The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1897-12-01

tons Of Russian petroleum in all, at "a
per ton-equals e400, 900. We buy
at an average of Gas. per ton, or $780,
600, leaving a profit of ESQ, 600, very
nice little deal. 1 think, Crawford,
that when have seen this through
shall sell the business and retire"
''Iudeed, sirl"
eyes, l am about tired of CONNER
cial life; these transactions will be
thr ough in three months, and then l
am going TO be married."
"You surprise me, sir"
'Aye, life is full of surprises. You
know Miss Merrion, think'
miss Merrion"
Eyes, Miss Merrion; but why in
that tone of voice? Don't you approve
of the ladyP"
'"This is no subject for jest, sir; you
know as well as do that Miss Mer-
rion is my promised WIFE"
"Indeedl II is my turn to be sur
prised. certainly knew that you ad-
mired the lady, aud I have no doubt
that you fostered hopes in that direc-
tion; but when you have the cool
effrontery to inform me that you are
engaged to marry her can only mar
vel at your audacity"
"With oil respect due to you, sir, as
my uncle aud my employer, must
say that the statement you have just
made is not only untrue, but you know
il to be untrue. 1 was engaged to
marry Miss Merrion long before she
was an heiress, and we were merely
waiting until my position improved. "
"And do you think you are likely to
improve your position by calling your
master liar9 After this conduct you
cannot remain in my employ. will
dispense with the three months no.
tice, and draw you check in lieu OF
it. Be prepared to leave in five min
utes Co."
A few minutes later the bell rang
again, aud Crawford, hat in hand and
coat thrown over his arm, entered the
sanctum.
'''I am sorry to have TO part with
you like this, Crawford, but there is
no other course opon to me. / have
just left Miss Merrion, aud she has
complained to me of your fortune
hunting propensities, and asked me TO
use my influence to put an end to your
persecution of her. Here is check
for 9200, and 1 sincerely hope that
you will endeavor to cultivate more
gentlemanly manners in your future
career"
Quietly closing the door after him,
John Markam's nephew left the
Office.
The fickleness of fortune as demon.
strated by the events of the last fif
ten minutes caused an indescribablt
feeling of dismay in the young mans
mind.
Charles Crawford as chief clerk to
John Markham & Co., with prospects
of a partnership, was now Charles
Crawford, with e200 in his pocket
and few more hundreds in the bank,
and prospects nil.
His first thought upon leaving the
office was of Norah. Could it be as
his uncle had declared, that she
looked upon him merely as q fortune
hunter2 No, he would not believe it,
and full of determination to ascertain
the truth from Norah herself, he made
his way to her home.
The cry of Joy that fell from her
lips when he presented himself before
her soon banished all thoughts of her
Inconsistency from his mind
In few moments she had told him
all; the incriminating document,
signed by her brother Wilfred, the per-
secutions Of John Markham, and the
extraordinary sacrifice demanded from
her in order to save Wilfred from
ruin.
''What can we do, CharlieP Poor
Wilfred is so happy with his wife and
child; is an error of the past to rise
up aud ruin his life? 1 would give
my whole fortune to find way out OF
this trouble. 1 cannot give you up,
Charlie, and yet if we do not hit upon
some plan"
you will marry John Markam?"
"No, no, do not say that, Charlie,
but / must save Wilfred.
1t was striking 10 O'Clock that night
when Crawford left Nora Merrion. AS
he walked along plunged in thought
the rattle of a fire engine dashing
past reused him from his reverie, and
a lurid glare in the sky told him that
vast conhagration was in progress.
Upon fastening to the spot he found
that the premises and store yards of @
large firm of coopers were on fire. A
huge stack of many thousands of newly
made barrels was well alight, and from
the inaammable nature of the mater
ials it was soon evident that all effsrts
to hold the fire in check wore hope
less. In few hours the whole OF the
premises would be gutted.
As Crawford gazed upon the burn.
ing pile, a sudden thought surgeo
through his brain. After considering
few moments he hastily retraced his
steps, and late as he was, sought an
other interview with Nora.
They talked far into the night, ant
it was late when he finally reached his
lodgings. Instea2sf retiring to rest
however, he started TO write, and wheI
the dawn of the new day streame(
through the window, he was still busy
with his pen.
Eight o'clock saw him at the tele
graph office with a sheaf of messages
in his hand addressed to all the prin
cipal coopers and barrel makers in the
kingdom. They were nearly all of tn,
same tenor, and ran as follows;
| Ft(tontrootu xvapfaI for onU .nart ~