Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1857-10-29
Beautiful Gale.
CHAPTER I.
sEApowDALE--THE VISITOR.

HEA bOh NlSllDh.
II was an old and tine worn mansion,
standing upon the shore of silvsry lake.
The grape vine aud the willow were at ei-
ther side of the arched doorway, and upon
the moss cosessG iawd. the stslwast OAK
and spreading poplar tree reached ther
bous chs together aud formed Ia sequestered
shade beneath. profusion of wild and
lovely flowers were csrpeted along the
ground, making a picturesque contrast to
the dark giants of the woodland that tow
cred grinly by.
This was Meedowdale, the home of Major
William Dawson. Having descended from
one of the proudest families of Great Brit
ain, it should not be considered strange in
his .nnbibing some OF those national prejud-
ices which characterizes the oldfashioned
English gentleman, for in the present con
test between the mother country& the colo
nes,his synpsthies were enlisted infavor of
the former When pressed to define his posi-
ton, he never refused or eVaded. yet when
left alone he refrained rom mingiing in the
exciting disrutes of the time. His family
consisiedof himself, his wife, and the daughl-
er of q deceased brother.
Aary Dawsonzwa indeed noble girl
A fnshioDabie. .ccnnisseur. perchance might
not have loved her beautifully developed
form, rosy cheeks ana sparkling eyes; yet,
for oil this, she was a lovely creature-at
least SO thought the doating uncle and afec-
tionate aunt, as they W atched her fairy-like
figure gliding gaily'aIo the lakelet bank
of Mssdewdale. II .hs..ff
But was the blythe Mary ever to remain
the same bright drnamentto the household
of her relatives! This vas a point they
liked not TO dwell upon. The maiden had
seen and loved young man whose home
was not far away; and thather affection was
returned, she mad good reason 10 believe
still 10 e was sure her uncle and aunt knew
it no., and anticipating their opposition, hst
concealed from them the timid emotions oi
her heart In part, this ruse might have
been successful--yet it. could not5lind the
eyes of her uncle to the presence of young
Raymond, the hunter.
There was large antique corridor lead
ing around the Meadowdale mansion, anC
upo.i this the family had assembled. 1t was
a warm and gentle morning oil early sum.
> mer-such nh one as could net tail to wiz
the smiles OF Natures own admirers. A
faint breeze rustled among the grape vine:
that twined along the pilisrs OF the bala S
trade, lingering on its way to whisper 10 al
unknown tongue to the group g. ;hen movt
cs again. Nearly an hour passed when tht
party were aroused by hearing the click o
an iron-bouno hoof in the highway Ii adm.
to their home. They listened. and ere ioni
the gate xas thrown back upon its hinges
ard horsemsn, mounted upon coal bllcl
charger, approached them.
As the stranger drew near, bis degre
could sasil, have been told, for the scsrle
sash that hung from his waist-the neat un
dress military coat, and costly trappings @
his steed marked him as an officer OF III
British army. Prominent among his fes
lures was the eye-'twas black as sloe
and seemed ever wandering from one oh
iect 10 another; yet when once fixed in it
gaze, it seemed to pierce the very objec
through. His hair was also dark and fe
earelessiy over the snowy linen colSa
while the high forehead, regularly shape
features and gentlemanly bearing woul
render him far from unprepossessing-to th
- observing he appeared the intelligent an
courteous cavalier.
He had evidently visited Meadowdal
before, for the group quickly recognize
him--but with different emotiors. TIL
Majors countenance lighted up with hol
pitabls grati6eat;on as he marked the trool
ers approach, and he srose from his sea
and waved his white handkerchief momeI
in token of pleasure. An anxious and trout
led look appeared upon the features of Mr.
Dawson, and she gszed half beseechinpI
from the horssmsn to her niece and hu