Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1859-01-20
MAT WARD;
THE TORY'S DOOM.
BY the Author of The Scout Of the Lake, Waldo,
Life on the Border" &C., &c.
CHAPTER XVII.

sI4sis
CHAPTER XVII.
FOE WHO PROVES FRIEND.
The intelligence communicated to Putnam by
Watson, the Scout, caused not little surprise
in the stern old patriots mind, and keenly re-
alyinr the great service which Mark Lincoln
had conferred, he dispatched message in re-
turn, expressing his warmest gratitude for the
knowledge of a scheme which, if matured and
carried into effect, would involve the heroes
who were contending bravely against almost in
surmountable obstacles, in new difficulties, and
perhaps result in the defeat of the most import
ant plans necessary to the successful prosecution
of the war. The missive closed witha desire to
receive Mark, Putnam promising to use bis in
Auence in favor of promoting him to an I'M
portant post, left vacant by the recent decease
of one of their officers. Though gratifed by
the distinguished mark of favor which Putnam
would confer upon him, Mark was not for a
moment tempted to desert the post he then held
for one where he could win greater renown.
A short distance from the swamp retreat OF
Mark Lincoln's band was situated small log
cabin. There was nothing prepossessng in its
outward appearance, and few save the owner
ever entered it. 1t had been built with evident
care and taste, and the grounds within the little
enclosure evnced the fact that woman's hand
had once been busy in adorning the spot, and
although some three miles from any other hab-
itation, yet there had been time when this
clearing in the wilderness was made to I" bios
som as the rose." Often in the Spring time,
when the balmy breath that unlocked the icy
fetters of the stream which ran past the cottage,
making music as it dashed over the white peb
bles, visible, through it's crystal depths, upon
the bottom; when all nature seemed glad, and
the Isatin songs Of birds brEathed incense to
God for his goodness in giving earth her gorgeous
drapery--at such times as these vines had clam
bered over the roof of the hut, and the little
plot in front was redolent with the aroma OF
countless flowers. But now a pail seemed cast
over the cottage. Winter and Summer alike
the blackened vines shrouded the cottage in
gloom, and tangled grass and rank weeds fillet
the enclosure. The fence, too, was broken
and all connected with the hut betokened neg
lect.
1t was nearly dusk when a man of uncouti
appearance wended his way up the path which
led to the hut. He stopped ere he entered th
yard, and leaning on his rife gazed at the cot
tage, while the expression of his features tolC
of the emotions which moved him. His eye
cleaned brightly as he gazed, and his face wa
distorted with passion.
g. 1t was otalways thus-n always thus,
he muttered, speaking slowly to himself
"Once that roof was covered with flowers
once the garden seemed perfect Eden in th
wilderness once q sister was at the gate tt
meet me as | came home at night; once fel
her kiss on these sun-burned cheeks, felt thos
white arms twined lovingly around my neck
and her gentle words upon the sn-hardene'
heart like water upon thirsty ground, anC
sometimes it seemed as If could be a mai
among my fellows, renounce the evils whcl
surrounded me, and live a virtuous life. Nov
where is she? Why does she not come to gree
me tonight? Why do not feel her head pil
lowed upon my bosom, and her arms aroun
my neck? Men call me an outlaw the vrtu
Gus shun me, but were she here, it would nc
IL D,k Il. 4 hos, -
The grave is too cruel to grant me this boom
Aal yet, could bear it, could bow beneath
"a, s.thout murmer, had her gentle spirit Ae
in peace from its earthly tenement But sue
death Dishonored and then spurned-'ay
spurned by the man upon whom she lavshed a
the affection of her angelic nature. Man, d
say? Demon, villain, viper charming
his hellsh arts, that he might the easier sla,
Well, repinings will not bring her back yet
cannot visit this old hut without feeling thus.
lie shouldered his rifle and approached Il
yard, and having entered it, he neared a sp
in the garden where the tangled weeds al
grass had been partially cleared away. He
was u HuouHu upoH WniCu oumc hOHcro ndu w
planted, and at its head was slab upon whi
he had inscribed his sisters name.
Yes,'' he murmured, as he arose and emit
cd the cabin, . ts as left it. No hand h
been near to destroy the flowers which plant
there.
After he had deposited his rife in corner
the room he had just entered, he threw asi
the rough hunting-cap he wore, and striking
light, entered small room adjoining, and s.
ting down the light, seated himself, after havi
first fastened the door by which he entered.
The room in which he was in was not such
one as you would expect to seq after hayi
viewed the unpromising exterior. There "
bed in one corner, whose snowy drapc
formed a striking contrast to things withol
and near by it was small stand, upon whi
were lew books, miniature case, and 9th
articles, evidently gifts to their possessor.
furniture consisted Of few. roughly ma
chairs, and the room itself differed but lit
from the interior of the cabins of the seltl
in the Province. The occupant Of the rot
surveyed all within, and at last his eve res
np)n the miniature case on thestaud. Insta
ly his features assumed that stern, veuge