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


My son, what have you to do with
this young person"
Il have this to do with her." he
cried, impetuously. "T wish to make
her my wife, if she can care enough for
me-"
my Godi" exclaimed Mrs. Chum-
leigh, falling back in half faint.
Nice time for your declaration, :"
cried francia Dormer, who had heard
these words, and now hurried in with
ressoratives, her own face ashen pale,
but still with malicious gleam in the
eyes; "at all events you won't be able
TO get recommendation for your wife
from her last placel"
By this ii re Won Arnheim had come
in, and Bertha. To Gertrude the room
seemed full of staring, talking people.
She stood among them like q queen,
tall, erect, with undaunted eye, but a
fierce pain at her heart
Mrs. Chumleigh opened her eyes to
say, tragically;
"Search her things ~ and then sank
away again.
Won Arnheim, with true politeness,
said:
''It will not be veil to suspicioned
someone's NIT not no grounds to stand
on" which was very lucid, but not
much calculated to console Gertrude
on the whole. Bertha sat crying in one
corner-husband and fortune and coro-
net all to disappear like the baseless
fabric of vision. Oh, it was too
much
Won Arnheim, who was really not
mercenary, strOve to comfort her.
Nryo1 fD hn
unchallenged, and sat down in the
empty room. The children had been
spirited away somewhere-the whole
house was in commotion.
Erlc's words, SO strangely sweet,
seemed somehow to span this sudden
storm like a rainbow-but never, never
would she listen to him while there was
q shadow on her good name.
1t was not hard to search the meager
contents of Gertrude's trunk but every
thing was tumbled out in a summary
way, pockets examined, even Innings
ripped, and she heard some one say,
" Wot's the use, she went out yester-
day." with feeling of desperate ex-
ASPIRATION.
She laid back her clothes, all of them,
Sadly, for there was nothing now to do
but to 60. She strapped her trunk her.
self, and did not wait for leave taking.
Only she had kindly feeling for the
imps, after all, and looked about for
them as she went downstairs.
She left also note for Mrs. Chnm-
leigh, merely giving her address. Then
with such feeling of desolation as had
never yet wrung her young heart, she
started out.
The childl en- were not about; but
when she reached the corner Rod darted
out at her. His face was smeared and
tear-stained.
They say you're goin' away" he
cried out, land wasn't 10 see you again !;
but I've cheated 'em bully. ] want to
give you this valentine. To-day's the
fourteenth, you see, and like you bet
ter than any other girl know. fixed
it yesterday-painted it all myself,
there's two hearts on a meat skewar and
an altar and bride all right, you'll
see."
"Thank you, Rod" cried Gertrude,
with sob in her throat as she stopped
to give the boy a kiss. ' do not ex-
pect any other valentine"
And she smiled through the tears
that dimmed her eyes as she looked at
the huge envelope with its official-lo look
ing seals,to which Rod had confided his
treasure.
A moment after a quick step came be-
hind her. Then some one took the lit
tie travelling bag out of her hand, and,
looking up, she saw a friendly hand
some face looking down at her reproach-
fully.
,'Going without one word for meP'
cried Eric.
And from that moment halt her bur.
den seemed lifted. She foYnd herself
actually smiling as she reached her
aunt's door.
"What is that billet-doux you are
carrying so carefullyP" exclaimed Eric,
as he caught sight ofthe huge envelope.
My valentine" }" answered Gertrude.
Then a moment after she added: " Rods
work. ;"
They stood in the little parlor, then,
by the window, as the young girl turned
over the epistle, and finally opened it
with "A half-hysterical laugh. Such a
Misunderstanding couple as Rod had
executed; but he had gilded a ring on
the brides finger which obliterated her
hand, and had also cable of the same
FURNISHED metal on her neck.
=" BY Jove! what's thisp" exclaimed
Etlc, SOlDiuA JIG paper 40 you SEE
what the rascal has tieo on with blue
ribbon for a fancy cover-my mothers
coupons. by all that's jollyp
Gertrude stared in speechless sur
prise.
The child had nicked a whole sheet
of coupons and used them as a cover for
his chef d'euvre.
The neat little squares and numbers
had evidently taKen his fancy. The
were only a part, to be sure, but he
could probably give an account of the
rest. OF course he had ro idea that the
beautiful paper he hail found in his
mothers desk was so valuable.
Gertrude gazed at it moment, and
then Joined in the laugh.
Sue looked up to s9e Aunt Rachel in
the doorway regardip them with mild
wonder.
my first valentiDf,lp she exclaimed,
In some embarrassment.
But Eric told the story for her, and
added his own conclusion. He was his
own master. free 10 choose where he
would; ard IN th's happiness that fol-
lowed Gertrude forgot the misery of the