The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1885-05-13

w nSH dSh5il ueI, InOuBu, sue lOlu ulC
confidentially that she did not. AS l
rode home, | tried to recall Jassamine's
looks and expressions since the doctor
had challenged me, but comparing them
with her previous actions, / could de-
tect no change l could disguise it
from myself no longer. l loved the
girl. As neared the house, l saw her
walking along the path toward large
spring that flowed from the foot of the
hill. tied my horse and joined her.
shall never forget the golden light of
that evening, falling on her hair. l
made numerous experiments in trying to
work myself to a point where | could
suddenly break off and make a dcclara-
tion of my love, but my tongue was not
eloquent. My mind was a6re, but its
tiues were choked. Finally, with des-
perate effort said:
''NIiss Jassamine, love you"
She stopped, looked at me calmly and
replied: "You have made a mistake,
haven't you2"
ooh, no, how could make a mistake ?
How could anyone make q mistake in
loving you2"
al don't know, but do know that
did make a mistake in loving you.
Keep away from me. No, you shall
not take my hand 1 loved you once
because ! thought you were brave and
chivalrous. suppose if Gray had in
suited me you would have refused his
challenger"
II would have killed him on the spot. {"
every likely. No, Mr.. Brindon, it is
useless to talk to me of love. cannot
marry a man who refuses a challenge"
GLOW can one so fair be so blood
thirsty?"
at is not blood -thirstiness. It is love
of chivalry."
"You are a curious girl. Good even.
ing"
Late one evening Jassamine and were
strolling in the woods not far from her
fathers house. ] had not spoken to her
of love since the time of her refusal.
knew that she would never alter her de-
cision, for l could read determination in
every expression of her face.
"Let us return. We have walked far
enough"
"No, let us go to the brow of the hill
and look down on the river.
had scarcely finished the remark
when four men sprang from behind an
enormous log Each man wore a mask.
Jassamine tremblingly grasped my arm.
"What do you wantl" demanded,
drawing brace of pistols.
"We have come after that woman?"
replied one of the men.
Raising both pistols / fired in rapid
succession. The rascals fired at me, but
luckily their shots took no effect. Jas
samine tainted Just as the rutfians closed
upon me in hand hand encounter.
When she regained consciousness the
ruffians had gone. She looked up CRATE.
fully, and when supported her in my
arms she placed her head on my breast.
All, delightful moment of love.
81 have judged you hastily" she said,
as we drew near the house. 'eYour
bravery surpasses anything had ever
hoped to see."
kissed her.
The entire country rang with my
praises. There were no sensational daily
papers in those days. or / would have
been indeed far-famed hero. The
Judge took me warmly by the hand when
/ told him how loved Jassamine, and
SAID.
"You have made a noble fight, my
boy. When you presented those letters
of recommendation, | knew that you
were generous and brave, even though
others thought differently. | have for
some time known that Jassamine loved
you, but l knew that with her foolish
ideas of chivalry, she would not marry
YOU after your refusal of the challenge
unless you could do something to redeem
yourself.
Jassamine and / were married with
great ceremony. All the neighbors were
invited. Wrole calves were barbecued;
and it seemed whole distilleries were
turned loose. Shortly after our marriage
we moved to Little Rock, then flour
ishing town. My business prospered,
and within a year l owned we'll fur
nished house.
One day, about six years after our re-
moval to Little Rock, Jasper Patterson.
with whom I had been intimate during
the days of my courtship, paid me a
visit. l was delighted to see him, and
late at night he and l sat in the library
| talking over old times, as we termed the
first days of our acquaintance. The lamp
was burning low. We sat by the fire.
place. My wife had gone to bed, l
! thought, but l afterward discovered that
4 she was DOING on the sofa.
IL never saw anything work so well, +"
said Jasper. "You not only secured a
wife, but it made you hero. Your wife
has never suspected anything, has shef"
'sNo, not a thing. The boys played
their parts we'll l was afraid that Nick
Jones would ruin everything, for after
Jassamine tainted he snorted. He was
so full of laugh that he could hardly run
away. /"
Bip! Something struck me on the
head. The room swan. l saw Jasper
getting out of the way; l saw my wife
standing near me, and then / sank to the
floor. When / recovered l was lying on
the sofa. Jassamine was bending over
me.
"oh, don't die, she was saying
/ i - L \