The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1885-05-27

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you"
More kisses that said as plainly as
words could, "It was because | love you
and can't bear to see you so unhappy,
but if it hurts you won't do it any
more"
Then he pitched into his breakfast
with as savage earnestness as though he
thought he was half-starved cannibal
and his food was the luckless but we'll
cooked Harding.
II.
"I'll bet it's an April foolp" said
George. at the sound of an unusually
loud ring at the front door 1t was in
reality boy with large official envel-
ope, addressed to Mrs. Morris, who sim
ply said he was told there was no answer
to wait for.
Nervously Mrs. Morris-tore it open, as
some people have way OF doing with
their kilograms.
at is the mortgagel" she cried. as she
undid the formidable document. 1t was
not her familiarity with law papers that
enabled her to so promptly identify it;
every fold and crease and blot of this
mortgage she knew by long and sad
acquaintance.
'Are you sure 'tisn't an April fool,
mammie2" asked George, suspiciously.
Neither she nor his mother had, from
past experience any reason to expect any
favors from Harding or the rich property
owner he represented. Here was the
mortgage in her hands-there could be
no doubt of that-a small piece of paper.
after all, TO have been such dead
weight on the tiny home and the three
that were in it. Careful examination
failed to discover any scrap of letter or
word of explanation accompanying it.
ut is too good to be true" sighed the
widow, still dazcd by the event, "but
people are sometimes better than we
give them credit for. I've already more
than paid the original amount of money
which your poor father was obliged to
raise, when the interest is counted in,
and they may have been moved to do
kindly, generous act, although" she
added, 81 would as soon look for sun
shine in coal hole. If any one has been
really good it is not Mr.. Harding, am
sure of that much; it must have bee n
the man to whom the money really be-
longed and for whom he works"
"If it amt some kind of mean
April fool I'll eat my hat, said George,
with greater force than elegance, who
would not believe the evidence of his own
eyes, when that evidence was in Hard
ing's favor.
Presently that person himself made his
appearance. He had the air of one who
had earned a warm welcome and ex-
pected to receive it. Between gratitude
and doubt the widow smiled, and her
manner was so much more friendly than
ever before that Harding fattered him
self that he had done very clever thing
indeed.
eyes, my dear Mrs. Morris, I sent on
the mortgage ahead of me because l
thought you would like to get it into
your own hands at last"
'Indeed, l am very glad if all my
trouble with it is finally at an end" F."
81 fully appreciated that fact, and
wished to relieve you of all annoyance as
soon as possible" with plausible, self
satisfied look. 'But felt so sure your
own good sense would urge you to agree
kindly to my proposition, that at last
you would CO ms mt to make me the hap
piest of men, that did not hesitate to
let you see with what perfect confidence
was ready to carry out my part of the
contract to relieve you of all financial
troubles"
"Mr. Hardingl" was all she could say
in her indignant surprise.
perhaps have been too hasty-"
81 am sorry you have put me to the
disagreeable necessity of repeating what
1 thought l had said plainly enough be-
fore; l would rather give up this little
home of ours and take my children l
know not where than to accept any home
you could provide"
Rising as she spoke, with very be-
coming colorin her cheeks, she indicated
that the interview was at an end.
Then, madam" he replied, also ris-
ing, sit is my painful duty TO inform you
that the alternative of your own selection
must be enforced. If you will please to
notice this mortgage still lacks my sig
nature as agent with power of attorney.
ThOt signature l shall be pleased to atfix
on the payment of the balance due
thirty seven dollars and fifty cents"
"But, l thought-"stammered the
widow.
''You thought I was fool enough to
release you from the obligations of this
document before knew you were ready
to marry met Hardly. Have yon the
$37 so handyl No4 1 thought not.
Then, madam, shall foreclose without
any further delay, and"
"Count that, will you, and see if there
isn't $37. so there"
1t was George who had heard enough
of the conversation to find out that the
mortgage was not paid off, after all, and
slipping out of the room had returned
a minute later with small box full of
silver and copper, which he slapped
down rather unceremoniously on the
the table in front of Harding. Which
was the more surprised, the mother or
the lawyer, it would be quite impossible
to tell.
whats all this meanl" demanded
Harding with a scowl.
ssNeVer Won mind what all this means