Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1900-09-20

expected news OF FRANK departure.
crushed end humiliated by the insult
of Mr.. Sangster's words and caress.
the girl found her way to the room
where Mrs. Dudley was waiting to help
her change her dress for the dance
that was to follow the theatricals.
Mother, is 1t true?'
rs what true, darling?" she asked
nervously, in return, alarmed at the
girls white face and scared look.
THAT Frank has left me--has gtne
away-and not alone?'
In silence Joan listened as Mrs Dud-
ley told her how only that morning
she had received letter from Frank
Clements, telling her he was to start
that very day on yachting tour with
his friend, Mr.. Dnncombe.
You will know" he had written,
that 1t is your daughters wish our en-
gagement should be broken, and there
fore there is nothing can do but sub
init; but l cannot leave England with
out writing to thank you for all the
kindness you have ever shown me-"
II said l hoped l would never be his
wife, but didn't mean it, mother: for
! love him with all my heart" Then,
folded in her mothers loving arms,
Joan told with much bitterness the
story of her wilfulness, and the angry
words she had spoken at their last
believe me. He knew ! loved him,
meeting. But 1t was cruel of him to
and that l was only angry"
write and tell him this yourself.
Joan. Don't wreck your happiness
from sense of false PRIDE" urged
her mother; but to humble her pride.
confess herself to have been in the
wrong. and ask forgiveness, was not
easy all at once to spoilt, wilful Joan.
No one can overcome the habits of
lifetime in moment. and Joan was
no exception to the rule. She waited
and hoped, was now repentant and
humble. again proud and wilful. Some
would. And so the days passed until
there came one on which tidings
reached Rosemount that broke down
for ever the last remnants of Joan's
pride and wilfulness.
The wreck of Mr.. Duncombe's yacht.
the Waterwitch, with the loss of all
on board. was reported in the papers,
and Joan bowed her head and felt
that her punishment was greater than
she could bear. Yet the girl found
that she had to bear the burden of her
sorrow, for grief does not kill the
nd fn fr
be followed and daily duties done, but
Joan's bright color faded and her eyes
grew dim with weeping. and the girls
gay spirits were sobered and chastened,
not only by the sorrow of her loss. but
by the remembrance that never left
her. of the false. cruel words that she
had spoken to her lover at their last
meeting. If only she could tell him
how bitterly they We're repented of,
how true her love for him had really
been. the weary heartache might be
lesSened. But it was too late now
the opportunity had been lost forever.
The thought that she had departed
from him with lie upon her lips, that
he had died believing her false. haunt
ed her continually; and she was so sad
and detected that the mothers kind
heart ached with pity and sympathy.
and she would gladly have welcomed
back some of the old wilful spirit.
The long spring day was fading into
twilight as Joan stood, her arms rest
ing upon the rails that divided the
flower garden from the orchard. every
tree in which was now flushed and
beautiful with blossoms. Dreaming.
she watched the rays of the dying sun
set as they faded one by one away.
watched until the first faint star
peeped out in the darkening sky.
How quiet and calm ii is. like the
silent land where Frank now is. and
from which there is no return, spite OF
all our wishes and all our prayers
As Joan said this she turned. to see
coming towards her through the fast
gathering shadows of evening the form
she had thought never again to see
the form of Frank Clements. Her
prayers had been answered Another
opportunity to win forgiveness and
peace had been given her. With low
cry she stretched out her hands to him
Frank. Frank. forgive me. My last
words To you Were false. loved you
then as now. Frank. forgive" She
then fell senseless to the ground.
Mother, God has let me see him.
Frank knows now that love him, and
always did" whispered Joan. with re-
turning consciousness
God has indeed been merciful 10 us
all. Tell her yourself, Frank, how"
AS Joan struggled up. strong arms
We're thrown fondly round her, and the
wellknown and well-loved voice Of
Frank Clements whispered
I'VE will thank Him together. my
darling. will we not =
II had been no spirit that had come
To Joan In the gloaming. but living
iiesh and blood The Waterwitch had
truly been wrecked, hut those on board