Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1845-08-22
From The Saturday Courier.
THE MYSTERIOUS STRANGERS,
BY CAROLINE loRNE.

BY CARULlNE 9ANE'
"What a tempestuous evening it is,
said Mr.. Vernon to his wife, as he took the
tongs and stirred the Goals inoo brighter
glow
~Tempestuoas enough" she replied; and
as if to give emphasis to what they said, IA
gust of wind drove the slcet and rain a.
gainst the windows, and passed with a
shri!l, hollow moan, through the leaf1ess
branches OF half dozen old chesnUt trees
that grew near the house,
Soon afterwards the rattling el wheels
was heard, The noise ceased, aud it was
evident that some vehicle had stepped near
the door.
II am sure" said Mrs. Vernon, II didn't
think Of oar having company such stor-
nv night as this"
The next minute several smart, quick
raps, with whip handle, were heard a
gainst the door. Mr.. Vernon has.ened to
open it, and beheld a man in thick dun
colored great-coat, buttoned up to his cain,
and an oiI-cIoih hat, from which the water
was running in streams.
"Can yoW give shelter 10 two ladies for
the nighti" said he.
ave cannot refuse" said Mr., Vernon,
''on such a night as this"
"Certainly not" said Mrs. Vernon, who
now approached the door.
! As the man left the doorway, q weather
beaten coach, such as is usually kept Tor
hire at livery stables, TO which was attach
ed pair Of horses, too tired to resent the
bunetiRgs OF the storm, was revealed 10
view. In Il few minutes the two ladies
were in the parlor, and Mrs. Vernon assis-
ted them to divest themselVesof their bon
nets aud large plaid shawls, which they
wore over their travelling dresses.
~ guess yoU couldn't accommodate me
and my horses, said the driver, addressing
Mr.. Vernon, who still remained at the door,
in the true Yankee phraseOogy.
ave not only can, but think we must
replied Mr.. Vernon, "as there is no tavern
within six miles of here"
During the time consumed in putting the
coach and horses under shelter, Mrs. Ver-
non had opportunity to observe her strang.
or guests, One OF them, middIe.aged la.
dy, was well though plainly dressed, and
there was something in her demeandor, that
showed that no incident OF trivial nature
could shake her iortitude, or rob her OF hel
SELF possession, Her features presented o
firm and somewhat bold outline, and hel
rather sallow complexion was relieved by O
: pair Of black eyes singnlarly brilliant.
Her companion must have been twenty
or more, for her figure, of rare symmetry
and loveliness, was fully developed. Hel
features, though they bore perceptible re-
semblance TO the other lady's were perfect
ly beautiful, from the large, dark eyes, tc
the finely curved lips which were the red
dest and freshest that ever parted to revea
teeth like orient pearls. Her hair, of ricf
shining black, too redundant TO be kept r
. order by small gold comb intended to res
. train it, on removing her bonnet, streame(
| in many long and flowing curl far dowr
9 her shoulders. Yet though young and
beautiful, and though she had evidently
y been nurtured in the lap Of luxury, it wa'
plain to perceive that she was oppressed BY
some deep and narrowing sorrow.
All that the driver of the coach knew o
them, which tended to excite, rather thai
Il crafty curiosity, he communicated to Mr.
Vernon, before they returned from the sta
bic. lie said that they had, the day previ
ous arrived at the city where lie resided, il
Tie steamboat, and had hired him to conve
them to some retired county town.
When the ladies had 2artaken Of the re
:, freshments that had been prepared for then
I the eldest, after first holding short consul
y tatioa with her companion, remarked tina
il Had heen their intention to pursue thei
Journey for, utIeast, one day more, but tia
O a strict seclusion was their only object, thu
thought that might possibly be attained i