The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1882-04-26

his heels, Wonderp Well, suppose
l must see what the fellow wants; one
of those genteel sponges come to suck
up as many pounds as I'll give to their
deuced charities" he muttered. By
which speech it is fair to conclude that
Sir Gresham had been sponged in this
way more than once.
But when Homer, who was admiring
the view from the drawing-room win
dow, turned and bowed as the barcnet
approached, Sir Gresham perceived
nothing of the suppliant about him and
began to doubt whether this elegant
stranger did mean to make him q few
pounds the poorer by his visit. He
came forward and requested his visitor
to be seated. Ashton spoke of the
beauty of the country and Sir Gresham
answered him, but at the moment curl
osity was evidently his ruling passion.
You are wondering why L came"
said Homer. Certainly it was not to
tell you, what everybody knows, that
this is the finest situation about here.
But have in my possession part of an
ornament which, believe, belongs to
Miss Laud"
"Youl What is it ?"
Ashton bowed and smiled also, as
he handed the other his discovery of
the night but one before. "Does it be.
long to your daughter" he said.
But Sir Gresham was too bewildered
to answer him.
"ThatP" he cried. "Good heavens
that? Where did you find it? It's a
clew."
GA clew to what?" cried Homer,
eagerly. He felt on the brink of dis
covering how lady's ornament could
come in so strange place.
Bnt Sir Gresham was too excited by
some suggestion awakened by the sight
of the stone to have an idea of trying
to satisfy any curiosity but his own.
"Where did you find itP' he re-
peated.
sis it your daughters ?" returned
Homer.
"Yes, it must be hers" and remem-
bering at last to thank the young man
for returning it, he stood with the stone
in his hand waiting impatiently for a
full account of its recovery.
"Does Sir Gresham Laud suppose
that I came here for the purpose of
telling a midnight adventure to him ?"
thought Homer, as look of amusement
fitted across his face. eff you will be
so kind" he answered, suavely, Gas to
ask Miss Laud if she will do me the
favor to identify her ornament, I shall
be most happy to tell you, and her il
she cares to know, how came by it."
Sir Gresham hesitated only an in
stant. Assuredly," he said, and sent
for his daughter.
The young mans heart beat faster at
the sound of light steps behind him.
Suppose Violet were plain and heavy
looking, yet suppose-he turned hast
lily, but not too soon for the beautiful
face that was coming toward him.
"She was named for her eyes," thought
Homer; and there was something else
he thought, too, that could no more
than this be spoken at the moment.
She greeted him with simplicity that
charmed him; but when she saw the
medallion in her fathers hand she cried:
"Oh, papa, my bracelet-clasp; where
did you get it A? Have they found out
| the robbers /"
Homer's eyes opened wide at her
words.
"RobbersP'' he repeated. "That's it,
then? Perhaps really did hear and
see something after ALL" And after a
moment in which three people stood
facing each other with looks of inquiry
he began an account of his expedition
to the ruin. He was truthful in every
detail, yet the story sounded remark
ably we'll as he told it, watching Vio-
let's face and seeing Il aver and
grow pale in imagining the blackness
of the old cellars. If she would but
Glove him for the dangers he had
passed ;" he knew nothing of wars to
be sure. except of personal struggles
with misfortune, ont of place TO be told
here, yet having left their mark upon
him in q consciousness Of power to dare
and conquer adverse circumstances.
"I've no doubt they carried their
booty there" exclaimed Sir Gresham
his thoughts still in the ruins an infinite
distance behind the young mar s winged
fancy and supplementing the narrative
which Ashton had just finished. While
Violet was listening to her fathers &C
count of daring burglary committed
the winter before while the family were
in the house, Ashton had an opportun
ity to study her face more critically, or
rather, more admiringly. 1t was posi-
BILE he did not drop all the admiration
out of his expression as from time t.
time she turned to him to explain mor'
fully something that her father wa
saying.
"I've no doubt the villains bring
their booty miles to hide it in the ruin,
said Sir Gresham. "This medallion
was the clasp of heavy gold bracelet
1t was given to my daughter by a frien'
and she is much obliged to you, an
sure, for finding it"
Indeed 1 am" said Violet, colorini
little as she spoke.
E" 1t is I who am under obligation Il
fate" answered Homer; 1 have foun,
something that Miss Laud values"