The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1883-12-05

VIZ hSNCOllCI, DlCh IulOIJ, MlldI
dreadful crime have you been perpetrat-
| ing2"
AZ didn't do nothing bad, she replied
with touch of childish dignity, "but
he, " indicating her brother, stole. He
hain't got no one but me to look after
him, and they were going TO put him in
the refuge, so we run away"
"Poor little creatures" +" said Dick his
pleasant-toned voice full of tender pity.
$50 you thought we were ogres seat 10
capture you"
Meantime the other miners had gath
cred around the children, for the girl
was a child in years, although hard ex-
perience had left little of the child nature
in her.
Pm not scared now,n she announced,
! glancing toward the group of rough men.
" If yell let us stay I'll work for yc.
Can cook an wash, can't |, ClipGo
The youngster screwed up one eye and
nodded his head in an impish sort of
way, which caused the miners to laugh
heartily, and they all expressed desire
TO keep them for awhile at least. Later
on they learned that the children were
orphans. They never saw their father,
bub nuu DcSH lDlll llub ne Idu (lCu Dc-
fore Clip was born. Some three years
before their mother, when on her death
bed, had charged the girl to take care of
her brother, who had proved the torment
of her life, but whom, nevertheless, she
loved passionately.
tried to make him good" she as
serted, with pathetic sigh, "but he'd
steal every chance he'd get"
Her real name, she told Dick Emory,
was Carrita, and her brothers Ignatio,
but they were called Clip and Clipper,
because they were born in Clipper Gap.
Dick Emory was young and handsome,
even in his rough miners dress. There
was something contagious about the
mirth that sparkled in his dark-blue eyes
and spread itself over his frank, boyish
face. His courtesy and goodnature
rendered him general favorite with his
companions; consequently they were not
surprised when Clipper exhibited a
marked preference for his society. She
seemed to anticipate his slightest wish,
and whenever he rewarded her with a
smile crimson flush would steal into
her brown cheeks and her beautiful dark
eyes would glow with pleasure. The
girl was so young and childish in many
ways that no one dreamed she was capable
of loving And she, herself, was too
simple and ignorant to comprehend
the meaning of the JOY his pres
ence afforded her. She only knew
she was happy-happier than ever
beforehand that was enough. Past sor-
rows were forgotten; she was satisfied
infinitely so-with the present, and never
gave thought to the future. Did EN-
: ory know, was he conscious of the love
he had inspired in the breast of this
child-woman No; the sentiment was
shrouded in such exquisite purity that
even he was not aware of its existence.
All womanhood was sacred to him, even
this embryo woman, who was touching
his life with her love, and he treated her
with deferential tenderness, not for the
purpose of winning her regard, but be-
cause he could not do otherwise. But,
alas for the peace of poor, ignorant
little Clipperl Every touch of his hand,
every soft infection of his voice, drew
the meshes closer around her.
: After the children had been in the
camp several months the rainy season set
in, and with it low fever, which at
tackled even, the most robust miner. 1t
was then Clipper proved herself minis
tering angel. She refused to sleep, or
1 even rest, when she fancied any of the
sick men required her care. Emory had
u slight attack, but recovered in a
few days. When all thought the disease
:. had spent itself the faithful young
! nurse was stricken down, but in heI
case it assumed far more serious form
the remedies that had proved beneficial
, to the others gave her no relief. Finally,
1 a physician was summoned from the near.
est town, but his skill was of no avail.
One evening Emory was sitting neal
the campbell upon which the girl was
tossing restlessly.
"Poor little ClipperG" he murmured,
! tenderly stroking the dark hair back
from her burning forehead. You must
try to get well, for l want to take you tC
Frisco next week. am going to tel
Z you a secret, - he went on, hoping to in
: terest her. A slight movement of hel
head indicated her desire to hear it
; "You see, when l came up here, about
j., two years ago, l left one of the sweetest
y little girls in the universe in San Ffan
: cisco. She promised to be my wife as
= :, soon "a"
: A low moan broke from the fever
parched lips.
= 'What is it, dear2 Are you in pain p
! he questioned in a gentle, almost woman
= ly voice. 81 have tired you with my
= nonsensical talk. There" bending ovel
: as mother might over a sick child, "let
= me bathe your head awhile. will keeI
y very quiet and perhaps you can sleep"
. No, tell me all about it, " she pleaded
q laying her hot hand in his. 81 like tC
4 hear ye talkin'."
"There isn't much to TELL" he re
}. sumed, anxious to please her, "except
, that love her better than any one in tho
n whole world and hope to make her my
|. wife next week. y
= URetter'n mePD she questioned. in {