The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1892-06-29

| Don you recognize the volcef' he
asked.
"No; can't say l do, l answered.
"Who is itl Surely none of mine host
Singh's family have such sweet trill. {"
al should say not, decidedly" as
sented the major. ''But must be
wrong, if you don't recognize it-I
thought it for all the world like Miss
Bradford's voice"
could not help looking quickly and
keenly at the major; Miss Bradford was
my sister, and the major had certainly
been very attentive to her during the
few months of their acquaintance. II he
could recognize her voice in an Indian
jungle when her brother failed to do so,
there must be something serious on the
carpet.
l therefore had peculiar interest in
the developments of the next few mo-
ments.
"It is positively cruel of you'll" said
another and petulant voice. "You
make no allowance for my extremely SEN
sitive organization. But simply cannot
go back over that road-the mere
thought of it is killingl Hark dom
you hear something creeping out from
the grover" and there arose shrill
scream which became historical as it
seemed to diminish, as il the feminine
speaker had flown iuto the cottage.
She had doubtless heard us breaking
through the thicket; in au instant the
head of our cavalcade came in full view
of the place, and there, sitting calmly
on seat before the door under the over
hanging boughs, and looking expectant-
ly but undismayed towards us was-my
sisterl
''You here" exclaimed, really sur
prised. "And Miss Blithedale, too; 1
need not ask that" l said, glancing at
an open parasol of flaming cherry that
lay few feet away on the ground where
the fair and nervous owner had dropped
it in her fight.
That parasoll In defiance of all the
scientists from Ben. Franklyn down, Miss
Blithedale must needs import from the
west sunshade of the color which above
all Others reflected least the rays of that
very orb. This she imperturhably car
RED, shining mark for derisive jokes,
OF, perhaps, as an incentive to well-born
subaltern bachelors in the arena of love,
she the matadore and they the quarry.
"How penetrating you are" was my
sisters ironical reply. ''Major, you are
just in time. Miss Blithedale has just
declared that she will not return to town
without the escort of the whole garrison
or of Major Gallanton, perhaps"
The major looked almost panied at
this allusion to the dead set that Miss
Blithedale had been making at him to
every ones amusement.
"And so, "mysister continued briskly,
"you have had all your hunt for moth
ing! The royal quarry seems to know
something about flank movements and
strategy as well as your own gallant
selves"
"Really, don't understand, Miss
Bradford" said the puzzled soldier.
"What is all this about escorts and flank
movements All, Miss Blithedale," as
that lady appeared, apparently nerved
again to welcome encounter with the
major; "thIs is a most charming coinci-
dence. But, explain, please, Miss Brad
ford"
Then my sister narrated as follows:
The two ladies in question, bored to
death at the absence of the only object
OF interesJ-the men--hau decided on
little expedition of their own. They
had hired one of the "native ''jaunting
cars" as we call them, with its zebu
team and native driver, and slowing a
luncheon hamper in the "boot" had
driven out before the MONDAY heat for
the "park."
Already in sight Of tho grove they had
been Mortified to see the sudden appear
ance of tiger, who stepped out from
the underground beside the road, dis.
closing his superb proportions and brill
liant coloring as he first gazed curiously
toward them aud then lowered his head
and began to stalk after them in long
strides.
Miss Blithedale uttered a terrific
shrek; the driver, turning, saw the
beast and, wild with fear, first whipped
up his bullocks aud then incontinently
fled into the jungle.
Meanwhile, in the same moments, my
sister had been equally appalled,. But
Belle, is girl of pretty strong nerves,
as you may know, and though white
with fear, she uttered no cry, but
silently if wildly looked around for a
weapon.
There was none, of course-but stay
the cherry parasol She snatched it
from the nerveless hands of her COM
panion, opened it with a vicious snap
and thrust it sheer into the face of the
beast, who was not fou seet away.
At the same time shS osed her eyes,
from sudden faintne nt recovering
instantly she looked a ! and-he was
gonel She could jus e the tail dis
appearing rapidly as crawled among
the leaves in dire frig
Without an insta hesitation my
sister sprang to the "box," whipped up |
the slow bulls, drove the few rods to the |
bungalow with Miss Blithedale clinging
to her and alternately moaning and |
screeching, as we learned in private.
That was five hours before; Miss |
Blithedale had absolutely refused to re-
turn with the cowardly native driver
who had arrived before them, and my
sister had laughinglY vowed that, in
that case she would go back alone, ask
ing no better protection than the cherry
parasol.
"You have revoutionized the tiger
hunt for the future, Miss Bradford, said |
the major, with his eyes full of admira- |
t;or, "A 4bo tola ,ybiob mn oiofar tol1 On