The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1880-06-23

GOOSe'S rhymes, is counting out his
money l really feel giddy with the
sudden plunge from dread of approach
ing ruin to the possession of wealth be-
yond our dreams; and just here let NE
assert that / really did hear the chink
of money that ghostly afternoon.
Harry brought the box of panels
down from the city, and after dinner |
pretended l could not wait till to-mor-
row to try their effect, and begged him
to open it. / really only did so to divert
his thoughts from his business cares he
looked so white and sad, poor fellow,
that ! had little interest enough even in
laying my ghost. He hesitated a mo-
ment, then said: l have something to
tell you, Kate; but it can wait till we
have seen Elsie's pretty work And
added under his breath, but | caught
the words: Trouble will come to her
soon enough, poor child
1--WE easily wrenched off the lid, and
Harry really seemed to forget his wor-
ries a moment while admiring the
| lovely garlands and bouquets. pm so
glad you chose morning-glories for the
! little square panels. / never saw any
thing so perfect as the way you have
grouped the buds and blossoms. The
mantelpiece had been painted dead
black, as you suggested, so we set to
work at once, put in the side panels,
then the little square panels above
them-they fitted exactly-and after
gazing at the effect a moment, tried to
slip the center panel into its place. 1t
seemed little tight, and one end sank
lower than the other. will it stand
blow, KateP' asked Harry. l must
crowd this side down little more to
make it even l wrapped the ham
mer carefully in flannel, and gave
it to him, saying: First try pushing; it
will never do to bruise the paint He
did so, and suddenly shouted: Stand
back, Kate, the whole mantelpiece is
| giving way Before the words had
ished; mine, which had been holding
to steady, swung straight out into the
room, and such clinking and rafting
echoed in my ears, as a perfect Danae's
shower of gold pieces came rolling down
the hearth-rug, glittering and flashing
in the lamplight, while we stood en-
veloped in a cloud OF dust, staring into
what looked like a huge blacT hole.
After few minutes the shower stopped,
and we began to look about us. On
the hearth with the money lay some
dusty papers, bonds md stocks, Harry
said, and inside the black hole were
bags of gold coins, one of which had
burst open, more papers, and among
them the missing will. Imagine our
astonishment, our delight! | can
hardly believe it now. 1t seems like a
fairy tale. And, oh! the relief of Harry!
He had been trying all dinner time to
summon up courage to tell me that the
firm was hoI elessly involved, and
would be declared bankrupt to-mor-
row; every resource was exhausted.
Think of it, Elsie; few days more
anu the house would have been sold,
the property lost to us forever. What
narrow escape. Blessings on decora-
tive art! l have been laughing and
crying by turns for the last hour, and
Harry hasn't behaved much NOR
sensibly. We've had war dance
around my poor old bugbear
Such a simpleton as was tC
fancy all sorts of ghostly horrors, anc
run away when the dear ugly old thing
ratified its secret in my ears with every
gust of wind that blew! 1t shall never
be taken away and split up for firewooC
now, that's certain. WhaL nonsense
am writing! Never mind I've felt lit
tie inclination for nonsense during the
last few months. / have right to in
dulge myself in it now. Poor Mr.. Var
Schenck He tried so hard to tell Harry
the secret. He had had safe for silver
built in the wall when the mantelpiec
was put up, and afLerward used it for hi
valuables. A spring hidden in the cen
tral panel opened it. l wonder you did
not find it when you were taking the
measure and spoke of it being shaky
Do you rememberP Harry has finished
Counting out his money! and authorita
! lively orders me to bed, saying it is Ion!
past midnight, and no proper hour 70
! anybody but ghosts to be abroad; so
! ! unless 1 mea ! my letter to be lik
Tennyson's brook, and go on forever
| am to close it at once. Like goo
, wife, obey. l am too happy to be any
! thing but dutiful. Shall confess tina
: l took base advantage of the oppol
! tunity, and asked my liege lord a shoI
time ago what he thought of my 'hobb!
!; AS lie calls decorative art-now. H
answer l need not record; suffice it t
: say it was perfectly satisfactory. Good
night, my darling. l can't find words
express my gratitude, but if pair {
= solitaire diamond earrings as bright {
y your idea Another warning frol
i Harry; now l really must stop.
a Your loving sister, KATE. ."
= --HGTper'S BGzGl
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