The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1896-04-15

uOuDbl 1eInhpS, between us, we may
be able to get Jim ont of this distaste-
ful Office; perhaps my father could
find him more congenial billet on
his Scotch estate. Come, let me see
you smile again. All that is better
--now seriously; the dear old dad will
do anything I wish, and 1 shall ask
him to find something for your
brother. No, it is no kindness" he
leant toward the girl, whose sparkling
eyes spoke her gratitude. and said
softly: 81 leave Uncle Hayling to-
morrow, but when / return in three
weeks time ] shall ask for something
in return. But not yet Jean not till
have seen my dear old father, and
have told him of your sweet self. Ah,
Jean, when come back will you be
kind?"
She blushed and played with her hat
strings, while thrush sang its au-
tumn song in the scarlet.hung rowan
tree over her head, and robin peeped
at the lovers from the bilberry bush
close by, but she answered never a
word. The Captain smiled. "In
three weeks time, Jean, 1 shall come
for your answer-have L made you
dumb, have you no voice left? Come,
then, tell me of your solemn-faced
admirer down there, indicating Brim.
ley; "can you tell me how he fares?"
Jean gave her head toss, and found
speech at once. "I hate him." she
said, energetically, ''and yet 1 fear
him, tool He is hard and harsh, and
dreadfully obstinate. All, you laugh,
but really, do fear himl Is it pre-
sentiment?"
Had she known it, the pretty, pen
niless Jean had won the heart of the
heir to one of the biggest rent rolls in
Scotland, but she knew nothing of her
lovers prospects, and cared not at all !;
to her unsophisticated mind it was
sufficient to be sure that he was kind,
brave and true knowing it, she loved
him.
The following evening, about the
same hour Miss Jean was making the
same journey on her slender young
feet. humming little song to herself
as she walked. She paused at the
Squires fence to recall the meeting Of
the previous day. In three weeks
time Captain Hayling would be back,
he would meet her again and then i
che did not put her thoughts into
words, but her cheeks hoisted their
crimson flag, and finished the sentence
for her. How glad she was his arm
was nearly well, though it seemed it
must always remain stiff. and unfit him
for active service yet it was happi-
ness to know he could never again go
to those cruel wars. She stopped
some little way from the edge of the
cliffs, remembering her lovers warn
ing; yes, the cliffs we're slipping more
than usual this season. Only yonder
q large boulder had fallen during the
night, and even as she looked, half a
mile away, huge crag fell with the
noise of the explosion, churning up
the sea in spray, and leaving thick,
smoke-like dust in its wake; she
stayed to see the frightened gulls set
tie once more, and resumed her way,
choosing more inland track.
Farmer Lodon stood at his gate; he
had seen Miss Jean advancing, and,
with arms folded, he awaited her.
When she would have gone on, he
laid heavy, OBTAINING hand on her
arm, bidding her not to hurry, for he
must have speech with her.
"Mr. Lodon," she said, while she
shrank involuntarily from his touch,
"if it is the same question, you know
] have but the same answer"
Softly, softly / say you shall be
my wife, and that in three weeks
time, or take the alternative. Your
brother Jim shall pay the forfeit. You
start. All you think his little pranks
are not known, but you mistake. He
drew letter from his pocket, and
showed her, making her read it. 1t
was written by her brother, with all a
boys carelessness; it spoke of his
escapades, of the notorious run of the
previous week when he had helped
triumphantly to hoodwink the revenue
men. The letter, written TO a com
rade who had missed the fun, and
signed "James Alymer," was evidence
enough fully to inoriminate the writer.
II had never reached it destination
by means of his own, for ends of his
own, Farmer Lodon had gained pos
session of 1t. Jean wrung her hands
together, her frightened eyes sought
his pitiless face; he answered her I'M
spoken question. "WIll 1 use this?
Perhaps. Should 1 do so. do you
think your fine lover will be able to
help you or save jim? l think not
If give this little paper to those who
would like to have it, Jim will be
taken, my girl; do you understand
that? Jim will be taken, and others
named here; the punishment you
know"
sob, 1 know!" she moaned; had
not some one else warned her but yes
terday? 'I know, and it will kill the
dad, the poor old dad, as well as
jim.
"Your face is your fortune, Mistress
Jean," he answered. sit is a fair
one don't you knowit?"
She buried it in her hands. "Oh, ]
wish it had been as ugly as sin,
withered aud Scared by any accident,
If ugliness might have saved me from
you" but she caught his eye, and the
threat she read there quieted her
she was silent, shuddering in dumb
misery. An hour later, weary aud
tired out, Jean crept into her fathers
house, and up to her small bedroom
under tine thatched roof. She, who in