The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1898-05-11

AWM n m vision, and at length
NNNMMA#XN let her eyes fall as
,NWMVNyWliLIX if they were weary
NN%M%MfLW with the fight.
" "Pm so glad" she
thought, "that 1 shall see only little
of it at time; for the sky'll always be
over me Ikea big bell. If it wasn't
for that / shouldn't dare breathe-I'm
so lonely"
The thought of great, unknown
Outside made her glance hastily
about the room, as if reassuring her.
self of the possession of certain OBJ
jects which she considered allies in
her contest with the world. There
were stove, few chairs, book or
two, table, some flowers
heliotrope aud bright oleander--that
had condescended to blossom from
the depths of broken jars and cracked
pitchers; some dishes which Annie
had tended so faithfully that their
every cleft and fissure was a part of
her mental vision, and gown or two,
rewards OF much brain -and-finger SER
vice.
They were all her own, and they
summed up her wealth, supplement
ed by pleasant presence of the
brownish order, capacity for work,
and lowliness OF heart that made no
exactions. She had been like child
satisfied with few sticks and stones
which it coniured into treasures. The
power Of comparison which makes SO
much of the light and shade of life
was still latent in Annie. She had
accepted the facts of her experience as
final, without question or reproach.
Now that she found herself alone and
penniless, staying by sufferance few
days in the old home, she felt no re-
sentiment against the Incidence aud
selfishness that had, in truth, de-
prived her of her birthright, but was
conscious of only loneliness aud
dread, as she sat close to the objects
that had gained a familiarity aud
friendliness through long companion
ship and service, and looked vaguely
out toward the unknown country
where she must somehow find home.
There was something in her face, as
the village people saw it at the win
dow, that made them think of lost
child, and their sense of its pathos
was..intensiiied by their knowledge of
her past.
She had turned again from recount
ing her treasures to her wide-eyed
stare upon the world, when there
came step on the porch and knock
at the door. Before she could rise
her caller had opened the door and
entered. She recognized him as
David Bruce, a distant neighbor of
hers, man some fifteen years older
than herself. He was n silent man
with great power of kindness, which
found expression in such stealthy
ways as made his favors seem more
like those of fairies than those of
mortal friend. A gold piece appear
ing anonymously upon some window
sill of house where its presence was
sorely needed, load of coal arriving
at some opportune moment, baskets of
fruit or flowers apparently depositing
themselves of their own free will and
accord, and an unusual shyness and
embarrassment in David when he met
the recipients of his gifts, were the
only evidences of his generosity.
Annie, not having the slightest
kindred feeling, did not understand
his self-conscious reticence. One
day, when she was little girl, she
had wandered up the street as far as
David's home, and after looking visit
fully long time at his sweet peas
growing near the fence, had finally
put out her hand toward them, not
with the purpose of taking any, but to
see if she could measure the distance.
Just at that instant David had hap
pened by. Annie had attempted to
explain. He had waited until she had
quite finished; then spoke a short,
disconnected homily, not calculated
to be very effective, on the temptation
involved i'll finding ont what wrong
things are within body's reach. :
She had gone away comfortless,
but on the next morning had found
great handful of sweet peas at her
door; nor had summer ever passed
without like offerings. Annie had ex.
pressed her pleasure with an elusive
ness that had driven him quickly
from her presence. She, seemed to
have a supply of gratitude in great
excess of the demand, and, like the
Ancient Mariner, to be seized ever
and anon by heartburnings till she
had told her story. Annie often won
dered at his silence, and the necessity
which caused him to make such haste
to the Postoffice. She wondered once
if he could have sweetheart to write
him letters, but put away the thought
as inappropriate.
He stood now in awkward silence,
while he stroked the head Of a gray
kitten lying in his arms. At last he
found voice enough to explain the ap-
pearance of the kitten.
'Tt followed me part way" he said,
"and l carried it the rest. It's mine.
found 1t, a lanky, wanderin' thing,