the breakfast table. He had not
believed that Sallie would elude him
this morning. He seated himself, with
anxiously drawn brows.
"WhatP why, here's letter !" he ex-
claimed. Then, examining it, he read the
word " Private" beneath his own name,
and flushing hotly, he slipped it into
his breast pocket. From Sallie," he
said, quietly.
What ever does the child meanp"
cried Auntie Trb. "Ain't she upp Je-
rushy, go right up and get her."
"She said as how she'd ben layin'
awake said Jerusha, "and she went to
rest spell"
"Well, you go along and tell her to
come" said Mrs. Hill.
But Jack called out: Don't disturb
her if she's asleep"
Jerusha went up, and presently came
Gathering down again. "She's asleep"
she said as she entered.
Poor Sallie had indeed dropped into a
troubled slumber, and Jack would not
admit for an instant the idea of rousing
her.
1T would be cruel" said the soft
hearted fellow, Free and l will run
down here very soon again."
He was disappointed and doleful, but
he hoped the letter would explain mat
tiers. The ring had been dropped into
the folds of the paper, and its shape
could not be distinguished through the
thick envelope. Poor Jack wondered
vaguely what the hard substance within
could be, but the real state of the case
never dawned upon him.
As he and young Hill were walking
together to the railway station he took
the note from his pocket and tore it open.
1t was brief, mysterious, decisive.
"Queer enough" said Free, "for Sal
lie to give us the slip in this way. just
like you not to wake her. She'll be
mad enough to Bless me, Jack,
what's the matterp"
violent exclamation. His face was pur-
| pie, his eyes blazing with wrath and
pain. He held up the ring before Frees
astonished gaze.
"What in the name Of" began Free.
But he was unheard; Jack turned
swiftly, and ran like madman back
to the Hill cottage.
Sallie was walking the porch in an
agony of doubt and trouble. Her brief
rest had cleared her perceptions, but it
had not yet freed her from the state of
mingled perplexity and stubborn de-
cision into which she had worked her
self. She was not yielding, but she was
wretched and regretful.
Suddenly Jack appeared before her,
| flushed and glaring, his excitable tenn
permanent reused to its highest pitch.
Are you insaneP" he cried, seizing
her roughly by the arm. "Do you want
to drive me TO pedition with your wicked
| cruelty? In Heavens name. explain
yourself" And he fairly painted for
| breath.
"Let me got" she uttered, sternly; 81
will not have you to touch me. Ad-
dress me as if you were at least a gen
| tleman."
Jack was goaded to frenzy, and an
swered lintemperately; so the miser-
able quarrel ragged high. No explanation
was given; mutual recriminations passed
| DaCk ana 1OrJn. AT last saline taunted
him with an allusion to his Irritation
with Laura Beamis.
$50 it is for petty jealousy that you
treat me SOP" he cried.
mo" she answered 1T is because
l know you to be dishonorable."
At the word Jacks heated face turned
pale as death. The two foolish people
were now at white heat.
1T is lie," said he, in a voice of
ominous calm. And she, as sternly and
quietly, sent him from her, with orders
never to return. So he turned upon his
heel and left her there, and their bond
was broken.
After this the days went on quietly
enough. Night succeeded day with re-
morseless regularity. No one knew what
Sallie Hill suffered; no one knew what
she would have given to recall her bitter