The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1892-03-23

JNSiSN'Si 'hihBS WOutu SOllG OUT TlBn
somehow.
Cora hummed the waltz as they drove
away.
eff I'll run back and get you lacC
fichu, Aunt Cornelia," she ventured
"won't you put it on instead-lnsteat
Of"
"This handkerchief does very we'll, ,
Aunt Cecilia responded. 'I have had
1T twenty-five years, and 1 wear it now
and then for old times sake, Cora"
"Um-yes" said Cora, patiently
"What are you going to do with these
two jugs, Aunt Cecilia9"
81 am going to have them filed with
boiled cider at Bently's cider mill, u
Aunt Cecilia rejoined.
"OhW Cora murmured.
Never, never would Aunt Cecilia have
driven to Bently's mill for two jugs of
boiled cider if she had not been wearing
her blue silk handkerchief for old times
sake.
"Yes, Cora" said Aunt Cecilia,
gloomily. "I have had this hand
kerckief twenty-five years this fall.
| remember perfectly how 1 came
by it. Your Great-uncle God
frey had a store in West Gainesbro',
and lived there-that is how l came to
know the Pierces, Cora-and he gave me
this handkerchief. His store burned that
same winter, and the poor man lost his
sight only the next year. Was it that
year your Aunt Sarah died2 No, that
was late the next spring. An excellent
wom.n your Aunt Sarah was. She caught
a terrible cold, and it settled on her
lungs, and her death was painful and
lingering. The next year,"
Aunt Cecilia paused in her cheerful
"reminiscences.
81 wonder if Dan will be all fdgety
at that machine up the road2 l think
not. Can you make out what it ISL"
ga steam thresher," said Cora. "Dan
wouldn't mind if it wasn't in the mid
die of the road"
"We can manage him." said Aunt
Cecilia, who was always plucky. "There
are some men there to hold him if he is
nervous"
She drove on.
"Nervous6" said Cora, anxiously.
"Pm afraid he's more than nervous. If
we could turn back"
But Dan was prancing rapidly on
toward the monster which had startled
him as by frightened fascination.
Dan was young, and somewhat skittish
in his most soberest moments. He eyed
the machine askant, whinnying and
pricking his ears and already trembling;
ahd when its steam whistle was suddenly
blown, he gave neigh of wild terror,
threw up his head and his hind hoofs,
and dashed on up the road, swerving
near the ditch at right or
left as his frightened senses prom pted
him, aud oblivious of all but his foolish
equine fears.
That moment seemed a lifetime to
Cora. The roadside shrubs rushed ir-
passed, the dust flew.
Aunt Cecilia was pulling frantically
at the lines, with no faintest effect.
They would be overturned in the ditch
and hurt--killed, perhaps.
In which ditch2
Cora found her benumbed mind con.
centrating itself on that whimsical ques.
ton.
On which side of the road would they
be found with broken arms or necks7
"Upon my SOUL" said Aunt Cecilia,
twenty seconds later.
Dan was stopped-caught by his bits
by strong hand whose possessor had
first broken his speed by springing into
his path and turning him aside. The
hand was not so strong, though, but
that it felt the powerful wrench; the
young man looked pale, and was winc-
ing. His hat was in the dust, and some
dark curls lay very becomingly on his
white forehead. He was broad. should
cred, strong-faced, tall, and he was
smiling pleasantly up at them, and bow
ng to Cora, too.
Aunt Cecilia reiterated her ejaculation.
upon my soul! Have you sprained
your wrist3 You certainly have. Well,
never saw anything braver. / Well,"
'aid Aunt Cecilia, wiping her flushed,
excited face, 81 can't express myself at
Ill You might have been seriously in
ured-were you aware of that2 1t isn't
Every man that will risk his own life to
'ave strangers. Who are you2" Aunt
Cecilia demanded, her intent, admiring
eyes rowing from the tall head to the
irm-set feet of the preserver.
"Albert Pierce, madam. And don't
hank mel" Albert Pierce begged. 81
lm SO glad to have been of service to
'ou and-and Miss Coran
His comely face shone.
"oh, Mr.. Pierce!" Aunt Cecilia
echoed, mildly, studying him thought
ully. "From West Gainesbro'7"
"From Russell County, ma'am-from
'aalsberg," said Mrs. Pierce.
"You don't say sol" Aunt Cecilia
ned. ~ once knew a John Pierce who
moved to Saalsberg, Russell County,
rom my native town, Phen-"
"Phenicia," said Albert Pierce, yet
nore smilingly. "Haven't l heard him
ell Phenicia legends till know some
f them by hearth John Pierce was my
ather, Mrs. Turner"
"Dead" id Aunt Cecilia, her face
oftened. "Y yes! l remember hear
lg when John Pierce died. A fine man
e was--a man in every sense, and of a
ne family. And this is his son! Aud
is son, Said Aunt Cecilia, beaming upon
i'm with admiration and gratitude and
'armth, "has saved two lives"
"Nonsensel" his son protested. "Ex.
use me, Mrs. Turner, but"
"Two lives" said Aunt Cecilia,
which l risked by my own rashness. /
I'LL try To fhank rnn Mr. pinrrn WIN |