The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1894-10-24

of her vis-a-vis, resumed her perusal
of "The Fang of the Adder"
The two mustached and fur-coated
individuals interchanged sentence
or two in an undertone aud then
settled down to their respective news
papers. Tho invalid lay back help
lessly in his corner, swaying from
side to side with the motion of the
carriage.
He was small of stature and slight
of limb. He wore a gray-fapped
travelling cap, tied under the chin,
and long gray ulster. From under
meath the edge of the ulster peeped a
pair of tiny little feet in patent-leather
boots.
As much c. his profile as was visible
to Kittys observation was perfectly
regular and of waxen delicacY. The
ungloved right hand, which rested
stiffly on his knee, was small and
dazzingly white.
"Oh," exclaimed Miss Belwhistle
involuntarily as the express rounded
curve and the invalid lurched
violently to the right.
The mustached and scented strang
ers looked over their newspapers.
Kitty had half risen from her seat.
Anything wrong, miss?" inquired
No. 1 in accents of oily vulgarity.
The train stendied; the invalid left
off wobbling. Kitty sank among her
rugs and parcels.
"T-I beg your pardon. II was
afraid the-your friend was going to
faint" she breathed. To cover her
confusion she stopped for her book,
which lay sprawling on the floor.
"The young lady thought Mr..
Walker might be feeling i'll, Sig. Den
20, " remarked No. 2. "Tell him to
answer hisself if he's got any manners
in him, the signor added, and looked
at the invalid.
Immediately Mr.. Walker spoke
in queer, highly pitched voice,
which seemed to come from under the
seat which he occupied.
81 thank you, miss, for your kind
inquiries and beg to say I am quite
we'll.
Kitty began to regret the exclama'
tion of alarm into which she had been
betrayed. She began to wonder how
long it would be before the next stop
page would afford her an opportunity
of exchanging to another carriage.
This horrible pair were evidently bent
upon improving the occasion.
Rosenbaum offered her q comic pa
| nna1ino1 With thanEo
The signor produced silver flask
of cognac, which might have con
tanned about quart, and audaciously
invited the young lady to test the
quality of its contents. Declined
with thanks.
Upon which both the signor ani
Mr.. Rosenbaum applied themselves tC
the liquor with great good will. They
produced huge packages of sandwiches
and ate with gusto and without offer
ing the invalid share of their sup
plies.
Kitty burned with Indignation and
was conscious of n yearning in the di'
rection of her we'll filled luncheon
basket, but dread of provoking the
civilities of her companions staid
her. She would change at the mex
station they stopped at, and then
Thank goodness-an old town rising
out of the snowy landscape Thu
empty noise and hustle of station
succeeding. She collected her lug
gage hastily she peered aIxiously GU
of the window searching for porter
"By your leave, miss, said the obi
ous voice of Rosenbaum. He opened
the door and jumped out upon the
platform. The signor followed. They
vanished, arm in arm, into the refresh
ment room.
"Porter," cried Miss Belwhistle
but no functionary responded to hel
call. She leaned out of the window
Sho waved her muff. She called t.
the porter again without success.
There was dull crash, sickeninG
thud, behind her. She turned. Th'
invalid Mr.. Walker hal tumbled ou
of his seat and lay PROSTATE on tn,
floor. Before the affrighted girl coult
utter a scream for help the express
moved on. Where, where were thost
callous companions of the sick man
Doubtless Rosenbaum and. the siguol
had been left.
She raised the head of the insensi
! BILE man. He was lighter than sh
had expected and strangely, strangel!
sitter. Sho opened his collar with
shaking hand.
J She got out the bottle of tea an
endeavored to pour q little down hi
: throat. Useless. The rigid lips wer
not to be forced apart. She remove
: the travelling cap and wet his fore
head and temples with eau de cologne
, He showed no signs of reviving. Sh
wiped his face with her handkerchie
and-oh, horror
The faint color vanished from hi
: cheeks, his lips turned pale. Th
sick man had been painted.
She looked at him more closely
) The strange light blue eyes that mail
tained their horrible unwinking stare
the deadly color of the face aud th
lev coldness of its contact struck
chill TO her. She felt at his hear
. Not a beat Mr.. Walker was dead
dead
a Had his muBderers they must b
t his murderers painted the dead fac
with the hues of life, deceived he
o eyes with rouge and powder as the