Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1857-10-09

few PAGES from them, her face white and
rigid, as though death had struck sudden
Iy at her heart.
There was something in that stone
face that chilled both of the young men,
and they sprang eagerly towards her,
crying Lefty what is the matter? q
They saw what it was then. and the
faces of these two strong men grew white
as the girls for there, peering out with |
their wild, glaring, hunger-lighted eyesI
from the low underbrush, were two large
bears crouched down, ready to spring
upon them.
The young mems question broke the
spell of horror which had transfxed Let
ty Pease. With a low shrek she sprang
past her companions, and with a cry,
fearful in its rage and hunger, the ami
mails rushed out.
Jason Williams followed her, for the
men had no weapons-those beasts were
wild, savage, hunger-mad, and the love
Of life was strong within him-no won
der that he soon outstripped the girl,
whose trembling limbs were a poor match
against her pursuers.
1t was a fearful race. They gained
upon her in the first few rods. God of
Heaven, help herr groaned the white
lips Of Seth Peters.
And God heard that prayer, moaned
out in that terrible agony. There gleam-
ed out suddenly upon him, from among
the gray tangled grass Of the last year,
a large axe, which Enoch had ground
sharply three days before, to make an
incision in the maply trunks, and thrown
down there in haste or forgetfuIness.
Seth caught it up eagerly, and with a
loud shout he bounded forward. Lefty
was nearly half way across the lot, but
it was large one, and in her terror she
had taken circuitous route, which the
bears had followed, 50 the distance be-
tween Seth and them was only few
rods.
He shouted to Lefty to turn into the
the meadow; it was strange that she
heard him, but she did, and instinctiyeIy
obeyed.
A run Of few yards, which the young
man accomplished quicker than our pen
has written it, brought Seth face to face
with the wild animals. 1t required q
stout heart to confront those two raging
i |ravenous animals, but Seth Peters
thought only that death was close to the
woman that he loved
A moment more and It had reached
her. The hot breath Of tie beasts drift
ed across her flying feet, as the miller
rushed by her; for in turning toward
the meadow she had shortened the dis
tance between him and herself; indeed
at the farthest, it had been only a fev
rods.
The foremost animal came up to tn
young mantle heavy paws were placed
on his shoulder-now, Seth Peters,
stout arm and a brave heart viii onl,
: avail you-the axe comes down heavil,
it has done its work well. Do yor
see the bear sink with a growl Of terro
and pain, while the hot blood gurgles u
from his cleft throat.
lis mate sees all this, and with a re
Ponsive growl of fright and despair
rushes back to the woods, and Seth
safe.
. " Lefty! Lefty they are gone ~
The voice swelIs loud and triumphan
L to the ear of the poor girl, who, sti
imagining the bears are pursuing hel
ran wildly on in the direction Of he
II home.
: She pauses a moment. But tha
I clear, strong, triumphant voice sends
, new tide Of hope bounding through be
soul. a few minutes later, and her whit
o face steals up close to Seth's, as he stand
: there watching the last gasps beavin
d the huge black frame Of the bear.
ie Lefty let Us thank God for tn
ie great deliverance J?
y They kneel down there together, an
n' the sad moon and the sweet spring sta
le look on them as the young miller's dee
sl voice sends up its eloquent thanks to IL
0i All-Father.
But Letty's fair head droops low'
e and lower, and when Seth looks on'
I'd more in her face the blue eyes do n
r. answer him.
p Poor Lefty the terror has been tt
as great for her. No wonder she has fain
to ed with the great joy Of deliverance fro
death.
ar Suddenly across the field breaks II