The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1890-07-30

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"And the Oranges rightful mistress, "
said Constance.
Hooked up in surprise.
'Ithought you bought the place, Tom,
so who could be the rightful mistress but
ConstanceT
"Only leased it, old fellow. The own
er, Lee Harcourt, would not sell, though
he is ashamed to show his face about
here. 1t is my opinion he hopes to
come back and marry Mabel when the
feeling against him has died away"
"Tell me the story, Tom," l asked,
'for that there is a story is evident"
easily told, Lester. Mabel Saunders
is the daughter of an old army comrade
of Colonel Denison, the late owner of the
Grange, and when her parents died, in
her infancy, Colonel Denison and his
wife took the child to their home. She
was not legally adopted, but as they had
no children of their own Mable was
looked upon as their heiress, and the
Colonel's attorney AYERS that he drew up
will four years ago leaving the property
to her. Two years ago Colonel Denison
was brought home dead from the hunt
ing field, and his wife, who had been for
years an invalid, survived the shock less
month. When the Colonels papers
were examined no will was found, and
Lee Harcourt, the next of kin, came into
possession. Many of the Colonel's friends
were not slow to express their belief that
! Harcourt had destroyed the will, as he
had been visiting at the Grange at the
time of the Colonels death, but there
was no proof. He wanted to marry
Mabel, probably to end the gossip, but
she refused his hand, and for more than
year now has been governes' for Mrs.
| Stanton's three unruly boys. Now, those
precocious youngsters are to have vaca-
! ton, so Mabel comes to us. Indeed, we
would gladly give her home, but she is
too proud to accept it. There's the
story, and now for our drive. Here are
| the horses"
A glorious gallop it was in the bracing
! autumnal air, and visit TO the stables
/ followed, so that | did not see Constance
! again till / came down to lunch. Meet
| ing Tom in the hall, we entered the room
! together, to find Constance awaiting us,
and by her side tall straight girl with
the sweetest face l had ever seen.
Tom greeted her warmly, and then
Miss Saunders was introduced to me, ex-
tending her hand with some pleasant re.
mark.
What she said do not know, for on
the hand that was laid in mine glistened
a ruby-a ruby held between two golden
serpent's heads.
l must have seemed strangely embar-
rased for a moment. But | saw Constance
look at me oddly, and with determined
effort put aside all speculations for the
time being.
That evening in the drawing-room, as
Miss Saunders and l were looking over a
book of engravings, l seized the oppor-
tunity to comment upon the ring, saying
l had never seen that design before.
The sweet face grew sad as she an
swered: at was my mothers ring. She
placed it on my finger the day she died. "
BY her mother understood of course
that she meant Mrs. Denison, the only
mother she had ever known, and almost
seemed to hear the words: "Search for
the box in the old we'll" Could there
be any connection between the mis-
sing will and my strange vision
The days went on, every hour bring.
ing me nearer that unhappy day when l
must leave the Grange and Mabel and
return to my office drudgery. l had
often declaimed against sudden attach
ments, had often argued that love should
be a growth, and here were all my
theories completely shattered. At a
glance from Mabels blue eyes flame
had been kindled in my heart that grew
brighter and brighter as we walked or
drove together in the long, pleasant
days. Still, did not mean to ask her
to be my wife, for what had to offer9
Two or three rooms in dingy London
house perhaps. But one evening in the
garden, as the moonlight fell upon her
upraised face, lost my head completely
and avowed my love, to find it frankly
returned. And when told Mabel how
little had to lay at her feet, she drew
such a picture of little hcme in London
that the two or three shabby rooms be-
came the brightest spot on earth.
luul uuh NbuSlduGt MNlt uGllGultu, |,
and indeed l shrewdly suspect that the
whole affair was one of my cousins wife's
match making schemes.
"Ah, Lester" she said, ''if that will
would only turn up you might have a
fortune as well as bride. Oh, yes, as
/ protested that l wanted no fortune.
~ know YOU are disinterested, but you
would still love Mabel, would you not if
she were Tichl"
"By Jove," said Tom, "it is a shame
about that will Let's have another
search for the box"
"The box! What boxl" | cried, jump
ing to my feet in my excitement.
''Why, the tin box the will was in, to-
gether with the papers. Didn't tell
you the whole lot were missingl'
For moment lost sight of Tom and
Constance, and before me saw pallid
hand, with its cleaning ruby, and it
traced the words: "Search for the box
in the old we'll"
turned squarely upon Tom, who was
watching me somewhat curiously.
"Why don't you search the old welll'
| asked abruptly.
"It was Toms turn to jump to his
feet.
gsThe old Ueli What mt that into