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
exptessioh gradually gave place to one
OF resigned melancholy, aud, with a
Responding head shake, he said: "I'm
afraid can't tell you, miss"
"Thank you," said Nettie whit n
sigh, '1'll take cab" and, hailing 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 rs to the
whereabouts of Pbilippa Road, and
had to mako inquiries every few min
tltes. Half an hour passed, and poor
Nettie, we'll nigh in tears, was on the
point of otdering the cabman to drive
back to the station, when he turned
into dark, narrow street, with a vel
come fame, Philippa Road, at the
corner. The vehicle stopped in front
of small grocer's shop. Out she
jumped, and telling the driver to wait.
dashed in and asked to see the pro-
prietot's wife. She was dismayed to
find how late it had grown, and de
SPARED Of getting home in time to
avoid awkward questions 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, AZ am in
great hurry, but 1 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 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, beseechingly.
The woman smiled at her eagerness.
81 dare say can tell you something, +"
she said SHUT l never invent, as
some clairvoyants do. It's rather a
peculiar thing about me, that, no mat
ter how tired l am, 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 a sigh
land, please, be as quick as you can. "
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 great park I see a
large red brick building, with a clock
tower in the centre, surmounted by a
weathercock. Part of the building is
low and long; there are iron railings
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 oni" she cried.
"What do you see next?"
"Outside the ratings in front of the
building" continued the other, after
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 i'm.
patience, and begged her to speak oi
the writer OF the note.
There was 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 somC
are in theatrical costume" Here
Nettie interrupted once more, saying
with remarkable amount of heat fol
a girl usually so sweet tempered, tina
she did not care about the photo
graphs.
The clairvoyant protested that sucl
Interruptions would spoil everything
but at last she managed to come to the
} point. SIN this room 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 i
she exclaimed, "can't you tell me wha
, he is thinking about, and whether b.
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, bu
1t seems that he is deeply attached Il
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 he
/ forehead, exelaiming; 81 cant go OF