The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1880-08-04


he knows considerable, but his ignor-
ance on other points is Dense"
| With o gay laugh that seemed to
stir up shudLering echoes in the silence,
she took the case in her hand and went
out, shutting the door behind her.
| 1t was a large room, and somewhat
| vault-like, | thought, in appearance.
| There was great Russian store of white
china in one corner that looked like a
sarcophagus of an archaeological pat
tern, with pinnacle and spire. There
was much-gilded picture of st. Nicho-
las on the wall--that patron saint who
is found in every Russian house.
/ did not find much room for specu-
lation in that room, or food for thought.
Indeed, had gotten all through, and
was going the rounds again and again
rather impatiently.
! Perhaps the lady had not found the
| Herr Doctor, or he might be hesitating
about the price. Impossible to look
! in her face, l thought. and haggle over
few hundred rubles.
When one is the fortunate possessor
of such p ajewel-why, the door is locked
have just turned the knob with the in
tention of looking out to see if my en-
chantress is coming. | fall back in con-
sternation. What does it meanP
Before l have O chance to speculate
about its meaning, the door opens and
two persons enter. A stout man with
the complexion of kidney potato, and
a stiff little aureole of red hair. He
wears a green cloth suit with gilt but
tons, on which the imperial eagle
spreads itself.
The other individual is An old woman,
with three chins and q snuffy appear
ance.
"Ah! said the fat gentleman,
cheeIily, "and how are we by this
timer"
1 look at him in puzzled way, and he
scrutiniZes me.
"Where is the lady?" ask, some.
what impatiently.
1.-THE ladyP Oh, your wife thought
it would be pleasanter for her not to sec
you again just at present. After few
days, when you are at home and
"Calmer! What TIE deuce do you
meanP" l asked, turning fiercely on
him.
"There, there. Not the least use in
that; all in good time. She will come
never fear; / have seldom seen more
charming and affectionate creature.
cannot part with him." she said; ii
wrings my heart"
"See here, can't for the life of me
make out what you mean. Let me SEE
the doctor-Doctor Pierre Bernhoff."
The fat man shrugged his shoulders.
"Well, l am Doctor Pierre Bernhof.'
"Where is your wife?"
| He regarded me as one does a trouble
some child, then lifted his eyes with s
look above.
"In heaven"
"Good gracious! Do you mean tC
say that did not drive up here will
your wife half-hour ago, and that sht
did not show you case containing ter
thousand rubles' worth of diamonds fol
your decisionp"
"Ah, diamonds. :" said he, indulgently
eyes, yes-so you did. But you mus
have patience. She's gone now to SHOW
them to the Cham of Tartary, who's
daughter is to wed tomorrow the Bashi
Bazook OF Shiraz, and will wear you
Jewels on her neck. Ha, hal Mashouka
you must have help. This is no mile
case, as the lady represented,
saw the whole plot at glance. M
imbecile fancy had led me straight int
it. / cursed my own folly and began t
tell the doctor the truth as rapidly q
possible; but l saw it had no effect.
begged him to send at once to Carmel
& Shoveloff's for confirmation. knew
Alexis had not least idea of my where
abouts.
The doctor listened patiently, blandly
and assented to all. But felt horri
BILE certainty that he would do nothing
Why should he trouble himself with tn
vagaries of lunaticP
:" If monsieur will be patient, it sha
all be done-to-morrow, dare say"
"Good Godr' l cried, a sudden horro
striking terror to my heart. " / m
to be married tomorrow
The doctor evidently regarded this a
fresh outburst of insanity.
! "To be sure, to be sure" he said
soothingly; but it will all come right
1t would have to be PUT off any way
2 for Madame Snippski has not fnishe
the wedding dress"
2 "Oh, for heavens sakep l cried, /
the most abject terror, f" do not talk {
/ me in that style, or you will drive m
mad in earnest! Can yo1 not see tina
2 this woman was an adventuress-ths
this is a clever trick to rob US of te
4 thousand rubles' worth of diamonds?
lit reminds me of the case we ha
last fall-squint-eyed party--who ha
D been robbed of the Robinson" mui
INJURED the doctor to'the nurse.
=. And then | lost all command of my
= self, and made mad effort to escape.
flung myself suddenly agUinst the doctC
e and doubled him up; but he old woma
s flew on me like a tigress, and fougl
y tooth and nail. She was n powerfl
creature, as were all the employees
: the place; and beneath the vast cusl
s ions of fat were muscles Of steel and
: frame of iron. Then she never cease
}, yelling for help, and, of course, WI
overpowered in three moments, whi
t the doctor. recovering from his tempo
It AIRY collapse, glared at me rather vii
e dictively, his fIce the color of rasl
?, berry.jam from rage and pain.
There was no hope of his listening
e anything after that, and l felt that m
+ chance was G, n. So l allowed myse
e to be led to a bare cell and locked in.
Then l had chance for reaectioi
d The sun was going down. knew tn
le / must spend the night there. and pc
haps many a night. How was / ever