The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1874-11-25

In one Of these sheltered openings
Mr.. Haviland had built a cottage,
planted acres of small fruits and
peach orchard now just coming into
bearing. placing all under the charge
of q trusty man iu his employ.
His western interests demanded long
and frequent absences from home, and,
having ia,len in love with western life
he had, in the last year, built pretty
house, and brought bis family to
Waneta.
Had Agnes Haviland understood
the character of part of her route, she
would lave looked long for messen-
ger befose she would have undertaken
the ride but she gave very little
thought 70 the horse-thief stories, hur.
ried on her trim riding habit of navy
blue, perched her little plumed cap
over the feathery b.own curls with
their CLINT of gold, and gathered up
her long skirt to hasten down stairs,
but, on second thought turned back
and took from her drawer little toy
of a pocket. pistol with which she
sometimes amused herself in firing at
mark. "a H#.FgE NF
In few moments she was canter-
ing down the carriage.way, on her
spirited iron gray, leading her fathers
glossy chestnut by the bride, Melissa
Briggs protesting to the last.
Have YOU stole hoss? Coin to
run him off into Injianny ?" The
speaker was old Capt. Billings, and
Aggie dashed on, laughing.
For time the ride was delightful.
Over smooth roads, past cultivated
farms, the horses dashed on abreast,
seeming to grow more spirited and am
bilious for the chase across the green
country in the golden autumn air.
But now the dwellings were less and
less frequent, and by the time she
reached the belts of timber she con.
fessed to hersolf feeling of nervous
ness. The sun was getting low, and
the forest road looked lonely. She
.traversed about two miles of the woods.
when the horses spraDg aside, startled
by the sudden apparltion Of two men
muddy and rough looking, with guns
Aggies heart gave great leap, and
thoroughly frightened, she urged on
the horses a: flying pace; but the
men only raised their hats, one o
them with easy grace, the other bow
ing with all the grace of Il French
man. .-H
"Ouly hunters" thought Agnes
ashamed of her cowardice.
"By Jove! Fernand! who woulC
have expected such vision as tina
in this wilderness? She must be bounc
for the plantation we came upon thi
; morning"
"No doubt, mon ami"
"Those we're vicions looking scoun
drels we saw stealing through th
timber while ago. Suppose we strik
across here and see that she passes tn
: creek safely.
) "Wlz all my heart" responded mon
:, sieur.
;, Coming to the little stream, Agne
slapped to let the horses drink.
was pretty place; the shallow waite
= clear and limpid, the banks covere'
c with close underground of bushes,
blaze of cardinal flowers in the marsh
!. islets.
t Tired by rapid riding, she rested
few minutes, leaning over to watch th
:, tiny fish darting here and there, quit
If unconscious of the Unlocking fgur
4 lurking behind tree near by, an
II hidden by the bushes.
"Ha'n't you stole hoss, miss ?
It Aggie started. almost expecting to Sc
l. Capt. Billings, but beholding a mos
vllainous looking individual instea,
e Looks powerfully ike it, he contir
ued, passing his arm through tn
d chestnut's bridle-reip and grasplng th
other.
"You are mistaken, sir, said Agne
quietly, 81 am on my way to my tatl
is er's farm" ..
e Cant believe you, my beaut,
Reckon I'll have to set you down "
l. and take the hosses."
"You will do no such thing p erie
{. Agnes, reused and feerless now, in Il
g face of real danger. LET go IN
bride or I'll fire on you'll" DRAWN
a her little revolver. --l4
claw II said the man, with a gril
10 confident that she would not fire will
rs out further warnirg,
Il shall not hesitate if you don
!" drop that bridlel" she said, takir
aim. But the words were scarceI
,e spoken when her arm was seized vii
an iron grip, and another wicked fat
i. leered up ct her.
|. "Let go, you coward !" cried she.
l. "Pritty good grit" said be. "Bil
le Ireekon we'll take the gal along viii
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