The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1882-09-13

JnlnB OF the k1nd, ne SAID, naStlly
"You know yourself that he is the sou.
Of modesty. 1 am speaking of him as
know he is, from long acquaintance
with his character. From my heart
honor him, Miss Welwyn, and, as your
best friend, might urge you to regard
his suit with favor"
"Your cousin has an ardent cham
pion, Mr.. Thorne," she said, with the
same irigid calmness; 4" but it is quite
impossible for me to marry him. In the
first place I do not love him; and, in
the second, / would not marry any man
who sought me IS his wife only as q
means to securing a fortune to his
friend. Your cousins conduct is most
magnanimous 80 far as you are con-
cerned, Mr.. Thorne; but must decline
the honor he would confer on me-"
upon my soul, Miss Welwyn," Val
said, eagerly, "Stephen would not
have lent himself to such a scheme il
he had not cared foryou. Nothing could
have induced him."
Then, seeing the scornful smile that
played about her lips, his own love
lesped beyond all barriers OF restraint,
and he cried:
"You would not make that tell
against me, toop 1 love youl Hear
me I refused to accede to my uncle's
proposition, though he threatened to
disinherit me if 1 would not marry you.
/ refused but Stephen had seen you.
He knew you as I did not, and he
offered to take my place. Then ! came
here, and without intending it, I
learned to love-to worship you. For
Heavens sake, believe mel What do
care for the money! 1t is you want !
If you will not marry Stephen, will you
marry me2 Ny happiness depends
upon it, for love you with my whole
soul"
She trembled from head to foot, but
she evaded his touch, and said, with
studied indifference:
II am sorry, Mr.. Thorne, but I can
not accept all you say on faith. Confess
yourself; it does seem as though the
money we're behind the persistent pur-
suit of my hand. Luckily, some of my
friends bad heard of your uncle's sin
gular exactions. appreciate the
honor his preference does me but
must decline it. There is no necessity,
however, Of your suffering in con-
sequence. You have done your part,
and your uncle must know that you
can't marry me against my will"
Val stood before her with pale, i'm
passioned face.
"You do me a great wrong" he said,
hoarsely, II love you as truly as ever
a man loved in the whole wide world.
l swear it ! You must believe me, for
this is Gods truth. Tell me-is there
any way y2-there must be a way in
which 1 can prove it to you"
She paused moment. There was
something in his voice and manner
which thrust conviction upon her, and
her whole attitude changed. She
turned toward him with sudden i'm
petuosity.
"Yes," she cried, at will believe
you, Mr.. Thorne, if-if you are willing
to renounce your uncle's fortune for my
sake"
at will do it gladly" he answered,
seizing her hand and covering it with
kisses. "My darling, my sweet little
darlingp
But are you willing, Mr.. Thorne,"
she asked, in a voice that trembled in
spite of her efforts to control it, care
you willing to formally make over to
your cousin your share of your uncle's
money! There is pen and paper. 1
will marry you only upon condition that
you sign such a contract"
Val had seized the pen while she
T. kc l, hoI a.,
and signed this:
"I, Valentine Thorne, do hereby
formally renounce all claim upon the
estate, real or personal, of my uncle,
Harry Thorne, and do make over, un-
conditionally, to my cousin, Stephen r.
Thorne, any bequest or inheritance that
may accrue to me upon the death of the
aforesaid uncle. This act to go in force
upon the day of my marriage with Miss
Lulu Welwyn.
"(Signed) VALENTINE THoRNE."
He put this into her hands, saying:
"This will leave me nothing but my
love to give you"
at is quite enough" she said, softly.
$50 and procure Witness" he said;
Sc want it perfectly legal"
She turned and went toward the
door, but she paused on the threshold.
The next instant, before he knew it,
she had torn the paper in pieces and
thrown it at her feet.
81 believe you, VAL" she cried,
holding out her arms toward him, ST
believe you'll"
He drew her to his heart with face
that shone.
81 will give up anything for you, my
love-" he said, in low tone. "There
is nothing in this world half so dear to
me as yourself, my own little treasure |"
Bnt he gave up nothing, in fact, for
old Mr.. Thorne, whom they agreed not
to inform any better, supposed his du-
tiful nephew was merely acting in ODE
dience to his expressed wish, and q
handsome bundle of stock and bonds
was forthcoming on Vafs wedding day.
81 shall do my counting by myself
naxt time - was Stanhan'R ObRarvation.