The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1882-07-12

denly slipped away into vast blank.
When ] saw Margaret's pale face close
to mine, and felt some ones hands
moving across my forehead, and some
ones strong grasp on my hands, l knew
that had tainted for the first time in
my life, and knew why.
"Oh, Margaret !" cried, family.
But it was the professor who an
swered me, bending over me, and cheer
ing me with his voice and eyes.
"The man is all right, Miss Fannie.
You did hit him, but he was only
stunned"
"Then am safe?"
"You are, certainly. And quite
heroine. AS soon as you are able, if
you wish, you shall see your prize,
although he is not beautiful to look
upon"
Margaret kissed and petted me for a
few minutes longer, and the professor
held my hands and chafed them me-
chanically. was myself again, and
very merry, light-hearted self / felt
after that terrible burden of blood and
death.
1 looked up at the professor and
laughed. He loosed my hands sudden
ly, and stood up very straight.
"Will you come now and see Sam
Prout in the flesh ?" he said, with an
effort to appear unembarrassed.
We went. The farmers were keeping
guard over poor Sam in the dining
room, while awaiting the constable's
arrival.
he was sitting in great chair, lean.
ing his head against the chimney piece,
q very much used-up man. There was
good deal of blood about him, and his
head was bound up pretty tidily, if not
scientifically. He looked pale and
dazed aud wretched, and l felt quite
ashamed of myself for the ruin had
wrought.
What creatures of the moment most
women are, to be surel
We only peeped in at the doc for q
few seconds, and then went back to the
east room. OF course we were too ex-
cited to think of rest. The professor
had been thrown too close to our inner
lives to seem strange, and we sat over
the fire chatting as cozily as friends OF
years. He told US how he came to be
on hand, riding home from lecture in
a neighboring town in order to COM
plete some work at the college early
the next day land which, by-the-bye
he seemed to have forgotten), and we
told him every incident and throb of
feeling during our experience.
We saw Sam Prout off in state, and
then went to bed.
The professor and young FARMER
from the adjoining place volunteered to
remain until morning, and were made
comfortable before the fire in the east
room.
Left to himself, the professor remem-
bered his task, and did set off at day
break, leaving his Rdieux for us with
Kitty. But he came back that after
noon, and Margaret invited him to stay
to tea, because he had missedhis break
fast. he did not refuse the invitation.
That was the beginning of gay
season. We were the bellies of the
county, and had admiring and awe
struck visitors from all quarters.
How many times we went through
the recital of our night of terror, I dread
to think. Every nail-hole and paint
scratch about that window remains
photographed upon my mental vision
Then there came the trial of Sam
Prout, and we had a court scene, in
which the professor and / seemed tt
tigure largely, to the great delight ot
: the public and his serene enjoyment.
was very broadly complimented for ny
bravery and prompt action, and San
was sentenced and sent off to Jail.
"Now, Fan, said my father, who ha(
4 come down to see me through the or
deal, "I intend to take you home will
me, my fair lady l am inclined t.
8 think Sam was not the only victim 0
8 your nights shooting, and the othe
. may prove fatal. If it does, youwill b
best out of the way"
4 "What do you mean ?" 1 asked
somewhat family.
!, "You know very we'll what l mean
!, You are inclined to be soft-hearted to
{ ward the sufferer, and 1 am not. YoI
shall not marry Professor Jouvain, if
Q can help it."
t "Well, you can't, 1 said, coolly.
q My father and I were "cronies" al
9 ways, and said what We pleased to eacl
other.
Q He looked at me intently, got up, ad
! iusted his glasses and then turned m
. round for inspection.
"I think you mean it, he said, slow
Q ly. sand 1 had sucha splendid caanc
P for you in New York II
II have had two or three myself,
: replied. But they were nothing t.
The professor. He is a man after M
heart"
: saw my fathers face redden witt
mingled embarrassment, irritation ant
!, amusement, and I turned hastily.
: The professor stood just behind u
J. and had heard every word.
}. covered my face with my hands il
d shame and confusion.
Mr.. Crawford" began the profes
Q sor, instantly and coolly, "it will no
4 surprise you if enter upon this sub
: jecf, since your daughter has broache'
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