The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1880-02-25

himself, "my host must have quarreled
this evening with his sister as well as
his wife, or she has, perhaps, been OPP
posed to the whole entertainment. /
could not have imagined such a want of
politeness in French party"
The host muttered something about
his sisters studious habits that sounded
like an apology, and then led Ray to a
couple of military gentlemen who were
playing chess. Chess-players, in criti-
cal state of the game, may be excused
for not interTupting themselves; still,
our young friend felt exceedingly un-
comfortable at not receiving the least
nod from these absorbed gentlemen. He
begged his host not to trouble himself
with further introductions.
There was n strange stiffness in the
room, which, together with the flicker
| ing light and cool atmosphere, seemed
to curdle his blood. He fancied there
was blush tinge to the slender spears
OF flame that came from each wax
candle.
He sat down and began to run his
| hands over the piano. He had never
played to such rapt audience before.
| Whether it was Auber or Donizetti, Mo-
zart or Verdi, there was not a murmur
net a whisper-not ripple of COM
ment. Grave and gay fell on their ears
alike.
The unearthly stiffness appalled, him.
He felt as if he had been transported into
a world of spirits, as if he breathed the
cold, damp air of charnel vault. And
yet the beautiful woman, about whom
he had dreamed all day, seemed sub
stantial enough. Her perfect hand,
pink-lined like q sea shell, dimpled like
! child's, lay almost within his reach.
Would nothing rouse his frozen audi
enceP He ratified off a gay waltz that
might have set Quakers dancing, but
there was no sound. His hand shook in
turning q leaf. He was really growing
alarmed at the unearthly stiffness. The
| leaf fiutterqd to the ground. In stoop-
| ing to pickSit up his hand touched that
of his silent hostess.
Her hand was cold as icei
He started to his feet with a cry. No
one moved even then, but the host, who
hurried toward him.
"Do not be alarmed" he said; cit is
nothing. / should have explained be-
fore. But have lived with these dear
friends SO long, l am apt forget that they
are-only wax. l have had them
modelled with exquisite care. My wife
here was passionately fond ofmusic and
| uTlVlDS. l. SIlll lHuulRc ueI, anu udkt
her my companion-in wax. This is a
most perfect likeness of the beloved one
who died ten years ago. My sister was
a novel-reader. still supply her with
the latest publications. Those gentle
men-dear friends-were noted chess
players. So have their images in wax
engaged in the game. So were other
friends who have departed. l keep
their memory green. surround myself
with the past. I look into familiar
faces. relieve the years that are gone
Otherwise should be a desolate and
lonely man. All, must you go. trust
you have not received a shock. You
will admit that the images are like life. ,
Looking into the face of the mild luna
tic, Ray said he must go, and, taking
his fee, hurried away from the ghostly
company, taking himself severely tC
task for having been half in love with {
gigantic wax doll. But the deception
had been so skillfully worked out.
Of course he won the five hundred
francs, and made new start in life. So
after all, he had no reason to complain
| of the "Oueer PARTY"