The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1879-05-14


What can a man do with all this con-
fusion of LIE Barons and Platts and Nor
peths? They have all married and got
different names long ago, most likely.
Why, Mr.. Freke, what is itP what have
you found, sirP for his companion had
uttered a sudden exclamation.
There, on the shelves of buffet which
he had just opened, were ranged in
splendid row platters and dishes and
cups of magnificent India china, blue,
crimson, and gold, with on each tfie
same little shield and monogram, in
sharp, cleaning lines of color, which he
had last seen in faded tints on the old
plate in Mrs. Sabina Marsh's cupboard
months before. 1t was certainly the
same; he recognized it instantly. But
how came it hereP And what was the
link between this rich and lonely woman
and Mrs. Marsh and pretty Raby in
their quaint solitude and bare povertyP
He made no distinct explanation to the
puzzled executor, but advised him to
defer advertising for little while; and
tlle next day but one found him at the
gate of the old house again. No bright
gifl-face smiled welcome this time: :
Raby had gone back to her school-teach-
ing, and Aunt Sabina, grim as ever, re-
ceived him.
Her distant and suspicious manner
gradually thawed rs she discerned the
meaning of his questions. Mrs. Nor
peth was her aunt, her mothers sister.
Her grandmother's name was Platt, and
her mother was the Barbara Holds
worthy Hagen of the china monogram.
Yes, her mother did marry LIE Baron.
He was n Frenchman. He did not live
very long after the marriage. Did he
turn out badlyp She could not say-it
wasn't for her to speak i'll of her own
father, but the family took offence and
never would have anything to do with
her mother afterward. No, she never
saw her aunt, and she never wanted to.
In her opinion they treated her mother
ShGnefuly. Raby's mother was older
dead now, and so was Mr.. Glenn. Raby
was the only child. Prove itP Why
of course she could, but why should she
Everybody knew about the Marshes and
the Glenns-everybody that had any
business to, that was. And pray why
did the gentleman ask all these ques-
tions?-what concern was it of his, any.
wayP
So Raby was the heiress.
There was great deal of confusion in
Ernest Freke's mind after this. He gave
his best services to proving Raby's it'll
and putting her in possession of he
great-aunt's bequest, and for this end i
was needful they should meet; but thes
interviews were of strictly busines
character. Ernest kept them so. g
won't make up to girl, now she is rich
whom l deliberately turned away iron
when she was poor" he said to himself
Raby was not little aggrieved by thi
| e o4ro 80 10 1ot
thank him comfortably" she told he
aunt. "He Just bows and goes away.
After a while she and Mrs. Marsl
came to the city, and then they me
oftener. There were plenty of people t
show attention to a young and beautiful
heiress. Mrs. Hunter, among the rest
was specially empresSee in her civilities
Mr.. Frelle was always encountering Mis-
Glenn at dinners1or at parties, and after
while he ceased to fight against the new
and sweet influence that had come int
his life He asked Raby to marry him
telling her the manful truth about him
self, and leaving her to judge the matter
Il don't think you were to blame
muchm pronounced Raby, lifting he
soft eyes with look which sent thri
to all his tense nerves. "a man can't a
ways marry girl even if he likes hel
And you hadn't seen me but three time!
you know. 1t was much more honorabl
in you to stop then than to go on littl
longer and make me like you-more.
This more" was irresistible. 1t cause
an interruption.
There's one thing would like so muc
to do" resumed Raby, little latel
! You'll help me manage it, won't yol
ErnestP" want to send Mrs. Huntt
, one of those big plates, like that ol
cracked one which she wanted to buy
: Do you think l might, and will you tax
,, it to her?" 1t is sort Of debt, for if sh
, hadn't come curiosity-hunting that da,
/ might never have seen you, or heard {
I Aunt Morpeth or her will, or"
"Bless the old plate, then!n interrupte
Ernest Freke. "Send Mrs. Hunter ne
: one, by all means; but that old one "
! will have framed, and hang up on OF
walls, and keep always, won't W
. Rabyp"
) And they did.-Harper'S Bazar.