The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1886-07-28

| sun VIII, Intent on literary career, has
gone to London. John has remained in
the village.
Miss Dulcie Sykes, now a lady of the
mature age of twenty eight, is sitting in
a splendid drawing-room in Cromwell
koad, Kensington. But these splendid
| drawing-rooms are little better than
splendid prisons for many young ladies'
Dulcie had been sitting here for the
best part of three days, for her aunt
wanted the carriage, and it was "not
proper" for young lady to go out
alone.
She was envying with all her heart
the middle-class girls who walked along
the causeway quite free and happily in
hanson pull up at the door, and fine
looking man of about thirty-five get out
Some gentleman to see her uncle, no
doubt; but in minute OF two the foot
man threw open the drawing-room door
and announced 'Mr. Gossi"
She came forward, bowed, and said
she was sorry neither her uncle nor aunt
was at home; then stopped perplexed.
There was something oddly familiar
about him.
II am afraid you don't remember me,
Miss Dulcie, " he said; ''it is long time
since you were at Hepburn"
"Surely-surely you are not John
Goss-I mean Mr.. Goss2" hastily correct
ing herself. He looked such gentle
mani
He laughed pleasantly. 81 am glad
you remember me, Miss Dulce"
kNA nd Glad 6ol;r,hfo1 10
see you, Mr.. Goss. am longing to hear
some news of dear old Hepburn. Since
my father died l seem to have been quite
cut off from it; my brother is shocking
correspondent. How is everybody, and
what is all the place likei"
''Well, am sorry to say-at least, of
course, am not exactly sorry either-but
the place is not nearly so opretty as it used
to be, and it is my fault but I really
couldn't help it." !
"You have an immense mandatory, I
hear"
"Well, yes, 1t Is d good size and I
have had to build a great many work
mems cottages; in fact, the place is quite
town"
81 hear it is a beautifully clean and
orderly town, too, and that you do a
great deal of good, Mr.. Goss," with
kindly smile. She felt she had been a
little hard on him.
"Good2 Oh, dear no, you are quite
mistaken OF course, built the schools
and the workmen's club, and the cottage
hospital; but they were almost matters
of necessity" He said it in all simplicity.
81 wish 1 lived down at the Hall
again; might do something for your
workpcople, even If it was only the
hackneyed round of clothing clubs and
mothers meetings"
'Do you really wish to live at the
Hail. Miss Dulciel l am so glad; that
is just what came about"
'Tndeedw Privately, she had rather
wondered what he had come for, but
she had been so dull the visit was an
agreeable interruption; and John was
not the sort of man she could, even if she
had wished, either snub or patronize.
81 don't know whether you are aware
that-that-I bought the old Hall2"
"You bought it, Mr.. Goss2" Ger
tainly there was a touch of hauteur. She
was shocked, The prejudices of q life
are not overcome In half an hour.
at was merely as an investment, Miss
Dulcie, / assure you. shouldn't think
of living there myself-at least, not at
present. What should like better than
anything would be for you to take the
place. l am very old-fashioned in some
things. like old families better than
do new ones"
'"Thank you all the same, but could
not possibly afford it. 1t is quite out of
the question"
''But the rent or purchase money,
whichever you preferred, would not be
considered at all. 1t could stand over
indefinitely, and there is plenty of furni-
ture there"
"You are exceedingly kind to give me
the first refusal, and l would take it
gladly if could; but it is quite out of
my power"
John was silent. He leant forward, |
biting his lip, and there was a line be-
tween his eyes as he stared hard at the |
carpet. 1t was a crucial moment in his
life, and he knew It. He had been work |
ing all these years with one object in |
view; at first faint far-off star, lately |
this morning apparently almost |
within reach; aud now, unless he could |
bridge over the difficulty of access, he
would be baf1led after all
Dulcie little knew what was going on
in his mind.
II suppose you wouldn't care about
letting it just for the summer, Mr. Goss!"
she said, calmly.
"Ahp-and the thought revived him
-"she's coming after all.
"Ohl yes, would with pleasure if
you would like to come for short time"
al have no doubt could persuade my
uncle to take it for three months, and l
should very much like it myself.
"And all your old tenants-every one
about the place-will be delighted to see
you again"
''You must introduce me to your wife,
Mr.. Goss."
''Oh. Miss Dulciem in a pained tone