Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1853-11-09
WHOLE No. Io5


Lena and Robert exchanged glances.
and the subject was dropped.
The boat glided slowly on its Way
The sound OF dripping oars melted musi-
callv into distance, the voices of the par
~ i. contained (who were the last Of
those who assembled at Fairy isle that
day died away. and the picnic was over.
The sunset of Che glorious autumn day.
fell with mellowed brilliancy over the
scene. and lighted at the same sime the
pathway of Harvey and his charge.
A rapid walk brought the two in a
short lime to the Manor where they
found Mrs. Freeland anxiously awaiting
them. s,-
Il was taken so i'll, she proceeded to
explain. " after You left, that was obli-
ged to keep Lucy with me nearly all the
afternoon. 1t was only little while ago.
dispatched her with your. packet. andl
as she is so old and slow, I'm fearful she'l
not be able TO mail it in lime, and there's
not a day 10 Lose - as 81
:" will oyertake her, n possible, " said
Harvey, ''aud see toit myself
So saying. he bade them adieu, and
with rapid strides passed through the
avenue. over the bridge, and gained the
main road. lie walked hurTiedly on for
a short distance before he saw anything
of Lucy, but a short turn in the winding
road at last displayed TO him her iolier-
ing form a few PAGES in advance of him.
Even as his eye fell ON her, he saw a
man dart quickly from thicket by the
roadside. and by n blow from heavy
stick he carried. upon her feeble wrist,
caused her to drop the MS. upon tho
ground.
The attack was so sudden she scarcely
knew in what direction her foe had advan-
ced and not knowing by how many men
she might be surrounded, the afffighted
old woman sank upon the ground uttering
scream after scream for help.
Meanwhile the robber crouching close
against the rocks with his body half bent,
in order to conceal himself from Lucy's 5
sight, fed swiftly in an opposite direction
from that in which she had been going,
and was evidently making for the noun
tain path by which to effect his escape to
the village. AS he turned a sharp point
of rock. however, well directed blow
from Harvey's strong arm brought him
almost senseless 10 the earth.
"a Cowardiy minion OF an unprincipled
woman IL growled the old man, as he
secured the packet. and spurned the.
shrinking figure OF Ralph with his foot
=" Rise I'll not sully my hands with ano-
ther blow on so base a body. Rise, and
get thee to thy mistress, and tell her that
Alice Freeland has yet a fricndto protect
and defend her from the assaults of the
false and malicious d saui.
The baffied groom needed no second
warning. and springing to his feet hc
sneaked away.
Harvey hastened TO assist tho old wo.
man. who. quoted by his assurances OF
safety, and promise 10 mail the MS,
which he showed her was rescued, gave
up her intended visit to the village. and
hobbled back TO the manor, where, with
distended eyes and trembling lips, she
related to Alice her strange assault by
some "inviSitle being she had nepsr scea
gtore!"
Walking the floor OF the sumptuous
drawiDg.room, Lena Forrest, every few
moments approached the window and
peered anxiously out into the deepening
shadows of night. Her mother sat with
book upon her knee, but with her eyes
, eagerly following her daughters every
! move and gesture. Suddenly, darl
5 form passed beneath the easement, and
the young girl leaning out, exelaimed. il
r a husky voice.
, :. Ralph, did you succeed o.
, Fooled r. was the brief answer
: Fooled by. an old man, who bade ms
tell you that Alice Freeland yet had .
: protector"
, Harvey Hale again p calculated Le
, ma. turning to her mother. with fac,
blauched TO snowy hue. Z" He knew
, Ralph, and suspected me. When vii
! he have ceased 10 cross my path ?''---
And. hinging herself upon the sofa
/ she burst into food Of passionate tears
FRO BE coyTfNuED1