Saturday morning visitor., 1848-10-07


sternly.
For three weeks, Fredericl. Austin was
unable 10 leave the inn but at the end of
that time, he was sufficiently recovered 10
be transported to his fathers house.
Still Ellen heard nothing of her absent
lover. Her anxiety and grief at his alb
sence was equalled only by her joy to
think that he was not the murderer OF her
brother. To him, Ellen told all her heart;
and when she related many acts Of gene
rosity IN Clinton, Frederick, who knew
by experiences that he was brave, openly
approved of her choice, and while lie for
gave his former antagonist, regretted eX-
ceedingly that he had fled where none
pursued.
Frederick was soon able TO walk about;
he and lis sister then took short strollS
upon the prairie and along the river banks,
and ended by prolonging gradually their
walks. When the young man had regain
ed his strength, he either went forth alone
with his dog and gun, or accompanied by
his sister, made short excursions Oh horse
back. ltis needless TO say that Ellen, like
true maid Of the prairie, rode with the
utmost grace and ease.
Frederick, notwithstanding the arro-
gance of which we have seen him guilty,
was naturally Of pleasing disposition,
generous and obliging. His love of sa-
tire and fun sometimes carried him 10 eX-
tremes, and his self-will bordered on inso-
lence; but he had changed somewhat since
his recovery, which fact was owing per-
haps, TO the lesson Clinton had targhs him
at the inn, and the fatal consequences Of
his presumption.
Two months passed by, and still M
news from Clinton Grover reached the ear
Of the anxious Ellen.
Summer was gone, and autumn, with
lis chilling irosIs, had rob ed the prairie
Of lis robe of green. The leaves Of the
forest had fallen 10 the ground, and the
prairie grass had become wilhercd and
sere.
1t was OF one of those days when the
melancholy OF autumn is joined 10 the
beauty Of summer, that Frederick and hi.
sister rode forth upon the prairie, and ex-
cited by the fresh prairie breeze, uncon-
sciously proceeded several miles from
home.
They were upon the broad prairie whcl
extended far away on every side, undlila,
ting and beautiful, although covered will
dry and withered grass.
The sun went down before they though
10 return ; but as evening approached
and the silent prairie became clothed II
gloom, they paused with one consent ant
turned their horses homeward.
They now galloped on a. rapid pace
but night came, and they were still ia
from home.
Night, but not darkness. Behind them
far away on the prairie, broad CLEAN o
light appeared quivering intense.
The prairie was on fire!
Heavens ! exclaimed Frederick, look
The fire cried Ellen.
'Yes-the prairie is burning! forward
or we are loSln
The steeds needed no urging the,
bounded away as ii conscious OF the dan
ger.
The breeze rreshened, and the dry gras
was consumed like powder in the flames
which swept along the earth.
Onward, onward dashed the steeds
bearing their riders swiftly DER the prai
rie; but the flames were behind them
more swift, more furious than they.
Onward, onward still they flew; hl
the deer bounded by them in his flight
and the fluttering Of wings over thei
heads, told that the birds OF the air wer
more swift than they.
: Trembling with fear, Ellen loshed he
steed, and kept close 10 her brothers. side
Oh! tha. was wild spectacle-the prai
rie illumined by the fierce glare OF llgh
: the raging flames, and the cloud of blao
and dismal smoke, which gave 10 the car
opy of heaven a fearful tint of gloom.
Onward dashedt the steeds, butthe wind
were swiher than they; and the flame
were OIL the wings of the wind. Aires
dy the hot breath of the conlagration sweI
over them like the Simoom Of the deser
a All behind them was fierce glare
light all before them was darkness an
gloon. Suddenly faint light was see
upon distant hill-like torch held b
the hand of man and it approached wa,
ing 10 and fro. At last the form Of i
bearer was indistinclly visible.
Faster J cried Frederick, land we al
saved! Heavens the flames are gainin
: 6n us still--aster-faster!'
But to increase their speed was inpol
sible. The cracking flames were plread
Eupon them, when the torch which the