The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1883-02-21

al don't know whether l like it or
not" she said, doubtingly.
"That's because you have not tried
it sufficiently" he said. "You must
smell it for. & minute or two; you'll
like it theaf'T Z ';
So.Eatie.f6Sk, aisSher good snuff,
and.then another. TTaen she began to
experience a queer, faint sensation.
How strange things were looking
around her Was this curious per-
fume too strong for her? Had it gone
to her head? She felt confused and
dizzy, and did not seem TO see anything
clearly save the peddler's great black
eyes, fixed so 'keenly upon hers. He.
gently put hef'intO the armchair, to-
ward which she began TO stagger.
at is. a beautiful scent" he said,
the words sounding in her ear like
faint murmur, "but it has been little
strong for your nerves, lady; but you
must take some more of it to revive
you"
He poured some of it on her hand
kerchief and held it to her face, and
Katie Denison fell back in the large
chair and lost her senses. She had
been wishing something would hap
pen, bad or good, and it had happened
with vengeance.
When she came to herself the sun
had gone off the window, the hands
of the clock were approaching six
her handkerchief, all crumpled to-
gether, lay on the carpet, and neigh
Dor who lived half mile off was
standing over her.
"Where am II" exclaimed Katie, in
confused bewilderment. "What is the
matter?"
"That is what 1 want to know
what the matter is, replied Miss Lake
a capable young woman with a merry
tongue. 81 came down to take tea
with you this evening, sans ceremonie,
for know you are always glad to see
me, and 1 walk in here at your open
doors and find you asleep, Us thought
at first. But could not awake you,
J Mrs. Denison."
Katie's head was aching terribly
: she put her hand up to her brow.
What was it all-what allied her-why
was she feeling so strange? Miss
Lake gently pushed back her hair and
began to fan her hot face. RecOllec-
tion gradually returned to her. Where
was the peddler-was he gone? And
, where-Katie started up with a cry
; and snatched her apron off the table
/ Nothing was under it. No silver
: spoons were there, no jewels, no bank
e notes; even the desk was gone. Every
individual thing had been swept a
/ clean away as if it had never had plac,
v in the room.
"The peddler, the wicked peddler ?
shrieled Katie. "He has taken i
8 ALL"
Mary Lake thought her friend
y head was wandering; that the intens
n heat had affected it.
:. "Stay you quietly in the chair" sh
}; said, pushing her back into it witt
d gentle force. "YOu shall have a cul
of tea directly. I'll go and help Jan
:, to make some"
S "Mary, wait p sobbed Katie, put
# ting out her hands. "Oh, wait-lis
It ten Jane is not here to-day, an,
r, there's no one to get anything. An,
S that dreadful man has gone off wit
= the money and the silver. 1t was tw
e. hundred and forty pounds"
e "I'll get the tea myself, then, AM
have it in jiffey," cheerfully an
E. swered Miss Lake, quite ignoring tn
n other information. You only 81
still where you are"
Il Bewildered yet, Katie sat still; sh
n was not quite herself at present.
In a short time George Denise
70 came in, whistling gleefully, and muc
10 wanting his tea. But he found n
~ y tea-tray on the table. and Katie in III
y, Fchair, sobbing as il. her heart w0bb
break.
4. "Halloal Why, Katie, what
70 amiss?"
~ She stretched out her arms to hin
n and laid her wet face upon his shou
~ der, while she told him the tale. Mis-
= Lake came in with the tea things &
the time. She gave a side nod
-, George and a significant look, Z
= much as to say, cher mind is wandeI
~ ing" He took the same view of it.
:, "But indeed it is.true,' sobbed tn
- =, young wife, when she detected thei
- unbelief. 81 only wanted to tran
~ 40 plant the rose bush-George knows
D. have intended to do it-and l foun
the desk buried under it, Look /;
no the mold upon the newspaper if yo
"a won't believe me. And 1 got it opeI
!" and it had Aunt AIMS spoons an
n Jewels in it and two hundred pounds
OF The poor rose bush was lying on tn
ed ground, sure enough, and by its sic
o. was a huge hole.
le, "There must be something in
Is after ALL" said George. "Itmay real
air be Aunt AIMS lost desk. A peddlel
OF l wonder which way the fellow h'
gomez"
"Stay," cried Mary Lake, as he vi
turning TO the garden gate. Il met