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

| the newcomer DICK Emory, "What
dreadful crime have you been perpetrat-
ing9"
~ didn't do nothing bad, a" she replied
with a touch of childish dignity, "but
he, " indicating her brother, "stole. He
haint 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, {" eaid Dick, his
pleasant toned voice full of tender pity.
so you thought we were ogres sent 10
capture you"
Meantime the other miners had gath
cred around the children, for the girl
was child in years, although hard ex-
perience had left little of the child nature
in her.
Pm not scared now, y she announced,
| glancing toward the group of rough men.
IF yen let us stay III work for ye
Can cook an wash, can't /, Clip9"
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,
but had been told that he had died be-
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, shut 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 good-nature
rendered him general favorite with his
companions; consequently they were not
surprised when Clipper exhibited
marked preference for his society. She
seemed to anticipate his slightest wish,
and whenever he rewarded her with
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
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 Clipper 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 a low fever, which at
tackled even, the most robust miner. 1t
was then Clipper proved herself a minis
tering angel. She refused to sleep, or
even rest, when she fancied any of the
sick men required her care. Emory had
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 her
case it assumed far more serious form
the remedies that had proved beneficial
to the others gave her no relief. Finally,
physician was summoned from the near
est town, but his skill was of no avail.
One evening Emory was sitting near
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 we'll, for want to take you to
Frisco next week / am going to tell
you a secret he went on, hoping to in
/. terest her. A slight movement of her
head indicated her desire to hear it.
"'You see, when came up here, about
, two years ago, left one of the sweetest
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 pain2''
! he questioned in gentle, almost woman
, ly voice. 81 have tired you with my
: nonsensical talk. There" bending over
as mother might over a sick child, "let
! me bathe your head awhile. will keep
! very quiet and perhaps you can sleep"
! No, tell me all about it, " she pleaded,
I I laying her hot hand in his. ~ like to
! hear ye talkin'."
"There isn't much to ten,n he re.
sumed, anxious to please her, "except
that love her better than any one in the
a whole world and hope to make her my
wife next week