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

ne Knows cOnSloeraOle, DuG MS lgnOr-
ance on other points is Dense"
With q gay laugh that seemed to
stir up shudGering echoes in the silence,
she took the case in her hand and went
out, shutting the door behind her.
It was large room, and somewhat
vault-like, l thought, in appearance.
There was a great Russian store of white
china in one corner that looked like
sarcophagus of an ecclesiological 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, thought. and haggle over
a few hundred rubles.
When one is the fortunate possessor
of such 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 have 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 snuffy appear
ance.
"Ahr' said the fat gentleman,
cheeIily, "and how are we by this
timer"
1 look at him in a puzzled way, and he
scrutinizes me.
"Where is the lady?" 1 ask, some
what impatiently.
1.-THE ladyP Oh, your wife thought
it would be pleasanter for her not to see
you again just at present. After few
days, when you are at home and
calmer."
"Calmer! What TIE deuce do YOU
meanP" 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; it
wrings my heart"
See here, 1 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, am Doctor Pierre Bernhoff."
"Where is your wifep"
He regarded me as one does trouble
some child, then lifted his eyes with
look above.
sin heaven"
"Good gracious! Do you mean to
say that did not drive up here with
your wife half-hour ago, and that she
did not show you q case containing ten
thousand rubles' worth of diamonds for
your decisionP"
"Ah, diamonds. !" said he, indulgently.
Yes, yes-so you did. But you must
have patience. She's gone now to show
them to the Cham of Tartary, whose
daughter is to wed tomorrow the Bashi-
Bazook OF ShiraZ, and will wear your
Jewels on her neck. Ha, hal Mashouka,
you must have help. This is no mild
case, as the lady represented"
Isaw the whole plot at glance. My
imbecile fancy had led me strai ght Into
it. ! cursed my own folly and began to
tell the doctor the truth as rapidly rs
possible; but saw it had no effect. /
begged him to send at once to Carnreis
& Shoveloff's for confirmation. knew
Alexis had not least idea of my where
abouts.
The doctor listened patiently, blandly
BILE certainty that he would do nothing.
Why should he trouble himself with the
vagaries of lunaticp
" If monsieur will be patient, it shall
all be edone-to-morrow, dare say"
Good Godg' / cried, sudden horror
striking terror to my heart. 81 am
to be married tomorrow
The doctor evidently regarded this as
q fresh outburst of insanity.
I" To be sure, to be sure,n he said,
soothingly; but it will all come right.
1t would have to be Put off any way,
for Madame Snippski has not finished
the wedding dress.h
"Oh, for heavens sakei'' / cried, in
the most abjeet terror 4" do not talk to
me in that style, or you will drive me
mad in earnestl Can you not see that
this woman was an adVenturess-that
this is a clever trick to rob us of ten
thousand rubles' worth of diamondsm
1T reminds me of the case we had
last fall-squint-eyed party--who had
been robbed of the Robinson" mur-
INJURED the doctor toithe nurse.
And then lost all command of N.Y.
self, and made mad effort to escape. l
flung myselfsudd agGinst the doctor
and doubled him up; but he old woman
flew on me like a tigress, and fought
tooth and nail. She was a powerful
creature, as were all the EMPLOYEES of
the place; and beneath the vast cush-
ions of fat were muscles of steel and
frame of iron. Then she never ceased
yelling for help, and, of course, was
overpowered in three moments, while
the doctor. recovering from his tempor-
airy collapse, glared at me rather vim
dictively, his face the color of rasp-
berry-jam from rage and pain. .
There was no hope of his listening to
anything after that, and / felt that my
chance was G, NJ. So allowed myself
to be led TO a bare cell and locked in. 4.
Then / had a chance for reflection.
The sun was going down. ] knew that
must spend the night there. and per-
haps many a night. How was / ever to
L. e. OhAwo1.Qc sr.I,