The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1896-11-04

speak, but waved his hand without
turning his head. The door closed
behind him, a tremendous clap OF
thunder shook the house. Slbylla ran
back into the parlor, threw herself
upon sofa and burst into tears.
Julien walked rapidly toward the
barn after his horse. He heard pat.
ter of bare feet and became aware
that small colored girl was running
beside him trying to hold big ging.
ham umbrella over his head.
you're never goin' to ride out in
his rain, Capt'n Booth, " cried Absalom
from the hayloft as Julien entered the
barn door.
The young man stood for long
time staring out at the brilliant green
of the dripping shrubbery, under
meath which the chickens. ruffled and
sullen we're huddled. He looked down
into Chrissy's swollen face and brim-
ming eyes, and wondered vaguely if
she was crying because she was sorry
for him. Then he looked up at the
leaden, streaming sky and tried to
imagine what bis life was going to be
like without Sibylla Ashley. 4.
OF what noxious hellebore or night
shade had he drunk that he fancied
her lacking in tenderness?-this glo-
rious, beautiful woman whom he had
Just renounced, and whom, he knew
now, he loved with all his soul.
He darted out into the rain again
and strode back to the house. Chrissy
still ran at his side. He pushed the
front-door open. The sound of his
footsteps on the hall door was drowned
by the fury Of the storm. He heard
Letty's voice, and then Sibylla's. She
was sobbing.
81 sent him away in the rain, Lefty.
He behaved so beautifully
SO nobly. did not think it
could be so hard"
"Don't cry, DEAR" said Lefty. at
is better SO, since you do not love
him."
"But-but-I do love him. 1 didn't
know how much till now that l have
lost him forever"
The door opened softly, and Julien
stood within the room. Sibylla was
lying on the sofa, her face buried in
the pillows. Lefty stood beside her,
holding her hand. She dropped it
with start as she saw Julien, who
held up warning finger.
"Don't go away, Lettyl" sobbed
Sibylla, and then using almost tho
words of Egypt's miserable and de-
serted queen, "Don't talk to me-just
pity mel I"
She reached out gropingly to take
Letty's hand again. Sweet Lefty sim
ply faded out OF the room, and it was
Julien's hand that Sibylla clasped.
"Letty, know he will ne never
come back He said hardly word, but
looked so mi-miserable How tight
you are holding my hani-you hurt
me. Lefty"
She suddenly sat upright. Julien
was kneeling beside her, his arm was
around her waist. A sob was tremb
ling on her lips. There must be an
outlet; fit of hystercal, undigniied
weeping if she pushed him away, and
there was his shoulder waiting for her
head, SO comfortable, SO restful a
haven. Before she realized it, aud by
no volition OF hers, yet with no resist
auce, her face was buried there, Jul
liens cheek pressed against her own,
and his arms held her close.
~ could not give you mp, my dar'
ling" he whispered.
"And [ cannot let you so, she said,
between her sobs.
The storm was passing, aud there
were already glimpses of the sun be.
hind the low hanging clouds. The lower
part OF the house was very still. Muir
INJURED, fragmentary phrases of the
talk OF the two lovers penetrated 10
the hall, where ridiculous little
figure in muddy pink frock fingered
near the parlor-door.
81 guess the troubles bout all
over" thought Chrissy.
ut has brought us nearer together,
Julien" she heard Sibylla say, 'and
1 shall always hold this day blessed ;
but let us never speak of it again.
"Never again, my SibylIa, Julien
voice made answer.
"Dis lettah's no good now" solilo.
quized Chrissy, as she drew the soiled
and crumpled envelope from hel
pocket at 'ud jes' make mo- trouble
if hand it ovah. Dey doh't wan
dat mattah talked about no mo-, an'
amt goln' to bring it up. I'll ies' so
an put de ole ting in de kitchen fire.
-Goodey's Magazine.
! Tt,o E,,d OF Soaonl li,;I I,o,,