The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1889-05-15

denly turning toward me, he said;
"Why do you not marry9"
laughed and replied:
"Because l have not cared to do so.
And youl
"Ah, II am too old What do you
think of Suzannel
"She is one of the most beautiful and
fascinating girls have ever met"
every well, wish you to marry her. !"
looked him full in the eyes. lie was
confused.
"That is not true" / said. "You
love her."
He laughed with forced laugh as he
replied:
"Nonsense my ward! Why, l am
twenty-three years older than shel l
would be mad to think OF marrying her. "
81 do not know whether or not you
are mad, but know, my dear uncle, that
you are trying to deceive yourself"
at is not so," he answered 'If !
thought it was generally supposed that
wished to marry her would leave this
place at once. "
"Ah, well, let us say no more about
it," said.
During breakfast I observed my uncle
and Suzanne. Her manner toward him
was winsome and attentive, while he was
reserved and severe.
After breakfast, as the morning was
beautiful, we all went into the garden.
As we were leaving the house l told Su-
zanne that wanted few words with her,
and we walked apart from the others.
She became Il little pale as she ex-
claimed:
"Ahl already"
perceived that my uncle was casting
q dark loelSs toward us. 1t was Suzanne
Ewho first spoke.
"My guardian, she said, ''told me of
his plans yesterday. / do not know
whether or not you agree with him; but,
before you tell me, wish to say that l
shall only marry man whom love, and
| do not love you"
81 thank you for your frankness," /
replied. 81 do not, however, agree with
my uncle, and / approve of your senti-
ments. | cannot understand why he
should be so anxious for us to marry"
at is not difficult TO understand" =" she
answered. "He wishes to rid himself of
a troublesome ward, as he himself desires
to marry. He evidently loves some
woman. But why doesn't he marry and
leave me by myself2 l will not trouble
him. / can remain as a teacher in the
convent where l am studying. That is
my choice"
A tear rolled down her soft check.
"You would not like to see him mar
riedl" l said.
81" she exclaimed. "It would be
nothing
She did not finish the sentence; a sob
choked her. Then, suddenly turning
from me, she ran down into the garden,
leaving me standing alone.
"How she loves himl" / exclaimed.
That evening l weht to my uncle's
chamber and related the scene TO him.
He was pale as a spectre.
"You have done bad thing, he said.
"How so, since have revealed you to
each other and shown you how to be
happyl'
"IIappym exclaimed my uncle. az
tell you that l would be a monster if /
should marry Suzanne!n
| was dumbfoundcd. He made me
promise that Suzanne should never know
what he was about to reveal to me. /
felt that l was growing as pale as my
uncle.
"Do You know how the father of
Suzanne dicdl" he asked. ''Do you
know that!n
His emotion was terrible to see he
trembled like leaf.
81 killed him. Do you hear? He was
killed, and l was his slayer. And l love
his daughter with passion that is kill
ing me-that is my horrible expiation-
OH yes, / know the duel was fair. l
challenged him. lie was an old wran-
gler, jealous and cnvious He was ill
favored, disagreeable and had no chance
of advancement. / was handsome, popu-
lar, and rose rapidly in the service;
was enyied; | was Fortunes favorite.
lie insultcd me. Fortunes favorite to
the last, killed him. Fortunes favorite
to the last, | love his daughter and she
loves me. But we cannot join hands over
the dead body of her father. On his
dcath-bed he called me to him and gave
me his written testament in which he
made me the guardian of his daughter,
who was henccforth alone in the world
and as he gave il TO me he said
you have killed the father; You
will watch over the child. 30