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

hun, showed plainly as an open oook, the
mist of doubt and distrust which was
slowly enshrouding his figure in her
heart while the rounded arm, entwining
Lena's waist, showed that all was trust
and love there, as of old Roberts cheek
flushed hotly for an instant. as his
glance read this, then his eye fell upon
Lena.
Her dark lashes were dropping softly
over her eyes, and her cheek shaded by
the heavy plume of her sable cap, while
her exquisite figure was drawn up to its
full height She struck the floor inpa-
tiently with the light lash of her riding
whip, and one little foot also beat rapid
tattoo on the carpet.
Roberts breast thrilled with a strange
emotion as he looked upon her. and ex-
pressing to Alice some regret at being de-
prived of her company, offered Lena his
arm to escort her to the saddle. Again
mounted, they turned their horses heads
toward the mountain road, and were soon
out of sight.
Harvey Hates hut stood upon the We
ry summit of the mountain. He had
come there years before, morose and
solitary man, communing with none, and
stunning as much as possible the busy
haunts of men. No one could learn from
whence he came, or what were his purpo-
ses or intentions. He answe red no ques-
tons. and ut last was left unmolested
when he entered the village to furnish
himself with provisions. and occasionally
some few books. Children learned to
dread the glance of his keen eye as they
met him, anil were eager to seek the op-
posite side OF the way. The villagers
whispered among themselves dark hints
Of past crime or present avarice, and the
gossips spoke boldly of the mountain mi
ser and his solitary pursuits. But Har-
vey passed hecdIessIy through the fire,
and these vague rumors at length died a
natural death, and he was regarded as
&c a strange old mau who had built his
| hermitage upon the mountain peak"
Being obliged to pass the manor in his
village pilgrimage, he hal pr 0ae be
come acquainted with its inmates but he
never addressed IL word to them, until
one day, little girl, throwing the light
of her blue eyes upon his haggIrd face,
spranm forward and offered him 4 cup of
cool water from the spring near which
she stood. This was Alice and her
simple and impuIsive act, so rrtushc with
! the natural goodness and innocence of her
rchitI-nature, drew tears from the stern
eyes nj the old man, and IN earnestly
eirt g3ated g Col bless yoYi"
tG fgonl that day Alice became his pet
He, brought her Howers from The noun
tain, and choice books from his isolated
home. He at last was Induced to enter
the house, and Mrs E'reeland WAS asto-
nished at the learning and intelligence,
united with the most polished ease of
manner and grace of action. There was
evidently mystery about him, which
would probably never be explained by his
own lips, and in fact, an explanation was
never sought.
As Alice grew older, she often visited
his hu,, and found therein library OF
select books, and several articles Of furni
ture, which were IN contrast with the eX-
terror of his dwelling. He was evidently
a man of refined taste aud superior intel
Iect, though subject to moods OF despon-
dency and bitter feeling. which had iudu-
ced some to believe he was crazed. But
Alice and her mother felt there was no
foundation for this, and the former lis
tened to the legendary lore with which he
was wont to amuse her, and sought his
counsel and guidance, till the two, the
old man and the young girl, became al
most necessary 10 each others existence.
Fifty winters had mingled their frosts
with Harvev's cbon locks, until they had
become an iron gray--l color well suited
Tor the stern, unbending brow beneath,
and the piercing, cynical glance of the
sharp, black eye. His strong frame
L l.
powers of endurance, and the forbidIing
cloud upon his brow. when met by any
fellow creature, told of some dark secret,
some hidden cause of grief, studiously
and iealously concealed from the world.
To all beyond the inmates of the Manor,
his bearing was grutf and stern; and his
uncouth garments, made entirely. of
squirrel skins, rendered him an object OF
curiosity whom few dared to approach.
The road to his hut hal been original
ly made for the purpose of drawing out
timber, but was little used, save by the
desolate old man, or some chance visitor
at his house. 1t had become rough
and dangerous path, which few would
care to traverse without the aid of sun
light, and the certainty OF being either
sure footed themselves, or having steeds
that were so.
Harvey was seated in the doorway,
porins over volume of old poems, as
Lena and Robert reined their painting
steeds before him. He closed his book
at Roberts greeting, and half rose to
meet him ; but as his eye fell upon Lena,
dark frown gathered upon his features,
and he resumed his seat without addres-
sing word to either
What is the matter, Harvey ?" ask
ed the young man in tone of astonish-
ment. :" Miss Forrest and myself have
dared the dangers OF the mountain, road