The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1883-04-11

warded for his enterprise. Gold had
showered in upon him in almost fabu-
lous profusion, and now he seriously
thought of returning home. Some
what enfeebled by his late Illness, he
was struck with dismay at again being
prostrated, and to find that his dis
order was the dreaded smallpox. That
he lived through this was only because
| his constitution was so excellent that
even this enemy could not vanquish it.
He did live, but his own mother could
not have known him, so deeply SCARED
and disfigured had he become. With
his first returning strength he set out
for home. Hortensc Montreal were
now the beginning and end of his aspi-
rations. One only thing lnarred his
Joy on the homeward route. Would
Hortense love the SCARED and dis6g-
ured face that looked at him from the
little glass in his cabin? Would she
endure the long, shaggy beard by
which he was enabled TO cover q part
of the deep scars?
He had taken passage in an Amer
lean vessel bound for New York. He
arrived safely, and the next hour saw
him on his way TO Montreal He bent
his course to the neighborhood where
Hortense had proposed going after his
departure. He inquired everywhere
for Madame Valentin. No one knew
her. He himself was not recognized,
even when he haunted the old places
of business. Another name, of course,
was upon the familiar door; and hither
he turned his steps, to see if haply
some old friend of former days might
not have heard of her. Even the
name was unremembered, or pretend
ed to be; and yet the person he asked
was one whom he remembered as plot
ting zealously to be invited to his din
ner parties.
They will remember me when they
find am rich again." said Valentin to
himself, bitterly.
He turned into by-street and saw a
beggar sitting in the sunshine. 1t was
the most cordial and happy face that
had met his gaze since he came back.
The man did not ask for anything
either, nor show him the withered arm
that hung loosely under his coat; and
hopeless as the question seemed, he
thought he would ask it.
AS he dropped money into the ragged
hat that lay on the ground beside the
beggar, he said, carelessly:
"Can you tell me where Madame
Valentin lives now, my man?"
"I used to know her when she lived
in Queen street. Was that the one?"
1t was the street where NJ. Valentin'S
grand house stood.
"She is gone from that house, but
she did not forget old Jack, and many's
the penny she has given me since.
Glad enough was when 1 heard she
was married again"
Marriedp' exclaimed M. Valentin.
Bless you, sir, yes; married to Mr.
Stanbury; but, poor man, he died a
year ago"
"Do you know where she lives
nowP'
Somewhere out of town. | don't
go so far now 1 am so old. / think it
is in Bloomsbury Place, West Terrace"
To paint NJ. Valentins feelings
would be hopeless task. Hortense
married, but still free A painful re-
vulsion took place in his mind, and he
resolved, as all seemed to forget him,
that he would not yet discover him
self.
That night he visited the neighbor-
hood of Hortense, read "Stanbury" on
the door, and managed to secure the
next house, which happened to be
quite empty, and having its garden
adjoining hers. The next day he
furnished it richly, brought number
of servants, bought fine carriage and
horses, and under the name of Richie
he settled down to watch at his leisure
the movements of his neighbor. He
chose all his private rooms on that side
of the house that overlooked hers.
The first time that he saw her was
in the garden. She looked still hand
some, but very sad and pensive. He
wondered if it was for his loss or her
late husbands. He soon became salts
fled that she lived very retired and
quiet life; that she had little company
and kept early hours. 1t was early
spring, but he had plenty of flowers
and fruit in the greenhouse, and he
sent some for her acceptance with Mr..
Riches compliments. Again and
again he repeated the gifts, and each
time with selection that marked a
delicate taste.
Hortense was charmed with her new
neighbor whom she had not seen.
The flowers had been sent several
times when he added to them a re-
quest that he might call on the lady.
She returned favorable answer, and
under the cover of the twilight hour
he found himself in the room with
Hortense. The sound of his voice
filled her with indescribable emotion,
because it resembled that of her first