The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1898-02-02
OF NO PARTICULAR FAMILY.
BY MRS. M. CORBET SEYMOUR.

Louis. 81 would not, until 1 had
spoken to you and to my father. But
if may not marry Winnie-and
shall never marry without your con-
sent-I shall go through life as a
single man."
And then he asked them not to op-
pose his going away for awhile; at
least until tho girl had finished her
stay at the Grange.
"Do not notice his departure, or
question him." said Mrs. Marriott to
the rest of her family. 'Louis is be-
having manfully and honorably, just
as should expect him to do"
It was Christmas before he came
back again. A long absence this for a
honIe-loving Marriott. And he had
changed, too; changed into grave
and thoughtful man.
He only referred to Winnie by beg
ging his mother to let that be sealed
subject.
"But don't allow it to interfere with
Ursula's friendship, he said. "Wini-
fred is very solitary girl. 1t will be
kind of you to ask her now and than
to the Grange, and at such times 1
will always go away-unless you and
my father change your minds and tell
me you can welcome her as my wife.
Several months passed by, during
which Ursula exchanged several let
ters with her friend. She generally
read Winnies news aloud, for the
benefit of the family, at the breakfast
table; the impression of every one was
that the girl seemed less happy at the
French school after that one summers
stay in England.
"I know now what home is like, :"
she wrote once, "and L envy you,
Ursula"
As August drew near it was evil
dent that Louis grew restless. He
wanted Winnie to be invited to the
Grange even though the invitation
would involve his own absence; but
his parents said they could not spare
him. They begged him, for their
sakes to remain for the family gath
erings usual during the holiday
months. By this time Mrs. Marriott
would gladly have yielded to Louis
wish; she could not bear to see him so
unhappy; but Mr.. Marriott was i'm
movable. He would not countenance
an unequal marriage.
One day early in September tele-
graph boy arrived at the Grange. He
brought message from the lady di-
rectress of the French school to the
effect that Miss Ware was dangerously
ill and not expected to live. But she
had so earnestly begged that some one
from the Grange would go over to her,
that it was thought better to communi
cate this wish. If complied with, not
an hour must be lost should her friends
desire to see her in life.
"My poor boy!" said Mrs. Marriott,
reading the telegram; and then she
handed it to Louis, who turned white
to the lips as he glanced toward his
father.
''I must go, he said.
"Certainly. We will go together,
said Mr.. Marriott, as he turned TO time
table which always had its place among
his papers, aud began studying it,.
eff one of the girls can pack port
manteau in ten minutes" he added,
1--WE shall be able to catch the next
boat from Dover"
In quarter of an hour father and
son jumped into the dog-cart which
waited to take them to the station.
Three days later, letter bearing
the French postmark was received at
the Grange. 1t was from Mr.. Mar
riot, and only consisted of few lines
They had found Winifred extremely
ill, he said, but SO pleased to see them
that he felt quite touched She had
asked for some one from the Grange
because she had no other friends
Louis was behaving admirably in his
calm self-control.
A second letter told rather more. 1t
seemed that influenza had made its
appearance in the school, and Winnie
was not only one of the first but one
of its worst victims She had, how
ever, got over the attack; but instead
of becoming convalescent she grew
alarmingly weak, and the doctor spoke
frankly of her danger. Some mental
trouble was preying on the girls vi
tality, he decided, aud her state was
critical.
When she heard that hope for her
was very small she seemed rather glad
than otherwise, and begged that some
one from the Grange might be sum
moned by telegram. In this letter
Mr.. Marriott said that her life was still
] trembling in the balance. The mere
fact of surviving SO long was a slightly
hopeful sign, but he could speak with
more confidence in a few days.
The next letter told that the corner
was turned; Winnie would live unless
any relapse occurred.
! IE'We cannot leave her until her re-
I covery is quite certain" said Louis's
father this time. st seems snch q
/ comfort to her to know that We are near
! =. ......nL.. -. l...-....- IL.