The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1897-11-17


was resting III preparation for the next
event. Her music was open on the
piano, and her blotting-book on the
writing-table; but her attention was
wholly taken up with certain patterns
of laces aud silks and velvets that were
spread before her. She was evidently
choosing dress or dresses for some
important occasion, and she fingered
one pattern after another with linger-
ing care. Anna had always been hand
some, but she was haudsomer now
than ten years back, and to-day, with
an expression of gentle contentment
upon her face, she looked particularly
well. She was so entirely engrossed
in the train of thought with which the
silks and laces were associated that
she did not notice the sound of foot
steps coming through the garden, and
started when Mary ushered into the
room ga gentleman to speak to you,
Miss Anna. With flush of surprise
on her beautiful face, she turned to
encounter her old lover James Bar
rington.
"There is some mistake, think, :"
she said, drawing herself back haughtily
after the first shock of astonishment
had passed. "You can scarcely have
wished to see me"
"There is no mistake" answered
James. "I have come across the world
for that purpose. They tell me you
are still Miss Edgar"
fNfNIaf 10 .Narfaatlxy oN,.raot l,,,4 Il fo,I
to see what concern it is of yours
now, she cried with emphasis.
''Ihave come across the world, as I
said, to seek you out, and ask if you
have forgiven me for what happened
ten years ago, Anna? This is my only
child" he said, pointing to little girl
in a mourning frock, who hung shyly
behind him.
Anna looked curiously at the child
of the woman who had supplanted her.
She bore q softened resemblance to
her mother, but in her face was n
strange expression indicative of Anna
knew not what.
Indeed" said Anna, and paused
inquiringly.
Il have brought her with me-" re-
sumed James; "she is all have. 1t
is almost two years since she lost her
mother"
"And you probably wish her to he
educated in England l am sorry to
hear of your loss; it is great charge
to be left with 50 young child to
train. "
Anna was aware that she spoke stiffily
and indifferently, but she was still in
the dark as to the meaning of the pres
ent interview, aud she resented what
she looked upon as an unwarrantable
intrusion.
81 brought her with me because
could not do without the only creature
L have belonging to me, and, besides, L
want to show her to an English doctor.
Anna, you do know what my loneliness
is, and how i'll can bear to be alone.
l never could bear to be by myself 1t
was that that brought about what you
must look on as my treachery toward
you. You know how urged you to
come ont to me, and how you would
still wait till 1 could come to fetch
you. 1t was too lonely, and then 1
met with Jessie. She told you all
about it; she was good to me and
married her. Then you came out, two
months too late, and it broke my
heart, Anna, for it was you always that
1 loved"
"Hush!" exclaimed Anna, aghast,
as he ended with an appeal in his
voice. "This is scarcely fit talk be-
fore your wife's daughter"
"Do you not know" he said bitter
ly, "the child is stone deaf? The
same calamity that deprived me of her
mother took away her hearing. We
may say what we choose before her;
she only knows what we say on our
fingers" ;"
"Poor little soul" said Anna, sud
denly relenting toward the mute little
figure, and taking her into her friend
ly arms. She understood now the
strange expression that she had
noticed ON the child's face
"It is a heavy trial to her and to
me, and she has no mother. Anna, 1
have come to see if you can be won to
forgive me the past and take the place
now that you have always had in my
heart. l am a rich man now in every
thing but happiness; 1 can give you
all the luxuries you were born TO, and
if you do not choose to go TO Australia
1 will sell my property there and pur
chase an estate where you please in
England.
Anna had released the child, and
now stood proudly confronting its
father.
81 am exceedingly glad to hear of
your prosperity; it must surpass even
your expectations, and / trust that
you may long enjoy it. But, as l said
at the beginning, you have made
mistake; your presence here is un-
called for"
81 know" said James earnestly,
THAT you must even yet feel sore and
angry when you think of my treat
ment of you; but you do not realize
how much 1 too have undergone.
Jessie was a good woman, a good wife,
but she was not the woman that i
loved"
"More shame for you, interrupted
Anna.
James put up his hand imploringly.
'You speak truly; but it was you
you always that l carried in my heart,
and it is you that have come back to
seek. Anna, if you are still angry
with me, will you not have compassion
on the child? Think of her helpless
ness, for what am / as a guardian to
that little thing? Women are always
tender-hearted, and the child has