The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1891-07-01

"Was it because repinedl Oh, dear,
oh dear, what a wicked girl must bel
But everything seemed so hard and |
cruel, and --and-I couldn't endure it,"
Late in the afternoon she peeped into
the sickroom, shy and shrinking, like a
frightened child. "Is he worsel" she |
whispered.
Mrs. Ames came to the door, slight,
oft-eyed woman, like human dove.
"You needn't speak so low, daugh-
ter" said she. "He can't hear you.
He's quite unconscious"
"Why docs he keep muttering so1"
al think he's wandering in his mind
poor old Uncle Ebenl Oh, dear--oh,
dear And l can remember him such a
portly, handsome man," added the
widow, wiping her eyes. "He was the
youngest of all the brothers. Come in,
Alix, and see him. He's spoken your
name two or three times. Don't look so
startled, dear. He seems quite happy
aud composed. He's talking all the
while about those curiosities of his-the
minerals, you know, and things"
Involuntarily Altx's eyes met the
gently reproachful glance of her sisters.
The sudden scarlet mounted to her
cheek.
"Ob, Ellen. don't look at me so |" she
exclaimed. "I brought them every one
back-yes, dld-and 1 put them ex-
actly where they were before. Do you
think could have come into this room
If it hadn't been for that?"
And she went up and stood by the
bedside, her eyes full of tender tears, her
voice pitiful and low.
"Uncle Eben," said she, ''do you
know met"
ats Alix, amt it2" crooned the old
man, after a moments silence. 'Alex-
ander's oldest girl. The prettiest one.
Yes, it's Alix-and she's to have my Gu
riosities-all of them, mind! Nell has
got lover, and that ought to be enough
for any girl. But Alix is alone, aud Alix
shall have my curiosities.
"Thank you, Uncle Eben" said Alix,
as the invalid paused, expectaut of an
swer.
And then he began to prate of South
American forests and the ruined mission
houses of New Mexico, and shortly after
he died.
And'when Alix finished cleaning the
spare room, she left the poor little treas
ures in the drawer of an old fashioned
book case there.
81 couldn't have the heart to throw
them away a second time" said she, "af-
ter what he said to me. 1t was like a
child giving one shining pebbles or
wilted buttercups, with the idea that
they were precious treasures. But I'm
glad he said it. 1t seemed to soften my
heart; and, oh, it was very hard and bit
ter Just then! And l didn't know-how
could Ii-that / should miss him SO
much"
1t was late in the summer when one of
the neighboring girls came in.
''Miss Alix," said she, "you told our
Becky she could have basket of goose
berries, didn't you-them purple, prickly
berries, that grows down by the garden
wall2"
"of course did," Alix answered,
crisply. 81 knew your grandma liked
gooseberry jam"
"Well, look here" said Fanny Rice,
opening her closed hand. .'see what
she picked up there"
ga little sparkling stone, isn't itY"
"It's an opal. said Fanny, in mys'
terious whisper.
"A-whatg"
"An opal"
"Nonsense, child! What are you talk.
ing about9" cried Alix, scornfully.
''But it is an opal. John Lyttou, who
works at Tiffany's, in New York, is
down visiting his mother, and he says
it's real Oriental opal in the rough.
Now the question is, John says, how did
an opal ever get among your gooseberry
busiest Is there jewel mine hidden
down there2" she added, half jestingly
Alix turned first red, then white. She
knew we'll how it had come there.
''Ask John Lytton to come here and
see me, Fanny" said she. 81 have a
least dozen stones like that"
It was like the ending to fairy story
Not jewels turning to ashes, apparently
but rough pebbles ranking, all of sud
den, as precious jewels.
Uncle Eben's minerals, disguised in
the dimness of their conglomerate sur
roundings, were opals of rare fire an(
value.
Whether he had picked them up il
New Mexico, among the ignorant trader
there, or brought them direct from Soutl
America, no one ever knew. But opal
they were.
''And to think" said Alex, with
little catching to her breath, "hoN
| near came to throwing all my inherit
ance away Oh, what a wicked, evil
tempered young virago l wasl And no
thing but Ellen's sweet, gentle word
g saved me from the consequences of ny
l own folly. And so Ellen shall have hal
of my inheritance.
: And for some weeks the gooseberr
bushes at the foot of the Ames garde
, formed sort of Mecca for sightseer
= and curiosity -mongers.
ave ain's used to berry bushes Q
r bear precious stones" chuckled oil
CATER Gerdis. ''Not in this part OF I'll
world. ."-Saturddy Night.
Weight on Various Planets.