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

Her ride in the cars lasted only half
an hour, and she found herself before the |
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 a 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
boris girl had come in to wait on her.
The old woman had sweet, patient
face, and her eyes lighted up as she saw
the young girl in whom all her love and
earthly hopes were centered.
"I feared / had done wrong to send
for you," she said, "but there was a
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-au L
bave-might be taken away from me any
time. What do you think of my having
couple of thousand sent me yesterday
enough to pay off the mortgage, and
leave me five hundred dollarsp"
81 shouldsay you dreamed it, auntie. "
"Look in the top bureau drawer, and
you will see the check. think the sur
prise and Joy of it has been too much
for me. To think Jamie has remembered
me now that his fortune is made in
India! My godson, you know"
Gertrude had the check in her hands,
and viewed it with delight.
"You see, my love, the action to fore
IL - hoo ftrof M onanA
and I could not rest moment till this
business was arranged. You can do ii
for me, and Bess here will keep me com
pauy.
Gertrude was quite relieved to fine
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 ole
friend-a lawyer--to aid her. She haC
the satisfaction of leaving the old lady
calm and comfortable in the evening.
She found it quite dark when sh'
reached the house, and felt symptom
OF relief that the family were not ye
returned. The children, to her surprise
were in bed, state OF affairs which sh'
did not doubt had been accomplished
by bribery.
But the silence and rest were never
theless sweet, and she Shutdown to thu
benming of some interminable ruff1e
with which Mrs. Chumleigh kind.
kept her employed. After time shut
ting OF doors, laughter and cleaning
lights woke up the quiet house, but NJ
one disturbed her.
The next morning Francia swoopet
in Just as lessons began.
"Well, you look serene," she salc
"Do you know there's an earthquak
downstairsP"
ooh, what fibber you are, Franci
Dormer p cried Rod, Indignantly. g.
there was an earthquake it would hov
us all up"
"Weil, look out Bad boys get swal
lowed the first thing" said Francis
This, however, is a financial one
They've lost ten thousand dollars i
coupons"
: ''LostP" questioned Gertrude.
Eyes; just fancy-Bertha's dowry
/ It's been stolen, and, what's worse, Vo
Arnheim won't be married without Il
He is desolated, but firm; it's the la'
, of Vaterland."
Francia was Just SIS careless, as il
souciant and smiling, as she talked. {
|, this loss, as if it had been pleasant b
3 of gossip.
! Gertrude, with her ready sympath,
T. was on the point of asking several que!
. tions, when she noticed the open-eyG
: children.
4 "Oh, forgot. l was to ask you
step down into the library" exclaimt
!. Francia; and then, after popping
! sugar plum into the children's faces, 81
8 danced away
a Gertrude went down with feeliI
that she was to be called to accoun. +
n her absence the day before but qui
r convinced that her reasons would So
e isfy any right minded person. So 81
C mel Mrs. Chumleigh with face so 8
d rene that the aforesaid lady was sou
), what staggered in the belief Ia whit
d she had rapidly come within the Ia
s. hour.
az hear-and must say / am excee
It ingly annoyed to hear-Miss WintnroI
,e the lady began, with extreme acidit
that you absented yourself the WHIT
r, of Yesterday from your duties witlIo
r, leave. Was this II premeditated thing
Certainly not" Gertrude beg,
ID impulsiVely; and then as rapidly
le possible explained the affair.
Sc "Do you know what has happen
W hereP" asked the lady.
er " About the coupOnsP" asked Il
IN trude.
II Yes; it's robbery, you know
a. Il scarcely understood. am sol
le 1t is a great loss" said the girl.
&" 1t was taken by some one in
he house." Mrs Chumleigh went on,
ed citedly. my desk was opened,
We coupons taken and the desk relock
nd the key put in the usual place" and /
OF fixed penetrating glance on GertruC
face as she spoke, and added, after
y. seconds silence: 1T was taken vest
IL day after we left the house."
ur Even then Gertrude listened will
le. polite sympathy, without feeling &
lr- direct reference TO herself in the case.
rs. My servants / know thorough
Mrs. Chumleigh went on. Even L
irl sey the last conner, has lived with
do before, and cannot suspect them, o
of course they must all be search
in You must feel, Mrs. Winthrop, that