The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1894-02-07

N@sF2MlKNES sponge and the
H2zyW//YtH%%gS' wind still blow
UV V0OO0 w - ing straight from
the south. Why, the road takes you
directly under the bluff"
eyes, yes, know, the girl answered
impatiently. 81 know the ground is
bad, but the road is safe enough. The
last wolf was killed three winters ago.
And, in any case, it does not matter,
father, for Jack has come for me and
his mother is dying. Think of it,
father, not woman to speak last
word of love or comfort, only the
doctor and perhaps, the Bishop. She
needs me this very moment, and with
Jack how could be afraidp"
Nancy's voice was brave enough,
but her eyes were moist as the color
deepened in her cheeks. Jacks heart
beat quickly with love, the love of a
brave man for the woman who trusts
him.
James Hardwick was genuine
ranchman. He loved the life we'll 1t
had brought him health and home,
and besides, was not Nancy's mother
buried at the foot of the knoll just
back of the ranch? True, there was
no white stone to tell her name and
age to curious strangers, only clump
of red cedars with rustic bench
circling their roots, and in the summer
roses and wild camellias IN profusion,
Transforming the grave into flower
bed. Here Nancy had grown from q
grave, pretty child to gentle, beauti.
full woman, the morning star of heI
fathers life, and until the past six
months had thought her life, with its
monotonous routine, perfect.
Early in the past summer Jack Du
Bois had come from the East with his
invalid mother, whose physicians had
ordered ranch life in the Far West as
the only remedy for weak lungs and
failing strength. Jack was to gradu
ate in the spring, but his ambitious
were put resolutely aside, and his
mothers remonstrances met with &
tender, reassuring smile.
And now she was dying, his efforts
had all been vain. The heavy sacri
fee had only been the preliminary tc
heavier sorrow. When, in the morn
ing, the doctor had rendered his fina
verdict, Jacks first impulse was fol
Nancy he would start at once anC
bring her back before sunset. Bu
Nancy was away when he reached the
ranch, and did not return until the
prairies were gray and the last ray o
orange light had tralled down the ho
rizon.
Now Nancy was begging earnestl,
to go with her lover, who was blind t,
any possibility of danger, knowing S,
well his own strength and courage
And, above all, far away in the cabil
WAS the loved ''little mater" dying
The time seemed very precious, and
in spite of himself, he shuddered visi
bly,. Nancy read his heart as quickl,
as though his lips were voicing ever,
change and pleaded with her fathe
until his reluctant consent was won.
"You were always too much for Inc
little GIRL" he said, 'It has alway
been, yea, yea, where it should hav
been may, nay You are all l have
Nancy child, aud tonight my heart
on the ground ian Indian expressio
for the blues). All day the win
has moaned in the clump of cedar'
] can't shake off the feeling of fore
boding it brings me. There, there
no tears. 1 know you would b
wretched not to go, God keep yo
safe"
| rpba,, he 4,,rnaJ N ol,ru,,f1x, and 20,
ing the man who had taken so niue
ont of his life, said curtly;
''If aught happen her tonight, JAG
Du Bois, remember my life ends wit
hers, and both are in your keeping.
''Fatheri Father!" Nancy crieC
throwing her arms about his necl
'You are breaking my heart. Yo
shall not speak so to Jack. He woul
give his life for mine"
The frown that had deepened
jacks forehead disappeared at Nal
cy's words
'Nancy has spoken the truth,
answered quietly, speaking her nan
slowly, eOressingly, as though eaC
syllable were a mystic rite.
In few minutes the horses were
the door, Hardwiok helping Nancy
mount. As she watched him examiI
every strap and buckle, solicitous a.
lover for every triile, she began, f.
the first time, TO comprehend lit
of the pain her new happiness HI
brought him. Regardless OF prancil
horse and impatient lover, she aga
threw her arms about her father
neck. Neither OF them spoke, b
when Hardwick re-entered the ran
his face was wet with tears.
Jack had come over the mounta
road in the nOrning, when much
the moisture had drained off, AID b
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