The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1888-12-05

prepared to 20 down TO the parlor TO
practice some new songs. But 20 her
dismay she found the door fast locked
and herself prisoner.
That night, while she slept, n plate
containing food was placed in her room,
and with i tiny slip Of paper, bearing
these words
You shall never leave this room until you
yield TO my wishes. MUREL THonNE
To which she returned this character
istic answer:
Without wishing 10 be impertinent, may
say that there is n faw prospect OF my outiv-
ing both Of you. | defy YOU until your
death shall release me MuRWL VANCE.
For four days she bore her captivity
admirably. She leaned from her win
dow and sang snatchos OF gay songs
when she was sure that her aunt was
where she could hear her, and affected
the utmost nonchalanoe when she saw
Mrs. Thorne aud awyer Grant watch
ing her from the lawn. But on the after
noon Of the fifth she began 10 give way,
aud longed with all the intensity Of her
nature for freedom.
| She saw the shining rlyer, free and
unfettercd, whaling between the feath-
/ cry willows that lined its banks, and
| could almost hear IL as IL gurgled over
/ its pebbly bed where the cool woodland
/ shadows lay thickcst; and the words Of
| the bravura she was singing died in an
inarticuatc sob, though her aunt was in
full view, strolling among the flower
beds on the lawn.
At last she wired away her tears and
| clinched her teeth firmly together.
"All's fair in love and war;" she said
resolutely; "and mastery strategy
must accomplish what resistance would
fail to do, even IL it does involve some
| deception
She watched long and anxiously for
Lawyer Grant that night.
Finally, when the shadows Of the
cleaning lay thfckly among the trees,
she saw tall form coming up the path
toward the front door.
She leaned from the window and called
to him in a suppressed voice:
"Go to the kitchen porch and get the
long ladder you will find there. Climb
to the balcony under the window at tho
back of this room; ! wish TO speak 10
you"
A few moments elapsed and Muriel
heard cautious footsteps on the balcony,
and then q light tap on the window.
She gently opened it and stepped out.
Without raising her eyes she began in
a faltering voice:
"Lawycr Grant, when / requested
your presence here | intended to propose
an elopement, trusting that an oppor-
tunity of regaining my freedom might
occur. But | cannot do it. Not even to
regain my liberty will sully my lips
with lie. But, oh, sir, think OF my
cruel punishment aud pity me. Think
of one who has always been free and I'M
tramcled as the very birds condemned TO
this captivity, and if you have human
heart intercede with my aunt. Think"
but sobs and tears finished the prayer she
would have uttered, as she threw herself
at his feet.
The tall form came out of the shadows,
and as the light from the room beyond
fell full upon him Muriel started to her
feet in mute surprise.
1t was a strangers face she gazed
upon-a face which invited confidence,
nevertheless. There was something about
the mischievous gray eyes, clouded Just
now with a slight shade of seriousness
an expression about the finely.cut mouth,
which, though parted at that moment
with a smile of blended amusement aud
pity, seemed to be irresistibly at
tractive.
"Do not distress yourself, beg" said
he, as he gazed upon her agitated
countenance, 'and believe me when l
say that | will willingly afford you all
( the assistance in my power But before
you accept my assistance let me explain
my pre- ence in this hou e. My name is
Eanuar Ross and / hnra IN
night to see Lawyer Grant, relative to
certain unclaimed estates in Connaught,
Ireland. If one Michael Vance, who
came to this country twenty years ago,
since deceased, died without heirs, the
property reverts to me, as next of kin.
l have written to Grant repeatedly, but
failing to get satisfactory reply, came
over to see if could not find more
definite information regarding the heirs
of this Michael Vance, who had the
honor Of being sixteenth cousin to my
step, mother God rest her soul ~
"lIichael VanceW cried Muriei, her
embarrassment lost in surprise. "Why,
that was my fathers name.n
"And his birthplace"
"killaroy, Ireland"
"Accept my congratulation, said
. iNOSSulOlC, lOI 9Ou uIC nOl Ouly lue
most beautiful young lady in America,
but the richest heiress in Ireland. And
! hope, he continued, as he saw the rosy
flush upon her cheek, "that since you
have deprived me of my inheritance, you
will at least grant me the liberty of a
kinsman's kiss. BY my faith, it would
be cheap as the price OF the Rossmore es-
tates even. assure you it is national
custom"
Muriel's refusal was accompanied with
a laugh of mirihful incredulity that was
SO irresistibly contagious that the
blended tones Of merriment reached the
two plotters below.
We pass over madame's incredulous
scorn and final belief, Lawyer Grants
gratitude at escaping the cowhiding he
so richly deserved and the details Of the
courtship between Rossmore aud Muriel
But when the sumachs burned like
dery torches in the woodland glades shG
loved so well, and hickories aud NAPLES
shone golden in the uplands, Muriel, heI
claim to the Rossmore estates duly rec
ognized, became Mrs. Fenner RossmOre.
And am bound as a yeracious chroni.
cler to record the fact that neither party
ever regretted it.