The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1885-12-09

err perhaps" said Aida, half to herself.
'Ab, yes" sighed her father, ''just
there is where the trouble lies. You can
argue with and persuade yourself but it
is so hard to influence another. Frank
your uncle, dear-was a good boy, but
] suppose / was too stiff; and so we
drifted apart. could never laugh, un-
less saw something to laugh at, but
Frank would laugh just for the pleasure
of it."
Perhaps" said Aida, cheerfully,
"you'll be laughing that way yourself
some time"
IF l only could p he moaned. "But
it is no use, DEAR while l have that
ring" turning it restlessly on his finger.
81 don't see how can"
''But the ring is your own papa"
"Do you know, dear" he began,
then checked himself. 81 must be out
of my mind " thought he "to talk like
this to the child"
But Aida, in her own sweet way, un-
derstood and went on. Il know the
ring is yours, yapa, but perhaps you
think, after all, Uncle Frank ought to
have it,
Exactly" said he, with eagerness, led
on by this sweet sympathy. 81 do think
So but Frank wouldn't take it now. If
he only wouldw
/ Here Mrs. Denham came in, and the
conversation was broken of for the
time.
Aida had heard enough, however, to
make up her mind. If Uncle Frank had
the ring her papa would be glad, and
Uncle Frank would like it. STILL her
papa could not give it himself, so some
one else must give it for him, and that
some one should be herself, just as soon
as she could bring it about. She would
not ask for the ring yet; she felt that for
one reason or another, she might
be refused. And beside, she had a
feeling that if she watched for it, a
chance might appear, and all would be
well.
Some time slipped by, however, and
the coveted opportunity did not present
itself.
Her father grew better, and resumed
business once more, but he was less alb
sorbed in it than formerly. He found
good deal of time for Aida, and took
her to ride, and especially to concerts,
the little lady being fond of music. They
were a noticeable pair-the tall, bearded,
stately father, and the delicate child,
with her transparent, vivid beauty.
Many person would turn to look at
them as they passed, and in Mr.. Den
hams place of business visit from the
child was the event of the day. She
took all this attention with a kind of
serene unconsciousness it neither ex-
cited nor troubled her.
One still, cold afternoon in January
Francis Denham made haste home.
"Why, papar cried Aida, running to
meet him. "What brings you home so
early?"
"You, my pet, " he answered, gaily.
'Be quick, there's good girl, and have
jamie wrap you up warm. Mamma lying
down, is she2 Well, you tell her that
am going to take you to hear Wilhelmj,
and will bring you back safe and
sound"
No second bidding was needed. Aida
flew like a fairy, and in a few minutes
the carriage had left them at the Music
Hall. Their seats were on the front row
of the first gallery, about midway. They
were hardly in their places and Alda's
wraps unloosed. when Wilhelmj en-
} tered, and all her attention was centered
on him.
1t was wonderful playing; clear, firm,
mastery, yet with an undercurrent of
passionate life The spirit of music was
there, as we'll as its body.
Her father felt the beauty of the per-
formance, but his strongest emotion,
after all, was pleasure in 'Alda's pleas
ure. Now and then she looked up, long
enough to appropriate his sympathetic
smile, but was silent until the intermis-
sion. Then she chattered joyously, for
| the music had set free her happy little
tongue, and he answered, more gravely;
still, it satisfied her.
Now and then she made an absurd
pretence of looking through his opera
glass, and bowing to some imaginary
acquaintance thus recognized. Next, she
leaned her fairy arm on the balustrade,
to peep down at the people below. Her
glance roamed idly at first, then all at
once grew earnest, for directly beneath
sat her Uncle Frank.
The thought rushed over her; My
chance at last and at this moment her
uncle looked up. His worn, tired, hag-
gard face met full the young and lovely
one Of his little neice Something in her
gaze arrested him; an indescribable ex-
preston of love and JOY and longing.
lie felt no anger toward her-who
could2-andt he smiled family in re-
sponse to the pleading of her eyes.
Aida drew back. The orchestral ac-
compartment of the next concerto began
with a crash, as she pulled her fathers
head nearer TO listen, and whispered,
breathlessly, SNOW, papa, now is the
time. and Uncle Frank will take it!'
No explanation was necessary. Her
father understood. for he too has seen his
brothers upturned face.
He held out his hand and with eager
fingers she pulled of the ring. Once
more she bent over the railing, and once
more, drawn by some secret impulse to-
ward good, her uncle looked up.
He saw two faces above him-the
mans grave, vet entreating, the child's