The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1898-12-14

E.EA
the bearer of the
awful news had left her, too stunned
and shocked even yet to properly
realize all that the terrible tidings
might mean.
One hundred thousand dollars gonel
And the bank in somewhat embar-
rassed condition before! Worst Of
all, the banker himself Elsie's uncle
was away Elsie Maitland was
brave little woman, but somehow this
last dreadful thing had well-nigh
robbed her of her bravery.
A step behind her, and low voice
spoke her name. She knew it at
once; it was her good-for- nothing
brothers. Why had he come here
now, bringing fresh trouble? For the
first time in her life Elsie felt angry
with him.
"Why are you here again, Harold?"
she cried when he was standing there
in front of her. ''When 1 gave you
that last money you promised to stay
away altogether. and try to get some
thing to do. Yet here you are once
more, and this time 1 cannot help you.
Why, do you come? Uncle John
would be furious at finding you here. Z"
''But lie is away, Elsie" the young
man answered breathlessly. "Girlie,
you must help me, just this once. 1
promise solemnly never to worry you
again"
You have promised solemnly be-
fore, Harold" his sister said bitterly.
81 cannot help you, l say. We are
ruined The bank has been robbed"
The startled look on his white face
caused her to cease speaking.
sis it true, Elsie?" he asked
hoarsely. "Has the bank really been
robbed?"
She told him what she knew, he
listening impatiently.
81 must have money, girlie" he
burst out. ri must have i'll I must
get away from here tonight, and 1
don't possess single penny. Quick,
dear. Uncle left you some for house
keeping. That will have to do"
II don't possess penny, either"
she persisted ''What is the matter,
Harold? Why is it so terribly neces-
sary for you to leave Blackmors to-
night?"
Their eyes met--hers clear,
straightforward, honest; his weak
and nervous.
"Uncle will be coming back to see
about the bank, Elsie" he muttered
queerly. "He must not find me here"
No, it would only add to the bitter
ness of his return. But what could
she do?
"I have i'll" the desperate brother
suddenly exclaimed. "Elsie, this
news about the bank robbery is still
exclusive. The editor of the Black.
more Times would give you any sum
for it. He is enterprising, and al
ways ready for something startling at
first hand. This is our only chance,
dear"
But Elsie would not see it in that
light for q long, long time. 1t was
not until her brother had fully en-
larged on the grim necessity of the
case, not until he had forced her to
plainly understand the consequences
if he did not have money at once,
that she finally consented to go to the
editor of the Blackmore Times.
Harold Maitland had smart, cum
ming tongue; ON this occasion he had
indeed used it well. As he prophesied,
the editor literally. grabbed at the
copy" especially after he had fairly
convinced himself that his would be
the first paper to publish the startling
news on the morrow. Elsie went
YEARLY home with the mnch-needed
money in her pocket. Harold was
waiting in hiding for her, and pounced
down eagerly on the gold.
II
An hour after his departure their
ancle's manager came to the house,
snd asked to see Elsie. When he was
admitted into her presence he noticed
with sharp pang how wan and DESC
late her little face had grown.
Poor child Such things as these
we're hard for her to have to bear.
How he wished that he could save her
all care and annoyance in the futurel
For with the whole of his stout, loyal
heart he loved her.
He showed her telegram which he
had received from her uncle.
Returning at once, it said. keep
news of robbery ont Of the papers at
any price till 1 see you.
Elsie read the words, or, rather,
they chased each other before her
dizzy, aching eyes. She suddenly
tottered forward aud fell in dead
faint.
Next morning huge posters ap-
peared from the offices of the Black