The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1891-11-25

The young minister was just explaining
the difference between spiritual and a
merely intellectual belief in Scripture,
when frightened trio of children came
scrambling down the stairs.
"Oa, Aurt Hepsie, there's burglar in
Jacks room; there is, and he's asleep on
the bed"
"a burglar. Oh, my susl Then l
wasn't dreaming after all"
Mrs. Barber was setting the table, and
she fairly turned pale with nervous excite
ment.
Don't get frightened, auntie, I'll go
up aud rout them out. Give me the
poker" aud Horace started up the stairs
hurriedly, with his formidable weapon.
"And l, too" Uncle Drake, a jolly
old fellow of immense avoirdupois,
caught up the tongs. "Ill pinch him
while Horace belabors him."
1t is needless to say they were fol-
lowed by an excited retinue of specta-
tors, at a safe distance, however, for
there was no telling what the presumably
savage intruder might do when alar med.
"Perhaps he's armed" suggested the
young minister, neIvously. He had pro.
vided himself with au umbrella, as he
brought up the rear.
The burglar must have been in a
sound slumber not to have heard the con.
fusion of whispering voices at the door,
but there was no sound within the cham
Der Until Horace opened the door aud
peered cautiously in, the poker in hand
in defensive readiness.
"Jack Barber, you william, if you
haven't been up to your old tricks of
climbing in the window" Horace's voice
came floating down the stairway in a
peal of surprised laughter.
'Jack Ny Jackl Well 1 never, u
cried Aunt Hepsie, pushing her way
through the crowd and rushing up the
stairs.
Marion, at the first sound of jacks
name, had OWNED in a moment just
what had occurred, that Jack had come
on the early morning train, and not wish
ing to arouse the family, had crept up to
his room window in the mo might, and
as she had so obligiugly left it open, had
found no trouble in getting in quietly,
and trembling and blushing, she re-
treated to the kitchen to think it over,
and compose herself for the meeting
with him.
They had parted in anger, and she
scarcely knew how to receive him now.
Last night in her loneliness and griet she
would nave rushed into his arms and
have shown all her delight aud desire to
undo the past; this morning sle wa
more self-rehant, and she wisely re-
solved that little of the concession at
least must come from Jac!,, since he had
left her so cavalierly and so unkindl!
without just cause.
She was standing there still, balancing
the fork with which she had just turne /
the turkey, idly in her hand, when an
arm stole round her waist aud Jacks
voice, very humble and loving, whispered
in her ear: "Will my Marion forgive
and forgetl"
All her pride vanished at once under
the spell of the dear, familiar vcice, and
turning, she shed happy tears OF re
joicing on her lovers shoulder.
"And why haven't you written to me,
JACKIE" she asked reproachfully, after
few moments of happy converse.
81 did, Marion. | wrote you lon
letter asking your forgiveness for the
miserable part | had taken in that
wretched quarrel, but never received d
word in reply, and of course | suppose
you were angry and unforgiving towards
me-"
"How could answer it dear JacN,
when l never received it; no, not ole
line from you in all this weary year"
''If could only have known it, bu
not hearing made me so angry that
determined that you or no one else shoulC
know where l was, or anything abou
me-"
"You foolish, hot.tempered Jack,
said Marion, softly, "but how did yo'
chance to come home, dearl'
81 could not keep away" said Jacl
simply. 'As Thanksgiving drew near
the attraction towards the old home be
came too strong to be resisted, aud nov
. that have you again, I'm not going t.
let you go, aud I propose that we b
: married this very day. iii 90 for
( minister directly after dinner, aud wei
make it d Thanksgiving worth remem
bering.'