The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1897-09-01

Cedric, but you carry it to an ex-
treme."
Cedric yielded, still holding to his
own opinion. keep her Keep
heri" he cried; "but remember. II
an. thing happens, be it on your head"
Since the days of All Cling, life had
not been worth living. Annie came.
and comfort followed after. Capable,
retiring, vague sense of mystery
pervading her, she proved in our
monotonous existence source of in
exhaustible interest.
II scent romance?" Cedric de-
clared; "when Anne draws near, find
find out about her.
She is so reticent-a contrast to
Samantha"
Teach her something. Learning
unlocks woman's tongue"
So Anne was instructed in more
housewifely mysteries, and grew more
communicative. But Cedric received
all details of her past with scornful in
credulity. Papa was a barrister.
Anne herself had been born in the
sacred precincts of the Temple. Their
crest figured as dove. "Fancy ones
parlor-maid having a crest" he ejacu-
lated. For briefless barrister he had
done singularly we'll, marrying niece
of the celebrated Countess of Michigan.
Many torrid afternoon was whiled
away with descriptions of the Irish
castle where the wedding took place,
the beauty of the bride, the eccentrici-
ties of the noble aunt. Cedric scoffed,
still crying for more.
One languorous September day, en-
sconced in the veranda's shadiest nook.
we gazed on the Brush Hills and
sighed vainly for breeze. Cedric
broke the stiffness. "What about
Anne? No news of late?"
"She has q sister who lives in
France and is possessed of independ.
ent means"
A look of reproach shot from his
dark blue eye. "You told me that last
week, " he murmured.
"And did not tell you that she goes
by the name of the Lady Emily
Brown.
''Brcwnl Why, she married q
Frenchman.
"True.
"Why lady? What title has he?"
''None. 1 particularly asked Anne"
"Absurdl He could not be Brown
or she lady, unless, indeed, the title
is in her own right. In that case your
pearl of a handmaiden is an honor
ablel The Honorable Anne brings
out the tray" he added, as she ap-
preached our corner. mo, it's all
false, you may depend upon it. Ask
Mcpherson what he thinks; he is COM
ing up the drive"
Fergus McPherson-caution person
ified-opined that Annie had lied. He
put it plainly; ''Deceitful in speech.
deceitful in deed. Better watch her,
Mrs. Allendale.
My suspicious were not excited. In
California nothing is impossible. Had
not scion Of lordly house died on a
neighboring ranch-s lonely, neglect
ed sheep herder? No. 1t was the
uneasy air and restless look increas-
ing day by day. heartily wished for
some pretext whereby Cedric, dis
patched into La Huerta, might inquire
into the antecedents of the Honorable
Anne. Chance favored me.
Mcpherson has been telling me-"
began my spouse, few days later,
''about some bloodhounds in town that
belong to the sheriff They are Al at
tracking criminals-borrow them all
over the State. Beastly shame it's
such journey-it would be rather
Jolly to sec them"
why not go? A change would do
you good"
"Gol And who would milk the
cow?"
''I, myself"
"You? Nonsensel"
"Who is the sheriff." 1 idly asked,
mediteting my next move the while.
"Waite-Hiram Waite"
"Our Honorable" who had entered,
bearing that ranch standby, smok-
ing bowl of ''mush, started, growing
visibly pale-fresh food for uneasiness.
Clearly, to learn the art of milking was
imperative. The woman won, as
usual, and Cedric, before the week was
over, started for La Huerta, with strict
iniunctions to interview both hospital
superintendent and sheriff
In charge of the ranch were myself,
Billikins, and the Honorable Anne,
Uneventfully passed the first few days;
but on Monday, from the veranda,
espied band of men, who, leaving the
county road, came slowly up the
drive.
Anne, perceiving them, grew white
to the lips, aud, bearing Billikins, pre-
cipitately fled.
"Good evening"" the leader began,
as he lifted his sombrero. Were a