The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1890-07-23


erected by the young architect himself,
who was already man well-to-do in the
world. They had three children, and
were as happy as people can reasonably
expect to be.
The only cause they had for any un-
happiness was the unhappiness of another
Julia. She had married man sup
posed to be very wealthy, had sent to
Paris for her trousseau, and there had
been grand wedding. But her hus-
band had turned out to be scamp, and
after getting all he could out of his
father-in-law, beside forging his name to
note for large amount of money, had
disappeared.
Edith had fulfilled James prophecy aud
married poor man for love-a man of
good family, but feeble character, whom
her father had given place in his mer-
camille establishment, though he was ill
fitted for it.
While Jane had lived in modest cot
tage, neither her sister nor mother had
thought it incumbent on them to keep up
those intimate relations with her and her
family which the natural ties of close
kinship would have seemed to demand.
But she, having regard to her filial duty,
had not let that influence her own con-
duct, visiting her old home as frequently
as circumstances permitted, though she
could not help feeling that she was not
as welcome as she should have been. Her
marriage-low marriage her sisters chose
to consider it-had not only shut her out
of the charmed circle of fashion, but
seemed to have affected her standing in
the family circle as we'll
Her mother had treated her with sort
of condescending affection, but her
fathers manner to her had never changed
The quiet, undemonstrative old man had
seemed to look upon her frequent ap-
pearance apiong them as a matter of
course, often returning her calls, taking
tea with her and her husband, and stay
ing sometimes until quite late talking
with them, so that Jane was wont to won
der if he ever really did disapprove of her
marriage with John Ward.
The coolness-if it may be so called
on the part of the female members of her
family had, in measure, disappeared
as Wards worldly circumstances had i'm.
proved, though neither James mother
nor sisters could entirely get. over the
fact that his father had been brick ma
son. When the two girls were married
they affected to look upon him as the
inferior of their own husbands, though
one was worthless scamp and the other
poor, characterless fellow, who had spent
the greater portion of his life thus far
in lounging about and looking hand
some for the delectation of just such
silly women as they were.
One evening John and his wife were
sitting alone, he looking over some draw
ings and she sewing, while they talked
together. 1t was late; the little ones had
long been in bed, and they were some
what surprised to hear the tinkle of the
door bell. John answered the summons
himself, and returned to the sitting room
accompanied by Mr.. Lewis.
SIT is rather late" said the old gentle
man, kissing his daughter-an unusual
demonstration of affection on his part
''but was passing and thought would
drop in for few minutes"
ave are always glad to have you
come, papa" said Jane; ''and l only
wish we lived near enough to see you
every day."
Mr.. Lewis was silent for few min
utes, and then he asked rather abruptly:
''Isn't that cottage over on the corner of
the street for rent2" indicating the direc-
tion of the corner in question with his
thumb.
"Yes, Mr.. Lewis" said Ward, looking
curiously at his guest; sit has been for
rent several months. Nobody seems to
care to occupy it, 1t is in such dilapi-
dated condition"
"But it could be repaired and made
habitable."
"Of courss-at considerable expense. "
"What interest can an old house like
that have for you, papa2" asked Jane.
~ was just thinking it might be made
a very pleasant home for people of mod
crate means" replied Mr.. Lewis. ''It's
pity it has been allowed to go to rack.
This place belongs to you, John, doesn't
it?"
"Yes," replied Ward. 81 bought the
lot with the first money that l earned
over and above my expenses. But
thought you knew it belonged to me
us, should say; for what is mine is
James, and what is hers is mine. There
is no division of interests with us-is
there, janet"
"No, indeed" said Jane, laughing,
elf there were should be pauper.
The next moment she regretted the
last words, for she saw look of pain fit
across her fathers face. Jane had re-
ceived nothing from him, and as he was
believed to be veIy wealthy man, what
had inadvertently escaped her lips sound
ed like reproach.
"What i meant" said the old man,
hesitating a little in his speech now,
"was that there is no incumbrance-no
mortgagel"
"None whatever" said John, little
proudly. "The property is ours, in fee
simple, every plank, every nail in it,"
'That's we'll, that's we'll, said Mr..
Lewis. every married man should have
home of his own, if he possibly can
no matter how modest it may be-"
"Your father seems a little odd to-
night" said John, when the old man was
gone.
"Do you think there can be anything
wrong with him2" asked Jane, anxiously.