Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1860-06-15

notice it, but she could not help thinking
that his whole manner toward her was very
unusual, for he continued to look away from
her without speaking.
"What tronbles you brother?" asked
she laying her hand aifectiontely upon his
arm, but he said nothing, and continued
driving swiftly without even stopping to
leave her at the school-room door.
"Why, look, Lucius," exclaimed Lilbel,
"you are passing the schoo-room now
What can be the matter with your"
Nothing" said her companion, who was
no other than Leland Raymond in disguise.
Then, with movement quick as thought,
he clasped wide steel spring over the
lower part of her face, completely covering
her mouth, drew a thick veil over her face
caught both hands in one of his, ard urg.
ing the horse forward while he exclaimed,
There now my pretty one, have got you
in my power, and yoa oiU nerer get away"
Dark indeed, and bitter, were the thoughts
that passed through Lilibel's mind as she
sat in the carriage by her prosecutor, all
the long weary day. And it was not until
he had forced from her promise to be
quiet that the spring was removed from her
face, and his vice-like grasp from her hands.
Then she was very quiet, but only because
she dared not be otherwise.
For several days their journey was con-
tinued, and as it drew near close, Ray
mond placed tight bandage over the eyes
of his unhappy captive. To this injustice
she peacefully submitted, never thinking
that this was done to hide from her view
the scenes so familiar TO her childhood.
And when she was taken from the carriage
in the twilight, and permitted to look upon
the forest around her, she had no idea that
she was within a few miles of her old home.
Raymond here took her by the hand, say
ing, Well, Lilibel, we havn't much farther
to 90, but you will be obliged to walk, as no
carriage can penetrate this wilderness.
shall take you 10 cabin over mile from
here. There are several of my compan-
ions there, but they will not harm you.
You will be allowed a little room by your
self and l shall require you to be very
lady-like, never trying to escape, and never
speaking evil of me before my componions,
If l am obeyed l shall be very kind to you
and when you are little older, l will marry
you and take you 10 your parents"
"No, nol That can never be ]" ex
claimed LilibeI drawing herself up ant
curling her lip in scorn. ! will nerer marry
you Think you l would ever marry one
who has stolen me from my happy home
No, never You say must be lady-like
Sir, have you ever known me TO be other
wise? Or am in the habit of speaking
evil of any one?"
al meant no offense," stammered Ray
mond, awed by the steady glance of hel
eye of purity.
Perhaps not, but remember, shall ge
away from you if possible, but if not will
maintain my rights. / ,oiH not be dictated
by you!" replied Lilibel, her eyes glowing
with indignation.
You are in my power, and cannot es
cape. Only be quiet and shall not trouble
you, but i you are not you shall be my
} welded wife ere another morning dawns,
said Raymond fierceIy.
The unhappy girl dared not reply, anC
they walked on in silence, until they
reached the counterfeiter's money-caml
before described. Here supper was place,
before her, and then she was shown TO thu
little apartment that had been fitted up ex
: pressly for her.
Deep and fearless was the utter anguisl
, felt by that fair child as she laid her hea'
on the pillow that night. And what won
: der, when we remember that she was ia
, removed from all she loved, in the midst o
dense wilderness, surrounded by five o
t six young men, only one of whom she ha
= ever seen before, and in him she coul
e place no confidence! What wonder tha
for two or three nights sleep was stran
!. ger to her, and when at last her eyes wer
e closed in forgetfulness, it was only to drear
t of being tormented and prosecuted, Will
n her mother stood afar off, weeping, and ur
J. able to aid her.
IS Thus long, lonely days, weeks, and eve
a months, passed and Lilibel was still an il
IS mate of tie mountain cabin, with no poss
: bility of escape. True, Raymond was ofte
5, absent for whole day, but she never wa
n left entirely alone. All the company trea
n ed her with the greatest respect, but n
a one dared TO lend her helping hand. A
: length, on the very day that Raymond ha
!, so unexpectedly met her two brothers, b
d returned to the cabin in state of unusu;
n excitement, saying ccnAdentially to one I
: his companions, "The Randalls mistru.
IS me. are now in town, and actually had th
impudence to ask me what knew Of thei
sister. OF course | was very ignorant, an
L. -.-oa 7 laf, honaa Ruf