St. Cloud Democrat. [volume] (Saint Cloud, Stearns County, Minn.) 1858-1866, 1863-12-24
LADY COURTHOPE'S; TRAP.

AhClC 10 oIOlu SaInCIlnS over the
Beacon Hill; the air is heavy with
thunder. Surrey, Richard, it we're
better event now to let your journey
fest, until TO morrow" a" Il ;'>.-s7>!,
/ The tall, bronzed knight standing
booted and spurred, with |is hand up-
On his ihofse's name, turned to look in
the fair, anxious face Of The lady by l.is
side. ..
"Ard iftke storm. should come, do
you think, My sweet wife, that Dick
CoAr'hoPe. has never ridden t. through
Of a wettias, s I could beeaE ny plesdSee se
to meet Philip 0x&e 81 MS is night at Chcs-
ter! No, 80. Oh1y let me find you
watching for me here at noon to:lnor-
row, with those same pink cheeks and
bright eyes, and l shall tcck little
whothur L ride in sunshine or in show
cr.. So, now. dear one, farewell, and
may God bless you;" and sprinsing in
to the saddle, the good knight waved a
last adieu, aud strottcd away. down the
long avenue.,is1,f., I'll. -. a1..'>' =.
His young wife's blue eyes followed
his rctresting figure with wistful gaze
until he halted at the great iron gates,
and passing through was hidden, from
her view; then, slowly turning, she
re@ounted the steps that led up to the
docr Of Ashurst Manor. house, The
gloomy red brick walls seemed to frown
upon her as she entered, the stained
glass window in the hall threw pur-
pic tint upon her face, and made itial-
most ghastly, and the oak floor gave
back hollow echo to her tread. = Just
then, a'door at the further end of the
hall was softly opened, and Marston,
The. old Butler, advanced towards. her,
Old he was in service, for he had lived
for more than thirty years at Ashurst
Manor, at first the page and play fellow,
then tho confidential servant and friend
Of his master, Sir Richard; vet mo,
Eold in years, for he was under fifty, his
black hair was still untouched with
gray, and there were few wrinkles iu
his hard keen face. He stopped nea,
Lady Courthope, glanced quickly al
her, hesitatcd a moment, and then said
in a respectful but constrained tome
"Surely, my lady, Sir Richard wifi no.
ride 70 Chester on such day as this 2
The lady looked up; as though sur
prised at his addressing her,, eyes,
she said, che, has just started. g, H,
laughs at the weather, but I -"
: t"There willsbe little cause to laugl
if thsi storm comes, and ther river il
a swollen" Marston exclaimed, abruptly
rYou ~ VII zee him back 1 yet my lad
he must must needs be il ID .Cheyte
= this evening, ",Ladyx Courthops j mad,
I answer, as, sitting d Sigh; she passes
: on 70 the 3dtawing prooal u nj .'qs4 81
The Butler lpoked after her s."Sh'
would have Us, ,beiieye, that she. care
for him, forsooth. He believes 1t. =
I He'has only eytsandsthoughts for her
now: Unce A6aHOuid nave tod HE al
about this Chester journey, but no11
that waxen doll hears all bis plans an,
. hardly Edeigns TO- speak, ,ef them to me
But I have learned all that I cared t
p lad~AS ASh Kiehasa hsast bgis Dteste
this night, ~ 10
Sst sst sa ssss g. Il Ss!ssSs9
spd i "a s57'Sk 49, '&3Ss :set
,Fshed. weird light % the mirrors an
'tpietures enttha, walls, while the. sb,gh
backed chairs, and carved tables cas-
sttantS d6couth shsdoRsa III around
as the lady made her way to the cusb
i ioqed sindpM.sest dApoM a. And dd ;eazed out 0,
ioth6 stormy sskJ.s r'sHo rides las(; hi
shotsS is sars ooted;2 the distance j.
;bro'? -