Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1853-10-26
cnAPrER sEvENrH.

strides hastened to Morgan Manor.
CHAPTER SEVENTH.
Alice Freeland stood with her face
closely pressed against window IN the
old room which fronted the mountain
Needless of danger, she hailed every
fash of lightning with Joy, as it revealed
to her portion of the road by which she
expected Robert and Lena to return
She. stood alone: her mother had sought
her chamber early. and sunk into deep
sleep of exhaustion. and old Lucy sat
trembling in the kitchen corner. AT
length, she turned from the window with
a gesture OF despair. exclaiming-
''Something must surely have happen
ed. That road is so dangerous IN
storm, and Robert is SO little acquainte d
with it. And 1 parted with him almost
in anger. Have not wronged him oI
late in believing him false? Yet he ne
yer asked rne to be his bride, aud Lena,
dear Lena, with her brightness, and beau
tv, and sweet manner"-
Her reflections were here interrupted
by the clutter of horses hoofs near the
house, and catching a light, she hastily
opened the door.
As she did so, gust of wind extin-
guished the lamp, and, at the same mo-
ment. a horse drew up painting before
her.
Lena, is it you ?" she asked, anxious
Iy.
There came no answer, and hurrying
back she struck light in small lantern,
and rushing forth, examined the animal
closely.
cit is Roberts horse, and riaerzess -
she exclaimed, in an agony of terror
g What can have happened 20
The same laugh that echoed over the
rocks at the disappearance of the noun
tain travellers, now fell harshly upon AL
ices listening ear, aud the next moment n
pair of strong arms caught her in their
firm hold, and bore her into the house
AS she was again placed upon her feet,
she turned trenblingly towards her COM
panion, and cry burst from her lips as
She beheld the figure of Harvey Hale at
her side.
"What do you know of them - she
exclaimed wildly, addressing him. ''Did
they reach your house ? What have you
done with them % she almost shrieked,
as Harvey stood Silently before her.
He answered slowly. at last, adopting
the metaphorical manner ofspeech which
he SO often used
Trouble is better nipped in the bud
than left to be blighted in the blossom
Sunshine will soften sorrow, and the enc
my that sleepeth is more harmless than
the one that worketh.'
Harvey, Harvey what do you mean?"
wept Alice Tell me, | pray, what has
happened -
Trees and precipices are mute, or
speak only language we cannot under
stand" was the answer, accompanied by
u low chuckle.
Alice stood looking at him for a mo-
ment, while an expression OF agonlzlnS
terror crept over her face; then catching
the lantern, she sprang forth, unsheltered
into the wild peltinss Of the storm. and
bounded swiftly along up the mountain
road.
Tears gushed in torrents from her eyes.
as she raised them supplicatingly to Hea-
ven, and her lips moved in earnest prayer
There was no pause in her wild course.
no thought of self in that young heart.
" Itcn ilFDOOc4 d1
Attending those She loved. The loosened
earth rolled from under even her light
footsteps, and threatened each moment to
cast her helpless to the ground. But she
needed nothing, saw no danger, felt no
fear. As the light of the lantern fell full
upon her face and white -robed figure, she
seemed like some gentle thing. half earth
f-Heaven, dislodged from flower
home by the fury of the tempest. She
paused not, until she reached the fallen
tree. Here was perfect barrier to heT
path, as the bushy top Obstructed the
whole road, and even extended over the
brink of the bank.
What shall do ? What can t do?'
wept Alice, in tones of despair and dis
appointment. as she was thus forced tc
pause.
:. Do what you should have done long
ago. said gruff voice behind her, "g'
home"
Alice turned. and perceived that Har
vey had followed her, leading oy the oil
die Roberts horse.
"Oh. Harvey ~ cried Alice, fingine
herself upon his breast. ''ifeTer you earet
for vour poor valley flower. aid her.
entreat YOU. now. My friends are perish
inc in this wild storm; help me. / implor'
YOU. to relieve them. Hark there IS |