The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1881-12-07

She took up her life on the hill as II
born to the place, and, to the astonish-
ment of every one, Miss Diantha ac-
cepted the change with no break in the
immovable silence. But when the select
men appeared and appealed to her to
end the scandal and go in person for |
the sister, who had banished herself in |
the hope of bringing about peace, she |
listened till even old Lamson had said |
his last word, and then, having written fer
few moments, laid the slate on the
table and left the room.
"She's got dumb devil" said' Dea-
con Piper, as he read slowly:
"'Chloe has made ber own bed, and
she can lie in it. She chose to go, and
she can stay. II you will not have her
any other way, L will pay her board
Miss Althea went to the town farm
but once, fury of anger possessing
her as she crossed the wretched thresh-
old, and venting itself in words that
brought terror to every one within hear
ing distance. Underneath the storm
hurt feeling and affection really lay, but
Chloe had passed beyond any power of
interpreting the perverse and tumul-
tuous manifestation. She lay back in
her chair with closed eyes, her patient
face little more patient, and slow
tears falling one by one.
"When Diantha comes for me, I'll
90 back" was all she would say, and
Miss Althea, worn out with her own
vehemence, went unwillingly away.
The winter went by, Miss Althea
waiting upon Lucinda "by inches," as
the neighbors said, as if in this way to
atone for past lack toward Ohloe. The
reluctant New England spring came
slowly on, and in the "Devirs Gully"
by the mill, faint green showed here
and there between the lingering drifts.
The road to the town farm, seldom used,
had been almost impossible, but Hiram
at intervals had brought word that
"Miss Chloe was about the same, fur's
he could see, but maybe her own folks
could tell better" The hint passed
without notice till one evening In early
April, when messenger rode swiftly
up Breakneck and burst into the house
where the three sat by the dim lamp,
Lucinda keeping up her monotonous
flow of words, the two sisters silent.
"She's dyin'," he said. "The doc
tors said she might live till you got
there"
"Who"
Miss Althea had risen, and stood now,
fierce and rigid, clutching the fright
ened boy as she spoke.
"Miss Templeton," he said, strug-
Cling away. "Hiram told me to get
you team"
"Run, then," Miss Althea screamed.
4" The fastest Wallis got. Tell him to
be quick"
Lucinda burst into loud crying.
"Be still, you fool p rang out Miss
Diantha's voice, with it's old sharp com
mand. "I'm goin' on the hoss," ant
snatching her hood she ran to the
gate, climbed from the long-disuseG
horse block to the horses back, ant
with dangling stirrups and Tapping
rein she held her place by sheer will, al
the frightened animal tore down the
7 hill and through the village street, still
D.. as speed slackened, urging him on owe
, the four miles between her and th'
q chance of speech. Up hill and down
q through thick wood and between low
y meadows, the rush of the swollen rive
drowned in the clatter of hoofs, and a
n last the faint, twinkling lights of th'
:, farm, The horse stood with droopinI
: head and streaming fanks as she sli(
r from his back, and pushing aside tn
!. startled and curious group about tn
y door went up the stairs and towart
/ the room to which Hiram pointed
d She passed swiftly in, the doctor ant
l. attendant were motioned out by han,
& so imperative that none could gainsa
>, it, and Diantha, boiling the door, turne
d to the bed, and after one look at tn
motionless form upon it, fell on he
Ie knees and buried her face in the cover
ID let
" ST thought you'd feel bad, Dianthy,
I Miss Chloe. said, the words comm
,e family, and as if from some remote dii
tance. Ct thought you'd come, an
a. held out an waited. There isn't an
ID time now, but, Dianthy, you must prom
N ise me one thing. You must go hom
Or and let by-gones be by-gones. 1 wal
h you to be good to Althea."
ID Miss Diantha raised her face, whit
q, and set, as if death had touched he
r too. She lifted her hand as she knelt
"Don't, Dianthy - don't !" Chic
RS cried, trying to rise.
?" "Before you that I've killed, / swel
le it." said Miss Diantha, solemnly. '1'N
III held my tongue for spite, an I'll hol
n, it now for punishment. The last wol
d; 1 say to livin' soul l say to you nov
e. Chloe Templeton."
"Oh, Dianthy, don't" walled Mi
I'd Chloe, falling back on her pillow, en'
a. ing with this last appeal the long e.
treaty of her life. When Miss Alth'
er entered with the doctor, the elder sist
I'd sat motionless and silent by the bed.
IS silence she pointed to Miss Althea
ne the one to make arrangements, al
at waited till nothing further remained
as be done. In silence she rode home, al
re shut herself into her own room, al
d. there she remained till the hour for Il
es FnDaraI sarvicas hald in the old ehur,