Wisconsin tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1847-1854, 1849-01-05
CHAPTER v.
THE RECOVERY.

THE RECOVERY.
Mr.. Austin fastened to the Inn where lay
his wounded son; wounded, we say, for Fred
erick was not dead. Stretched out upon
bed of agony, the anxious father found him,
and thanked Heaven that he was still alive.
Y GU are severely hurt 9 said Mr.. Austin,
pressing his hand while tears gathered in his
eyes.
"A slight wound-a mere trile,' replied
Frederick; and a faint smile played upon his
lips.
The surgeon arrived the wound was pro-
nounced exceedingly dangerous, but not NOR
tai. The old man wept for joy
On the following morning, Mrs. Austin and
Ellen went to visit Frederick. The poor girl
had scarcely recovered from the shock of the
proceeding night, but anxiety for her brother
bore her up. She had not yet dared to con-
TESS to her parents who was the antagonist OF
their son, nor could she realize the fearful
truth herself.
The travellers had left the Inn, but the
landlord gave full relation of the duel, con-
cealing only the name of Clinton. On the
arrival of Ellen and her mother, however, he
changed his resolution and revealed the
whole At the name of Clinton, Austin start
ed.
All! that explains his conduct last night,
he cried.
He has fled y said Ellen covering her face
with her hands.
And it is we'll = exclaimed her father
sternly.
For three weeks, Frederick Austin was I'M
able to leave the Inn; but at the end OF that
time, he was sufficiently recovered to be trans
ported to his fathers house.
Still Ellen heared nothing of her absent
lover. Her anxiety and grief for his absence,
were equaled only by her Joy to think that he
was not the murderer her brother. 10 him
Ellen told all her heart; and when she rela-
ted many acts of generosity in Clinton, Fred
erick, who knew by experience that he was
brave, openly approved of her choice, and
while he forgave his former antagonist, re-
GREETED exceedingly that he had fled where
none pursued.
Frederick was soon able to walk about he
and his sister then took short strolls upon the
prairie and on the river banks, and ended by
prolonging gradually their walks. Whenthe
young man regained his strength, he either
went forth alone with his dog and gun, or ac-
companied by his sister, made short exeur-
sions on horseback. 1t is needless to say
that Ellen like true maid of the prairie, RODE
with the utmost grace and ease.
Frederick Notwithstanding the arrogance
of which we have seen him guilty, was natu-
rally of pleasing disposition, generous and
obliging. His love of satire and fun some
will bordered on insolence; but he had chang
ed somewhat since his recovery, which fact
was owing perhapse to the lesson Clinton
had taught him at the Inn, and the fatal con-
sequences of his presumption:
| Two months passed by, and still no news
| from Clinton Grover reached the ear of the
anxious Ellen.
Summer was gone, and autumn, with Its
i Ill ~ of If
robe of green. The leaves of the forres. had
fallen to the ground, and the prairie grass had
| become withered and sere.
1t was one of those days when the meian-
/ cholly ofautumn is Joined to the beauty OF
summer. that Frederick and his sister r'de
forth upon the prairie, and excited by the In
fiuence of the fresh prairie breeze, unconscl-
ouslv proceeded several miles from home.
4 They were upon the broad prairie, which
extended far away on every side, unduiating
and beautiful, although covered with dry and
withered grass.
The sun went down before they thought tc
return: but as evening approached, and the
prairie became clothed in gloom, they PAUSED
with one consent and turned their horses home
ward.
They now galloped on at rapid pace; bu
night came and they were still far from home
NIGHT. but not darkness
Behind them, far away on the prairie,
broad CLEAN of light Ppeafed-quivering In
tense.
f The prairie was on fire
sHeavens' exclaimed Frederick--look !"
. The fire. c-ied Ellen.
sYes-the prairie is burning forward G
: we are lost ~
6 The steeds needed no urging, they bound
ed away as ifconscious of the danger.