The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1897-03-10

but none are quite so fascinating
as certain person you met on your
ranch" interrupted my cousin.
IA cowboy |" asked Carter, sudden
ly becoming intensely Interested.
"a cow-puncher, If you WILL"
laughed the fair girl, "with a re-
volver, a red shirt, and all the appro.
pirate settings"
''She tries to laugh it off," cries
Lyvia. "But really, Mr.. Carter, it's
true"
Nonsense, Lyvis," Miss Nell ex.
claimed, with the most charming
possible frown.
Don't deny it" said 1, for was
really getting just bit anxious. 'T
can imagine him myself-a tall,
bronzed chap, with flowing black
locks, piercing eyes, a noble brow"
"And a beard--a lovely Vandyke /;
don't forget that" my cousin inter-
rupted.
"a cowboy with Vandyke Hum /;
Dangerous exclaimed Carter.
Don't you think it's dangerous,
Vandergust?
/ admit that Carter has not o great
mind, but at that instant it ran in the
same channel as mine, for to me had
occurred the idea that a cowboy in a
Van Dyke was suspicious. The thing
savored OF the gentleman; perhaps
one of those fellows down on his luck
that read of, or even like Branton.
Ny aunt smiled complacently.
Ill l. - Il.
and sighed, "Oh, Lyvia, why did you
ever?"
"Why, Rosa, you confessed it all !;
You know you did" cried my irrepres.
sible cousin. ''And what do you
think2" She leaned over as if about
to impart to my ears alone a secret of
vast import.
~ don't think" l answered. 81
simply wait"
"Ly-vi-ai"
My cousin passed UNDECIDED thia
gentle, plaintive remonstrance, and in
a stage whisper said: 'I found her
one day shedding crocodile tears over
his Photographic horrible looking
thing, with fringy edges, you know,
and gilt border, and "a"
The burst of laughter that inter.
rupted this disclosure was drowned by
a crash of china behind the screen that
hid the door of the buffers pantry, q
thud as of a heavy body falling, a
moan. sprang from the table and
tossed aside the screen. Disclosed to
our view, PROSTATE on the floor, his
head resting in mass of broken
dishes, lay my friend and butler.
"Branton!" cried, falling down at
his side.
He made no reply for he was uncoii.
scious.
Carter and picked him up and laid
him in the heavily cushioned window
seat.
''What clumsy butler Ring for
the servants !" cried my aunt, who in
the general confusion seemed to think
that she alone was calm, and by virtue
OF that calmness in duty bound to take
command.
"He's not my butler |" I exclaimed,
forgetting appearances. "It's Branton
Jim Branton, the best fellow"
"Water Water |" screamed Lyvia.
dashed to the table and seized a
glass, and when turned again to my
injured friend, Rosa Nell was on her
knees at his side, wiping his forehead
with her handkerchief. Suddenly his
eyes opened and rested on hers.
'Rosa Rosa |" he muttered, and he
suddenly reached out his arm and
drew her head down toward him.
1 glanced at the other and pointed
to the door. Silently we passed out
of the room.
swell, never |" my aunt exclaimed,
as the portieres closed behind us. 81
thought the cowboy was joke, but a
| butler"
"Shi" whispered Lyvia. And
through the heavy curtains came:
why did you run away from the
ranch, Jim ?"
"Why-why-because a poor chap
like me had no right even to nope. -
New York Sun.