The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1898-03-02


room. There was his table bearing
the remnants of supper, while in an
opposite corner few boxes and some
bedding were stacked away.
"Well," he said, dryly, cts very
plain they have come TO stay"
Besides, remembering how Faith
always treated her company, closed
the door, and brought chair up to
the fireplace.
"Won't you have q seat an warm?"
she asked, looking into the young
mans handsome face.
''No, little one," he answered
quickly, but the severe expression on
his face changed to one of tenderness
as he gazed down into the pretty, in
nocent eyes of the tiny hostess. He
liked children, and, banishing for the
time being the thought that some of
her folks were doing him great un-
kindness in thus appropriating his
claim. he gave her a paper of mixed
candies, which he had bought at
Miley's. He had just received Bes-
sizes thanks when the door opened
anu Il dltn 6uteTeu bHS CbDlu.
The eyes of Faith Haskins and Rob
Wood met IN one long, searching
glance. She turned pale and leaned
back against the door. Rob was him
self at first too agitated to speak.
Recovering himself, however, he ap-
preached the girl.
"Faithi Faith Haskinsl" he cried.
''Is it, indeed, you2"
Eyes, Rob-" she managed to artio-
ulate. 81 never expected to see you
again"
She had struggle to keep the tears
back. The sight of Rob Wood had
brought the past all back and made
her feel strangely weak and un-
neIved.
"Come, Faith" said Rob, taking
her hand with touch that thrilled
her, ''sit down by the fire there and
tell me all about your life since you
left Illinois"
A few minutes later, when Clint
came in, he found Bessie sitting coz
lily on the knee of a fne-looking
stranger by the fireplace, while
Faith, in a chair opposite him, was
telling how they came to be there.
1t was about two hours later when
Ike and Jim returned with the mend
ed wheel. They were somewhat sur
prised to find Rob at the covered
wagon whistling away to himself, as if
he was the happiest man on those
prairies.
"Hello, Robl" they called. "Wot
of them claim-jumpers?"
They've got possession and are
going to keep it," he returned.
Then Ike and Jim laughed and Rob
joined in heartily.
"Well, boys, you've had your joke
and now I'll tell you how it's turned
out" said Rob. ''Back IN Illinois
this brave little woman, Faith Has
kins, and I went to school together.
Our parents were near neighbors and
we were lovers from childhood. But
her father didn't think l was much ac-
count for anything but to twang a
guitar or fiddle, SO when he started to
Nebraska with his family he told me
frankly his objections and that must
not think of Faith. But 1 did think
of her and went on loving her more
than ever. gave up my idle habits,
taught school few terms, then came
here and took this timber claim.
When 1 had q good home of my own
to offer her 1 intended to hunt Faiths
folks up and win her. 1t was chiefly
to get ON their track that went back
to my old home From one of the
neighbors l found out that Mr.. and
Mrs. Haskins were both dead and
Faith was still unmarried. That's why
1 hurried back. was going to make
things a little more comfortable at my
cabin. Then / was going up into Ne
braska to find Faith. But a kind
hand guided her to my cabin out of
the storm, aud neither she nor the
children shall suffer for the comforts
of this life as long as / am able to
work for them. l am going TO go
with them to their uncle's ranch on
the Arkansas River. But just as soon
as Faiths visit there is finished she is
coming back with me. You under
stand me, boys?"
"Wa-al, now, I'm not the dullest ole
grub-hoe on these prairies, reckon"
returned Ike, with grin. New York
Ledger.