The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1897-05-26

ham. The open door OF the wool
closet showed huge pile, while the
table was heaped high with food.
For q moment she stood gazing
wildly around her. Then she dropped
on her knees, and q shower of tears re.
lieved her overwrought nerves.
The next days mail brought letter
from Margaret to Mr.. Davis. The
writer had gone to Miss Smell to thank
her. From the young teacher she had
learned of Marks connection with the
affair.
1t was IN earnest grateful letter,
blotted here aud there with tear stains.
She accepted his generosity, for her
children's sake she could not refuse
charity. She referred to the friend
ship that had existed between their
parents, but Mark was glad that she
was too womanly u woman to even
hint at the relation they had once
borno to each. When he finished
reading the letter, his heart was light,
for he understood that Margaret knew
of the treachery that had blotted the
sunshine out of his life.
Mark went straight homo and told
his aunt, who was also his housekeep.
er, all about it. Mrs. Everts was knit
ting before the open coal fire. She
was bright-faced old lady with soft
white hair md serene face. When
he had finished, she laid down her
work and sat for long time, gazing
into the dancing flames.
"Ihe only daughter of my old friend,
Rebecca Henson, in want of food, she
said, note Of pain in her voice.
"Mark, you and l both have plenty of
money. There is room in this house,
and in our heart, for Margaret and her
babies. But she is proud. Go aud
ask her to como and sew for me. Tell
her am lonely and ask her to bring
her little ones to brighten me up"
Mark bent to kiss the placid face.
"Thank you, Aunt Elsie, l see you
understand. A few hours later he
knocked at Margaret's door and saw
that years had changed her. The wild
rose bloom had faded from her cheeks,
tears had washed the joyous light from
her blue eyes, yet it was surely the
Margaret he had loved, that stood be.
fore him.
She met him frankly and with un-
disguised pleasure. Her voice trem-
bled when she undertook to express
her gratitude. Mark made light OF
the whole affair and insisted on talking
of their childhood days. The fruit
and nuts he brought proved an open
sesame to the hearts OF Agnes and
Royce, and they were soon on the best
OF terms with the caller.
Margaret was very grateful for the
offer OF work. She hesitated little
over accepting Mrs Everts's kind in
vitation, fearing lest the children
prove an annoyance. But when Mark
drew touching picture OF the loneli
ness of his aunt she gladly consented
to come. 1t was arranged that the
carriage come for the Gregorys the
following afternoon.
One morning, two months later,
Florence Fox tripped across the hal
of No. 3 and entered Miss SnelPl
room.
"Of course, you are going to tn;
wedding reception Thursday evening,
she began. "l think it such q lovely
marriage, don't you?"
"Indeed do" Lillian replied warm
ly. "Yes, am to go in the Afternoon
and help with the decorations. Th'
whole house is to be in green nnC
white, smilax, ferns, roses and carna
tions. Mrs. Everts says Mr.. Davis
cannot do too much for his bride
our dear Margaret the sweet ole
lady calls her"
'And 1 believe it all came about
from your begging him to give hel
good weight, FLORENCE cried, mer
rilY. "He is obeying your request il
an extravagant manner. And Lillian
is not that pretty pearl ring and The
beatIfc, expression on cousin Hugh
face the result OF my efforts along th'
same liEe OF charitable workP'
The bell rang then, aud the blush
ing Lillian was spared the necessity o
a Womankind.