The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1896-09-30


girls DEATH 1t shall come to me
now"
"Yes-we must have money; you
know best. But don't bungle, Gus
tave."
"Fear not, my wife-the verdict
will be suicide"
They passed on and the voices died
away.
Laurence Gaydon, with his heart
throbbing wildly, crept out, and stole
along in the direction of the girls
room.
This he experienced some difficulty
in finding, but at length he reached it
and knocked at the door softly there
was no response, and he pushed it
open and looked in, whispering her
name.
The room was empty.
In less time than it takes to write he
had swung himself out through the
window by which he had entered,
scrambled down the ivy, and was rae
ing through the woods with no very
definite purpose in his mind, save that
he must find her and help her against
these people.
He had emerged from the wood and
was going down the white road which
led to the inn, when he met her. In
all his life he had never felt so thank
full as at that moment.
"I have been down to the inn,
Laurie, to look for you. I am so
glad have found you"
"What has happened, Nellie mine?"
he asked, tenderly, as he drew her
aside within the shadow of some trees.
"Nothing, but 1 am frightened, "
replied the girl. al dare not go back
there tonight. 1 found this after
noon that the lock has been broken
the lock of my door"
"Nonsense, child"
81 know you will laugh at me,
Laurie, DEAR" she continued, in agi-
tated tones, "but have feeling that
something awful is going to happen. I
can't go back"
She clung to him, and hid her face.
"You certainly shan't go back, my
DEAR" he said. "No, listen to me,
Nellie. Do you trust me completely
now and always? Will you let me
look after you-will you do anything
that 1 suggest, Notwithstanding it may
appear stranger
"Of course 1 will, Laurie," she said {,
looking earnestly at him.
"Will you try to love me, dear
. Will you be my wite?"
"There is no one in all the world ]
love SO well, Laurie" she replied.
"My sweet little womani Now,
listen. This is matter absolutely oi
nothing less than life or death-youi
/, life, or your death. Remember, you
/ are to trust me. Wait here for five
minutes"
He was off before she could speak
I racing down the road in the direction
/ of the inn.
In an incredibly short time he wa
D back again and she noticed that h,
? held package under his arm.
Her first exclamation was of the
f tragic variety.
"Laurie, dear, you have shaved Of
K your mustachel"
{ "Yes, my darling, but it'll grow
= again. Now look here, in this knap
sack is a change of clothes. Weir
3 both about the same height, AM
q they'll fit you to a nicely. Slip off in
: to the wood and get into them"
"Whatl"
: "For heavens sake don't hesitate
t it's life or death, I tell you-and bi
of fun on my own account. / wan
g your frock and hat, stuff the rest o
s the things into the knapsack and brinI
il it back here. Don't stop to talk"
n She disappeared with the bag, an
If in O few moments the slim, prepossess
t ing figure of young man in twee
b knickerbocker suit emerged in he
IS place from the woods, with q YER
# blushing face. Gaydon put his hat o
l. her head, tucking her hair we'll up in
t to the crown.
"Now, get me into this frock," b
10 exclaimed, laughing.
Il She slipped it over his head, an
If knotted the sash about him, an
10 perched the hat on his fair hair, fal
l. tening it under his chin with som
ribbon she took from the neck OF th
d dress.
y spins are of no use to you," sh
s. said.
( 'In this purse you will find all tn
money you want; I've ordered fly t
lg be ready at the inn. Here's my a(
rs dress in town-Apple-tree-court her
,e are my keys. The fly will take 20
es across to Warmingford, and you
le Just be in time to catch the night ez
Ig press to London. Take a hsnsol
r. when you get to town, and driy
N straight to the Temple; if the porte
r says anything, answer him withoI
,e hesitation, Mr.. Gaydon, Apple-tre
O. court You will find No. 80 on Il
right of Middle Temple-lane-to
D. floor. Let yourself in and so to be-
le I'll be there in the morning. LeaN
n. the knapsack here; 1 shall want it
lg put this frock in. I've got cap, so
| shall be able to come to town as d
s. cent male. ="
g. "But, Laurie, dear, what are yo
ly going to do?"
sh "Give the wicked uncle a surpris
le my love. I'll tell you all about it a
n forwards. Remember my instruction
Or and don't forget that for the he
s. few hours you are Laurence Gaydol
IN OF with you! !"
at She ran in the direction of the in
be and Laurence, with a chuckle, gat
w cred the skirts of the frock about hi
aud raced through the woods.