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, 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 ne was only
stunned"
"Then am safe?"
"You are, certainly. And quite a
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 a
very merry, light-hearted self 1 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,
good deal of blood about him, and his
head was bound up pretty tidily, if not
scientifically. He looked pale and
dazed and wretched, and 1 felt quite
ashamed of myself for the ruin I had
/ wrought.
What creatures of the moment most
women are, to be sure!
We only peeped in at the doc for a
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 adieux for us with
Kitty. But he came back that after
noon, and Margaret invited him to stay
to tea, because he had missed his break
fast. He did not refuse the invitation.
That was the beginning of gag
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, 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 court scene, in
which the professor and I seemed tC
igure largely, to the great delight oi
the public and his serene enjoyment.
was very broadly complimented for my
bravery and prompt action. and San
was sentenced and sent off to jail.
"Now, Fan, "said my father, who haG
come down to see me through the or
deal, al intend to take you home will
me, my fair lady / am inclined t.
think Sam was not the only victim o
your nights shooting, and the othel
may prove fatal. If it does, youwill b.
best out of the way"
"Wbat do you mean p asked
somewhat family.
"You know very we'll what / mean
You are inclined to be soft-hearted to
ward the sufferer, and I am not Yor
shall not marry Professor Jouvain, if
can help it."
We'll, you can't, said, coolly.
My father and were "cronies al
ways, and said what we pleased to eacl
other.
He looked at me intently, got up, ad
justed his glasses and then turned me
round for inspection.
ST think You mean it, he said, slow
ly. "And I had SUCH splendid chance
for you in New York |"
"Ihave had two or three myself"
replied. "But they were nothing t.
the professor. He is a man after ny
heart"
saw my fathers face redden will
mingled embarrassment, irritation anC
amusement, and turned hastily.
The professor stood just behind III
and bad heard every word.
l covered my face with my hands il
shame and confusion.
"Mr. Crawford" began the ploies
sor, instantly and coolly, sit will no
surprise you if enter upon this sub
ject, since your daughter has broacheC