Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1858-12-02
MAT WARD;
OR,
THE TORY'S DOOM.
A Tale Of the Days that Tried Mems Souls.
BY the Author Of "he Scout Of the Lake Waldo, or
Life on the Border" &C., &c.
CHAPTER x.
THE SHADOW ON THE HEART.


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CHAPTER K.
THE SHADOW ON THE HEART.
A month hal elapsed since the incidents re-
corded in our last chapter transpred. Mabel
Archer had received Mark Lincoln's letter,
bringing to her the joyful tidings of his safety
and SUCCESS in defeating his Tory enemies. But
since the night upon which he called at the
cottage, a shadow seemed casting its gloom
over her spirit, that she tried in vain to dispel.
She could not tell why it rested there, but only
felt that some evil was to befall her ere she
should see Mark again; and as she thought of
1t day by day, the shadow deepened, and when,
for moment ray of sunlight dispelled the
gloom, as she received the letters which Cato
brought her, it was but to leave the contrast
between sorrow and happiness more apparent to
her mind, If the evil she feared was only
known, only visible, that she might contend
with it, she felt that the cloud would not rest
80 heavily upon her spirit. But alas, this boon
was not granted her. Palmer, the Tory, had
not visited the cottage since his attempt to de-
fame the character Of Mark Lincoln. Her firm
denial of the charges he had brought against
one she had learned to look upon as the emb bod
imcnt of all that was good and noble in man,
and refusal to see him again unless he could
substantiata what he had stated, was an efectual
barrier to his intercourse with Mabel.
1t was mild genial day. The monday
meal being over, and the cloth removed, Mabel
ordered Cato to saddle her horse and bring it to
the block in front of the cottage.
Where are you going, my dear? - asked
Mrs. Archer, us Cato departed to do Mabel's
bidding
"Only for ride, mother, You will not miss
me here for awhile"
"You ride often of late," said Mrs. Archer,
gazing anxiously into her daughters face,
"It agrees with M. dear mother, and en-
joy it much. 1t is the only pastime have,
you know. Yet if you do not wish to stay
alone will defer it to-day
"No, no Mabel, 60. | can content myself
without you for a few hours. 1t is strange you
look 50 pale lately, and that too after your re-
turn from these excursions"
Mabel turned away her head, and gazing out
at the window made some triaing remark about
the view before her. But she scarcely knew
what she uttered, for she only wished to hide
from the eye of her mother the crimson tint
upon her fair brow which her remark haC
placed there. She stood for moment in ST.
le nee, as her mother made no further remark
until Cato led the horse-a black, spirited ami
mal-up to the door
This yere hoss 'pe.rs uncommon frisky to-
the reins and keep em tight"
"Never fear, Cato. Benny will not be un
ruly when manage him."
The animal pricked up his ears, as he heard
his mistress voice, and laid his nose upon the
window sill by which she was standing. She
passed her hand caressingly over his sleek neck
and then turning to her mother, she stood over
the couch and imprinted a kiss upon her wan
cheek She then turned towards the door, and
passing to the block, sprang lightly upon Ben
ny's back, who seemed by his actions to realize
whom he carried Tightening the rein, she
spoke but a word, and he bounded swiftly
away Mabel did not check the speed of hei
horse until she arrived at the old oak, where she
expected to find letter from Mark. She had
scarcely checked her horse, and was about tc
spring from the saddle, when her eye caught
the form OF man leaning against a tree but
few rods distant, and evidently watching he,
movements. He was coarse-featured villain
ouslooking fellow, and sudden fear took pos
session of Mabel's mind that he was there fol
no good purpose. She could not obtain th'
letter without revealing the secret hiding place
and she did not wish to return without it.
thought of deceiving him, if he were in reality
spy upon her movements, crossed her mind
and dismounting, she pretended to alter par
Of the saddle This done, she mounted onc
more and touching Benny with small twig
which she broke from tree near the path, h
ebdrbou dllu uuol0u away ulinoot Will tue epcet
of the wind. On, on, she rode, till a half hou
had elapsed, and then she again turned in th
direction of the oak. As she neared it, sh
gazed cautiously around, and no one being il
view, she dismounted, reached forth her hand
removed the moss, and eagerly grasped the mis-
sive which lay beneath it, Turning around
she beheld, almost within her reach, the maj
she had before seen and with startled excla
nation thrust the letter into her bosom.
Hope didn't skeer yc, Miss" said the maj
with a laugh, while an evil light CLEANED in hi
eye.
81 confess was somewhat startled, replied
Mabel, as she gathered the reins in her hand
preparatory to springins to her seat
"Sha'n't help your sud the man, ap
preaching Il step nearer
"ND, sir; can easily mount without aid.
The man did not cease his approach, an
soon neared the tree from whence Mabel ha
obtained the letter.
That ar $ splendid beast he remarked
swinging small switch in the air, whic
caused Benny to start so suddenly as to ncarl
release tho reins from Mabel's hand.