The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1891-04-15


half forgotten as she wandered on and
on with feverish strength and uncertain
purpose. Her short little curls were all
astray and her thin hands clenched con-
vulsivcly.
Her half unguided steps led to the art
store where her pretty little daubs had
so unsuccessfully been exposed for sale,
the Kind old proprietor feeling a half
pity for the lonely little child-woman who
had asked so often and anxiously of their
fate and had been too proud to voice her
disappointments when they never sold.
THIS old fellow was just stepping to
the door when she passed the place. The
daubs were almost forgotten in the half
delirium that had come over her.
"ITo, Miss LangI" he called, cheerily.
''Luck at last"
The daubs-not one, but all-were
sold Some young fellow, much to the
old fellows surprise, upon laundering
into the store, seeing the daubs, which
he appeared to recognize, and making a
few inquiries as to the identity of the
artist, had snapped up the whole lot as
if they had been very precious indeed.
The man placed the money in the bewil-
dered girls hands, and watched her as
she went weakly away after few half
incoherent words.
"Poor childt" he muttered to himself.
"She looked i'll and half starved l wish
why, declare, l forgot to tell her
that that Young had beeu very particular
to inquire her address, and exhibited
strong symptoms of intending to call on
her."
Meanwhile the buyer of the daubs,
with his purchases in bundle under his
arm, had made all haste to proceed to
the address the art dealer had given
him.
No, Miss Lang was not in, the land
lady informed him. She had probably
gone to look for new abiding place, as
she was about to leave her present quar-
ters upon the morrow.
Was Miss Lang enjoying good health9
Well, now that she thought of it, the
landlady was moved to confess that for
some time the young lady had appeared
to be sort of fading and failing.
What was the matter9
The landlady could not say. A woman
with the cares of a shabby genteel lodg-
ing house, worthless husband and
! valueless children could not be ex-
, pectcd to find time to pay more atten-
ton to her patrons than to know that
they paid their dues promptly and did
not make way with the furniture.
, When did she expect the young lady
back2
, She could not saT. Maybe, now that
she thought of it, miss Lang would not
: return at all. She had been given warn
ing to vacate the room and might have
done so already. There was letter on
, the table addressed to a Mr.. Philip
Atchison. 1t might possibly
"That's mel" interjected the visitor,
} with much promptness and profound
contempt for the restrictions of gram
mar.
, Five minutes later Phil Atchison was
reading the letter in the drcary little
| room.
| Such pitiful, disconnected, tear.
e blotted letter it was And when the visitor
2 had read it through he rubbed the bacl
E of his hand across his eyes and there
t were other and fresher tear spots on tn,
y page.
Q "When you read this, Phil, dear
t dear Phil" the letter said, "my strug
/ giles will be done. I've tried so hard
a Phil, but it was no use. The battle il
l almost over, and when 1t is done, yol
can lay me among the lilacs. And, oh
= Phil, forgive the wrong l did you, dear
, dear Phil. Oh, If you could only com,
+ to me now. am so tired, so tired ant
! hungry. Come to me, Phil! Come
, There was a catch in the young fel
y lows voice as he spoke:
: "Her struggles will soon be over on,
t way or the otherl Well, am glad IN!
!, inventing wasn't failure at last AnC
g the golden harvest it is bringing m,
shall be devoted to making jamie, little
II jamie, happy if l find her alive!"
II He started to read on again.
r "Oh. Phil, come back to me! Come
d The door opened Just then and jamie
d entered. Her step was less weary anC
S her eyes more nearly happy, A goot
: supper will do wonders for one.
"Janie, little Janie"
1 "Dear Phil"
0 "You called me and have comew
e "Forgive me, Phil /"
+ And then she was half smothered il
S his protecting clasp and knew that heI
f struggles were over at last"
, "And now you can see all of the grea
= bright world you desire, said the younl
G fellow, somewhat later.
e 81 don't want to see it!" the girl re-
, turned, holding him fast with her thir
G little hands. ~ don't want the grea
r world or anything but that quiet lttl,
home of which we used to plan, and
e and you, Phil "-NetO York Mercury.