The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1896-09-02


suming to exist without his knowledge.
But the next moment his face as
sumed an expression of studious medi-
alton, and he appeared to be ponder
ing over the problem Nettie had pro-
pounded! For several seconds she |
hopefully awaited some sign in his |
countenance which might betoken a |
solution, but in vain the thoughtful |
EXPRESSION gradually gave place to one |
of resigned melancholy, aud, with a
Responding head shake, he said: "Tm |
afraid l can't tell you, miss"
''rhank you," said Nettie whit q
sigh, "I'll take a cab, and, bailing a
hanson, she left the policeman and
drove away, feeling rather depressed.
This did not help much, for the driver
had the vaguest of ideas US to the
whereabouts of Philippa Road, and
had to make inquiries every few min
utes. Half an hour passed, and poor
Nettie, well nigh in tears, was on the
point of otdering the csbman to drive
back to the station, when he turned
into dark, narrow street, with vel
come fame, Philippa Road, at the
corner. The vehicle stopped in front
of q small grocer's shop. Out she
jumped, and telling the driver to wait,
dashed in and asked to see the pro-
prietor's wife. She was dismayed to
find how late it had grown, and de
SPARED Of getting home in time to
avoid awkward questionsj but she was
determined to go through with it now
ut all costs. The grocer, who looked
knowing, and seemed quite used to
this sort of thing, showed her upstairs,
and shouted for his wife. The latter
was an exceeding quiet, mild looking
little woman, not at all resembling the
wild witch Nettie had pictured.
"Please," began the girl, timidly,
feeling somewhat foolish, 81 am in a
great hurry, but should like you to
tell me what you can about the person
who wrote this, and she handed her
the note.
"I'll try, MISS" replied the woman,
"but, to tell the truth, I'm not at my
best just now. You see, folks begin
coming to see me early in the morn
ing, and to- day I've had great many
one alter the other, till I'm tired out. !"
Nettie looked blank; this was too
bad, after she had come such long
way.
"But can't you tell me anything2"
she inquired, beseechiugly.
The woman smiled at her engerness.
az dare say I can tell you something" /"
she said; "but l never invent, as
some clalrvoYants do. It's rather a
peculiar thing about me, that, no mat
ter how tired am, l can always see
and describe places, though l can't hit
off people or characters at all unless
I'm feeling absolutely fresh"
"Well, the place will be better than
nothing" said the girl with q sigh;
"and, please, be as quick as you can. F"
Nettie watched the woman curiously
as she stood with the note-that had
been taken out of its envelope, though
it was still folded up-in one hand.
Presently she began:
Overlooking a great park see O
large red brick building, with a clock
tower in the centre, surmounted by q
weathercock. Part of the building is
low and long; there are iron ratings
in front and some sentry boxes with
tall soldiers in red uniforms on guard.
They wear helmets with long, white
tassels. Other soldiers, mounted on
beautiful black horses, are just riding
in pairs through the large iron gate,
their helmets sparkling in the sun
shine"
The girl listened in amazement; the
woman had described the barracks
wherein Captain Tassling was quar-
tered, and she waited feverishly the
answer to her question.
"Oh, please go onl" she cried.
"What do you see nextY"
"Outside the ratings in front of the
building" continued the other, after
a brief pause, 81 see young women
wheeling children in perambulators ;
they are looking through the bars at
the soldiers In the courtyard, and"
Here Nettie gave little stamp of inn
patience, and begged her to speak OF
the writer of the note.
There was a short pause; then the
woman started afresh: 81 see in one
wing of the building beautifully fur.
nished room; there are a great many
photographs standing about, nearly
all of different young ladies, and some
are in theatrical costume" Here
Nettie interrupted once more, saying
with a remarkable amount of heat for
a girl usually so sweet tempered, thai
she did not care about the photo
graphs.
The clairvoyant protested that sucf
Interruptions would spoil everything,
but at last she managed to come to the
point. "In this room l see a tall, fail
man with dark eyes; he looks strong
and soldier like, and he sits polishing
the hilt of a sword, as he whistles {
tune"
Nettie's heart beat faster. 'Oh =
she exclaimed, "can't you tell me what
he is thinking about, and whether hC
is" she was about to say "in love,
but she stopped and merely added
"tell me something about him"
"Just now," continued the woman
che appears to be in some perplexity
l can't be quite sure what about, but
1t seems that he is deeply attached tC
someone, and does not know whether
his love is returned or not. But
think he is fairly hopeful that it is.
At this point the exertion appeared
to be too much for her, and, breaking
off suddenly, she put her hand TO hel
forehead, exclaiming: 81 cant go OF
! anu Ynnra -