The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1880-01-07

substantial, red bricked mansion, known
simply In the vicinity as The Hall.'
His heart throbbed strangely as he
found himself in the old familiar room.
Years had elapsed since last he crossed
the threshold. yet all things in and about
the spacious apartment had undergone
SO little change that he.ooud almost
fancy he had not been absent many
days. 81 fslf,qaH n.f aoE iHaFa
A servant entering with liairs dis
turbed his metlitations, and Immediately
afterward there was soft rustic of silk
and GRIPPE, and the heiress stood before
him. . sbi y Boa sf1oj 7rH '-'.e
He bowed deepiy, but Miss bennington
was less ceremonious in her greeting,
Advancing quickly with her hand out
stretched, she said, gently and sweetly
1t is kind of you, indeed, Mr.. Grant
ley, to come SO soon--very kind. ]
feared almost thai yon would cherish
some harsh feelings toward me for hhv-
ing--tlorghl quite AuhkhowingiyAd
prived you of your grandfather's Inherit
ance, that you would shun me always
The thought gave me the keeuest pain,
and am glad -sO glad to find my fears
uhioundedl We are The sole living re-
presentatives of one family, and for that
reason only we ought surely to be good
friends"
Ralph had taken heltland in his. and
he retained IL while she spoke. His
pulses throbbed as he gazed upon the
lovely face before him, and her voice, as
she made that earnest appeal, was so
fuu of the sweetest music that he felt he
could be content to listen to IFS tones
forever.
'sIy have ,oome---Yybegans Ralph |; bpt
his. companion noting the graveness Of
his voice, hastened to interrupt him.
Before you say anything more" she
urged, gently, ''give me the assurance
that yOn bear no enmitS t0wllrd ane.
Promise me that you viii be iFiends.o
Would it be possible for any one TO
say nay to such requestPS asked Ralph,
enchanted by the appeaEance and man
ner Of the heiress. 'tBelieve me, my
dearest wish is thst we may be friends
always !"
Tears Of joy rose to her eyes; but her
face grew sadder as Ralph went Ons u
There Is one condition in our bond
of friendship" he said, drawing forth
the deed OF gift while he spoke, = am
deeply touched by the rare generosity of
spirit which prompted you to offer me
one-half your fortune, and shall thank
JOu III ~ ftud OlCOB Ou III lily llICa. U0b
j have come to give you this deed back,
and to assure you that under no circum-
stances can consent 10 the sacrifice you
wish to make ES-
- But it is made--the deed is done,r
she said, with quivering lips and glisten-
ing eyes; the money is already paid
into your bankers
"Then there it will remain" said
Ralph, firmly; !" for / am determined
MOTTO touchit." 4 esee - MF -
',Ihope to be able to induce you to
alter your decision" she answered, re-
fusing to take the folded parchment
which he held toward her. rAtuny
rate" she added, as he shook his head,
g you will allow me to offer. you some
refreshment, and invite you to accept
the shelter of the Hall for tonight.
There is no train back 20 town until to-
morrow morning"
Ralph hesitated. Hewas determined
not to avail himself of her generosity
while she, on her side, was equally re-
solved that as mere act of Justice the
fortune should be divided. But Ralph
feared, with good reason. that if he re-
malned and listened to her arguments
and entreaties. his resolution might
waver or be overturned together.
N(Ou5lh Lh11lDlls HrlAC StdiUg ilAlHR Utt
dark eyes full upon him, g you will STAY
at the Hall tonight, will you not? Il
is so lonely here in this great house will
only Mrs. Bates-an old friend of my
mothers--to talk to. Let us occupy
ourselves this evening with speaking ol
the future, for you know you have prom
ised that we shalfbe friends.
Who could resist such tender word.
and pleading looksg Certainly moi
I Ralph. for he was already conscious
/ that for good or evil Evelyn bennington
w1uld influence all .hiss future. Hel
generous offer TO divide the fortune haC
naturally produced a deep effect upor
! him, and before the evening was over
this feeling had developed into a warmer
/ one. Charmed by her grace and beauty
--subjugated by her winning WAYS
Ralph for the first time knew what i
/ was to love.
The next morning, when he stood il
the hall, wishing his beautiful cousin
/ goodbye, it was clear that her infiuenc,
( had not been sufficient to cause him Il
i change his determination. 1t haC
brought about some kind of eompro
mise; for holding both her hands in
4 hiss and gazing ardently into her face
] he said, in tender accents:
DO not doubt me, dear eOusin--dC
not imagine this is any passing fancy
Love is plant of quick growth, Eve
( lyn, and you have only to be seen to b'
loved by every one-bow much thl
more, then, by meP Remember oui
compact-that for the present nothinl
! more is to be said about the division o
the property that you viii let me SCI
you and speak to you very--yery often
that at the end of six months shal
\ come forward to accept the deed Of gift
but upon the condition that when tax
it shall take the giver, tOo--that yol
will then fix the day when you viii
make my happiness complete by becOm
ing my wife!"
And Evelyn looked up with a bIigh
smile on her lips and pleased look il
her eyes, that shoWed-short as hai
been her acquaintance with Ralpl
Grantley-he was already far from in