The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1881-03-02

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little brown cottage which was the only
home she remembered, as she had been
left an orphan TO this aunt's care in her
earliest childhood. Poor and plain as
everything appeared thrill came over
her at sight of it, and she hurried with
real anxiety into the house, whose door
stood open.
Aunt Rachel was in bed, and neigh
bor's girl had come in to wait on her.
The old woman had q sweet, patient
lace, and her eyes lighted up as she saw
the young girl In whom all her love and
earthly hopes were centered.
" / feared / had done wrong to send
for you" she said, "but there was q
little business to settle. Do you know,
my love, the age of miracles is not
overP"
Gertrude smiled and held her aunt's
wasted hand very fondly.
I've told you that the house-all
have-might be taken away from me any
time. What do you think of my having
q couple Of thousand sent me yesterday
enough TO pay off the mortgage, and
leave me five hundred dollarsp"
81 should,say you dreamed it, auntie. y
Look in the top bureau drawer, and
prise and Joy of it has been too much
for me. To think jamie has remembered
me now that his fortune is made in
Indial My godson, you know"
Gertrude had the check in her hands.
and viewed it with delight.
You see, my love, the action to fore.
close the mortgage has Just commenced,
and l could not rest q moment till this
business was arranged. You can do it
for me, and Bess here will keep me COM
pauy.'
Gertrude was quite relieved to find
that it was anxiety more than illness
which had prostrated her aunt; and she
at once set about performing her task,
which she did by calling on an old
friend-a lawyer--to aid her. She had
the satisfaction of leaving the old lady
calm and comfortable in the evening.
She found it quite dark when she
reached the house, and felt symptom
OF relief that the family were not vet
returned. The children, to her surprise,
were in bed, a state OF affairs which she
did not doubt had been accomplished
by bribery.
But the silence and rest were never
theless sweet, ana she Shutdown to the
hemming of some interminable ruffies
with which Mrs. Chumleigh kindly
kept her employed. After time shut
ting of doors, laughter and cleaning
lights woke up the quiet house, but no
one disturbed her.
The next morning Francia swooped
in just as lessons began.
"Well, you look serene," she said.
" Do you know there's an earthquake
downstairsP"
"Oh, what fibber you are, Francia
Dormer T. cried Rod, Indignantly. "If
there was an earthquake iT would hove
us all up"
"Well, look out Bad boys get swal-
lowed the first thing" said Francia.
:" This, however, is a financial one.
Thsy've lost ten thousand dollars in
coupons"
''LostP" questioned Gertrude.
Yes; just fancy-Bertha's dowry!
It's been stolen, and, what's worse, Won
Arnheim won't be married without it.
He is desolated, but firm; it's the law
of Vaterland."
Francia was just as careless, as in
souciant and smiling, as she talked. of
this loss, as If it had been pleasant bit
of gossip.
Gertrude. with her ready sympathy,
was on the point of asking several ques-
tions, when she noticed the open-eyed
children.
"Oh, 1 forgot. was to ask you to
step down into the library" exclaimed
Erancla; and then, after popping a
sugar plum into the children's faces, she
danced away
Gertrude went down with a feeling
that she was to be called to accoun: Tor
her absence the day before but quite
convinced that her reasons would sat
isfy any right minded person. So she
met Mrs. Chumleigh with a face so Sc
rene that the aforesaid lady was some
what staggered in the belief to which
she had rapidly come within the last
hour.
81 hear-and must say am exceed
ingly annoyed to hear-Miss Winthrop"
the lady began, with extreme acidity.
9 that you absented yourself the whole
OF yesterday from your duties without
leave. Was this premeditated thingP"
= Certainly not" Gertrude began,
lmpn slvelyj and then as rapidly as
possible explained the affair.
do you know what has happened
hereP" asked the lady.
About the couponsP" asked Ger
Tude.
Yes; it's robbery, you know
9 / scarcely understood. am sorry
lit is a great loss, " said the girl.
1t was taken by some one in the
house," Mrs. Chumleigh went on, ex-
citedly. My desk was opened, the
taken and the desk relocked,
the key put in the usual place. and she
fixed a penetrating glance on Gertrude's
face as she spoke, and added, after a
seconds silence: 1T was taken yester-
day after we left the house."
Even then Gertrude listened with a
polite sympathy, without feeling any
direct reference TO herself in the case.
My servants / know Thoroughly"
Mrs. Chumleigh went on. Even Bet
sey, the last conner, has lived with me
before, and cannot suspect them, only
Of course they must all be searched.
You must feel, Mrs. Winthrop, that cir
are somew hat against you--
you leave the house in such an account
able manner"
Gertrude's face flushed.
Shame on You, Mrs. ChumleiRh.