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

u,MgT%NMTl@MgSS wind st;lI hIow.
UVVOV 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, il 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 afraidS"
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
brave man for the woman who trusts
him.
James Hardwick was a genuine
ranchman. He loved the life well. 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 q rustic bench
circling their roots, and in the summer
roses and wild camellias IN profusion,
transforming the grave into q flower
bed. Here Nancy had grown from a
grave, pretty child to gentle, beauti-
full woman, the morning star of her
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 gradp-
ate in the spring, but his ambitious
were put resolutely aside, and his
mothers remonstrances met with a
tender, reassuring smile.
And now she was dying, his efforts
had all been vain. The heavy sacri-
fee had only been the preliminary TO
a heavier sorrow. When, in the morn
ing, the doctor had rendered his final
verdict, Jacks first impulse was for
Nancy he would start Mt once and
bring her back before sunset. But
Nancy was away when he reached the
ranch, and did not return until the
prairies were gray and the last ray of
orange light had tralled down the ho-
rizon.
Now Nancy was begging earnestly
to go with her lover, who was blind to
any possibility of danger, knowing SO
well his own strength and courage.
And, above all, far away in the cabin
WAS the loved ''little mater" dying.
The time seemed very precious, md,
in spite of himself, he shuddered visi-
bly,. Nancy read his heart as quickly
as though his lips were voicing every
change and pleaded with her father
until his reluctant consent was won.
"You we're always too much for me,
little girl" he said, ''It has always
been, yea, yea, where it should have
been may, nay You are all I have,
Nancy child, aud tonight my heart ii
on the ground ian Indian expression
for the blues1. All day the wine
has moaned in the clump of cedsrs
/ can't shake off the feeling of fore
boding it brings me. There, there
no tears. / know you would b'
wretched not to go. God keep yor
safe.
Then he turned abruptly, and, fac
ing the man who had taken so mucl
out of his life, said curtly:
''If aught happen her tonight, Jael
Du Bois, remember my life ends witt
hers, and both are in your keeping.
"Fatherl Father" Nancy cried
throwing her arms about his neck
''You are breaking my heart Yol
shall not speak 80 to Jack. He woul'
give his life for mine.
The frown that had deepened il
Jacks forehead disappeared at Nan
cy's words.
''Nanay has spoken the truth, h
answered quietly, speaking her nam
slowly, caressingly, as though eacl
syllable we're a mystic rite.
In few minutes the horses were a
the door, Hardwick helping Nancy t
mount. As she watched him examin
every strap and buckle, solieitous as
lover for every tri1e, she began, 70
the first time, to comprehend littl
of the pain her new happiness ha
brought him. Regardless OF prsncin
horse and Impatient lover, she agai
threw her arms about her father
neck. Neither Of them spoke, bu
when Rardwiek re-entered the ranc
his face was wet with tears.
Jack had come over the mountai
road in the morning, when much {
the moisture had drained off, AID ha
! not thought the lower road could !