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

shaded path that led to the highway, she
prepared to go down to the parlor to
practice some new songs. But to her
dismay she found the door fast locked
and herself prisoner.
That night, while she slept, a plate
containing food was placed in her room,
and with it a tiny slip Of paper, bearing
these words:
You shall never leave this room until you
yield to my wishes. MURIEL THoRNE
To which she returned this character
istic answer
Without wishing to be impertinent, may
say that there is fair prospect OF my outliv-
ing both of you. / defy you, until your
death shall release me MURIEL VANCE.
For four days she bore her captivity
admirably. She leaned from her win
dow and sang snatches of gay songs
when she was sure that her aunt was
where she could hear her, and affected
the utmost nonchalance when she saw
Mrs. Thorne and awyer Grant watch
ing her from the lawn. But on the after
noon of the fifth she began to give way,
and longed with ali the intensity of her
nature for freedom.
She saw the shining river, free and
unfettered, winding between the feath-
cry willows that lined its banks, and
could almost hear it as it gurgled over
its pebbly bed where the cool woodland
shadows lay thickest; and the words of
the bravura she was singing died in an
inarticulate sob, though her aunt was in
full view, strolling among the flower
beds on the lawn.
At last she wiped away her tears and
clinched her teeth firmly together.
"All's fair in love and war;" she said
resolutely; ''and a mastery strategy
must accomplish what resistance would
fail to do, even if 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 trses,
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 the
back of this room; wish to speak to
you"
A few moments elapsed and Muriel
heard cautious footsteps on Ibe balcony,
and then a light tap On the w,udow.
She gently opened it and stepped out.
Without raising her cJes sae began "a
a faltering voice;
"Lawyer Grant, when ! requested
your presence here intended to nyopose
an elopement, trusting that an oppor-
tunity of regaining my freedom might
occur. But cannot do it. Not even tC
regain my liberty will sully my lips
with lie But, oh, sir, think of my
of one who has always been free and I'M
trameled 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 hel
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 slight shade of seriousness
an expression about the fnely.cut mouth,
which, though parted at that moment
with smile of blended amusement and
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
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 g. My name is
Fenner Rossmore and | came here to-
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
have written to Grant repeatedly, but
( failing to get a satisfactory reply, came
! over to see if could not find more
definite information regarding the heirs
I of this Michael Vance, who had the
honor OF being sixteenth cousin to my
step mother God rest her soull'
"AIiehael VanceW cried Murief, hel
embarrassment lost in surprise. "Why,
! that was my fathers nancy
"And his birthplace"
"Killaroy, Ireland.
"Accept my congratulation," sai6
Rossmore; ''for you are not only the
most beautiful young lady in America
but the richest heiress in Ireland. And
! I hope, he continued, as he saw the rosy
flush upon her cheek, "that since yor
have deprived me of my inheritance, you
/ will at least grant me the liberty of &
kinsman's kiss. By my faith, it would
be cheap as the price OF the Rossmore es
tates even. assure you it is nationa
/ custom"
Murie's refusal was accompanied witt
a laugh of mirthful incredulity that wa!
so irresistibly contagious that thu
blended tones of merriment reached thu
two plotters below.
We pass over madame's increduloul
scorn and final belief, Lawyer Grant,
gratitude at escaping the cowhiding h,
so richly deserved and the details of tn
courtship between Rossmore and Muriel
But when the sumachs burned likt
fiery torches in the woodland glades sh
loved so we'll, and hickories aud maple
shone golden in the uplands, Muriel, he
claim TO the Rossmore estates duly rec
ognized, became Mrs. Fenner Rossmore
And am bound as a veracious chroni
cler to record the fact that neither part
ever regretted it.