The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1882-06-14


He proved to be an Englishman, and
the name engraved upon the card which
be presented me in the course of con
fersation was Romney Mordaunt, OF
Nordaunt Hall, Surrey. His destina-
ton was further than ours; anda at Reich.
thai, where we were to change car
riRges for Sachsenburg, we must sepa-
rate.
Lefty seemed to share heartily my
approval OF our traveling-companion,
and I almost wished she would not
smile upon him 80 contidingly, nor be-
witch him with her bright, half-saucY
speeches, for he was q stranger, after
ALL and might prove unworthy OF our
trust.
Gradually began to think myself
very poor chaperon for my pretty little
sister, and / tried to look fierce and
forbidding, but it was no use, and my
furtive plucks and nudges at Lefty
were quite Intellectual. When l fiat
t. red myself I was looking swful!y
grim, she actually put out her pretty
pink palm at Mr.. Mordaunts request
to have her fortune read.
The time sped very quickly, and
shortly before our arrival at Reichthal,
our companion began to tell us some
amusing stories OF his life in the Indian
Jungle. He showed us curious little
whistle that had often served him to
signal his lost companions, which had a
curious shrill, bird-like tone, unlike
anything of the kind we had heard
before.
AS Lefty was returning Mr.. Mordaunt
the whistle-a pretty little silver toy
that she much admired-he said
"Please keep it, Miss Weir, as a
souvenir of one more idler whom fate
has thrown in your way. Imagine tn at
it is charmed, and if you are in dis
tress q note from the whistle would
bring me to the rescue-if 1 am worthy
that honor--as Oberon few to the as
sistance Of Huon."
Lefty could not refuse the little gift
so gracefully rendered, and her evident
pleasure in it seemed to reward Mr..
Mordaunt three-fold.
At about IL o'clock at night l heard
the guard call out Reichthal ~ with
great regret, for here we must lose oui
amusing companion, and / could sec
plainly that the pleasantest part of the
Journey was over for him.
At Reichthal we made an unwelcome
discovery; we had missed connection
with the Sachsenburg train, and t.
reach our destination we would have tC
wait till o'clock in the morning o
the next day.
"What will you do in the meantime p
asked Mr.. Mordaunt 81 have tel
minutes before my train goes; if
could be OF any service to you abou
engaging a room at the hotel, or in an.
other way, / should be most happy"
81 think, Helen, n would be bette
not to go to hotel" said Lefty; "w,
should never wake up for the o'clocl
train if we went to bed, and we can
waste so much time waiting for tn
next train.
eyes," answered, "we could ge
some refreshments here and spend tn
remainder Of the night in the waiting
room-it is not quite five hours"
Our funds would not admit of mucl
extravaganza on the trip, as the allow
ance papa had given us had dwindleC
during his prolonged absence, and
, was glad of Letty's economical sugges
, tion. Something in Mr.. Mordaunt'
manner gave the idea that he did no
approve quite of our plan, but he wa
toe polite to say anything against il
He ordered waiter to attend us, in
/ qnired if we would be allowed to pas
the night in the waiting-room, brough
US a favorable answer, and then, as tn
locomotive whistled sharply, ne II
, luctantly took his leave, and disappeare
in the darkness.
81 wish he had staid with us-it
4 so lonely in this strange place." sal
! Lefty, with little shiver.
Nonsense, child 1t would hay
been obtrusive and indelicate of him
give us so much of his society; "
never saw him before to day, and wh
, should he alter his plans for us?"
. spoke boldly-but !, too, felt d.
= serted and forlorn in the little railwa
\ coffee room; a language l but indi
I ferently understood being spoken abol
me mot familiar face to be seen bI
!. Letty's frightened one, and midnigl
o just past.
We were the only women in I'll
a place, and I did not fancy the look
!. the men lowering about. Some wel
"a playing cards in corner, and othe
,f sat silently over tall glasses of bee
giving us furtive glances which l trie
|. to ignore.
t. "Letty, you ought not to wear thi
n ring on journey, or, if you will We
n it, you ought to keep your glove o
g it is very tempting to a thief" I sal
is nervously, as the light caught Lefty
il diamond-papa's present on her brit
day-while she put back her veil, al
r made my eyes ache with its sparkle.
N At that moment saw the ugly, da
te face of a man close against the windC
or pane outside watching us intently.
10 turned away quickly as he saw me loo
s. ing at him, but had time to note h
i'd heavy, rough beard, unkempt hair al
le coarse big throat
IN The horrible thought seized me th
he had seen Letty's ring, and won