The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1880-01-14


so closely gave her vague, painful
feeling of solitude and desolation which
not long ago was utterly unknown to
her.
The carriage glittered by, and Joan
loped softly along the woody road,
soundless with thick carpet of pine
needles.
She made circuit, and came back to
the main road.
Suddenly unusual sounds attracted
her attention. A crash and violent
screams reached her ear, and rs she rode
forward, n strange sight burst upon her
view.
The carriage had gone over an en-
bankment and was perfect wreck; the
horses lay prostrate- one of them killed,
the other struggling desperately, but
unable to rise; and prone beneath the
broken vehicle was stretched the sense
less body of the dark, handsome man.
Over him bent the girl, screaming no
longer, but sobbing violently.
Delicia slipped from her horse, and
was at her side some moments before
she realized her presence.
Wallace! Wallacel For heavens
sake, speak to mel You cannot--you
cannot be deadP Oh, dear Wallace
see, it is little Alta Only speak to me ~
Then, with a despairing cry, the young
girl fell upon the pulseless breast.
Then, starting to her feet to look
about for help apparently, she saw
Delicia.
Oh" she gasped, snatching at her
arm, Look at him see, ia he dead ?
| The carriage fell upon him, while II
am not hurt at all. oh, heaven, what
shall l dop"
The white, still face told Delicia that
the man at her feet would never breathe
again.
Hearing wheels, she sprang back into
the road, and encountered old David
-Grcen and his son. the keepers of the
| village hotel.
Su Umoned to view the scene, they
disentangled the senseless body, placed
1t in the carriage, and:turned to Delicia
| for further directions.
Get a doctor Immediately that YOU
reach the village, Mr.. Green. | will
take this young lady home with me, and
bring her back to the hotel as soon as
can put Joan to the phaeton. Come
] with me, my poor child-1 will take
care of you," 10 the petite, white-faced
girl; and throwing her riding-skirt
more closely over her arm, she led Joan
| by a shortcut through the fields, back
TO Wheatlands.
BY the way she red to question her
companion; but the girl, almost trans
poIt ted with grief, made such incoherent
| replies that she could only learn that
she had been riding since the middle of
the previous night, that they were on
their way to Conway. that they intend
ed o be married there
Were you were you" said Delicia,
gently, in involuntary amaze, running
away from your friends ?"
A lta nodd ID.
e." From my brother, Guy Vannevar.
He did not like Mr.. Munroe. Yes, we
were TO be married against his will,
and now-oh, Wallace, Wallacem
Throwing Joan's bride over the gate
post, Delicia led the trembling girl to
TN" door. 1t was locked.
The KEY hung in the secret place
known only to the family, for Aunt
Thankful had at last executed prom.
ise TO visit sick neighbor some quar-
ter of mile distant. Bob had not yet
returned, for it wanted still an hour till
noon.
To Delicia's CONSERVATION, the un-
happy girl no sooner entered the warm
parlor than she tainted.
With the strength of excitement, she
lifted her in her arms and bore her into
an inner room, where, placing her upon
bed, she unfastened her dress, bathed
her temples and chafed her hands.
At length Alta Vennevar again drew
her breath.
Passing through the hall to procure
restorative, Delicia saw man Just in
the act of vaulting upon Joan: 1t was
not Bob, though the saddle had been
rQnnUpd N 4
was man in a ragged coat, evidently
tramp.
With flash in her blue eyes, Delicia
stepped back, and, snatching a silver
mounted revolver from shelf, threw
wide the hall-door and fired.
The bride fell from the mans right
hand, and Joan-three steps beyond the
gate-stopped.
To Delicia's surprise, the man in
stantly dismounted, and, turning quickly
toward her, lifted his hat.
am effectually stopped, young lady;
but, believe me, did not intend to steal
your horse, and certainly left an equiva-
lent. though now in sorry condition"
Bewildered still more by the courteous
words and cultured tone, Delicia turned
in the direction the stranger pointed
with his left hand, and saw within the
yard a dusty buggy ana painting horse.
am trying TO overtake my young
sister, who has eloped with scoundrel," ="
said the man, " no was both young and
handsome, land my horse broke down
hopelessly just before 1 reached your
door. Otherwise, in less than an hour
should have probably overtaken my
sister before she was married and her
life ruined. So near the object of my
long and desperate drive, could not be
baked of its object for want of horse.
knocked three times at your door, in
tending to beg or hire yours, which /
saw, fresh, standing at the gate, but for
some reason could summon no living
being. Knowing that my horse was
more than equal yours in value. thoue h
now almost killed by hard driving, re-
solved to take him, and. after overtak-
ing the man who is running away from
me, to instantly restore yeur property to