Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1867-03-15

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question Of absent color now; her cheeks
| glowed like-like-like the velvet petals Of
"Giant of Battles rose, l suppose the
poets would say; but thought of the red
glare of the locomotives headlight, which
was always beautiful to me.
And did you find the runaways?"
No think they must be down in the
maple swamp shall look there for them
tomorrow. But, Mr.. Eyre, wanted to
say, besides" She hesitated and hung
| down her head
"Well, Barbara, what ?" asked.
u don't know she said, cOnvulslvely.
II don't know what. But | came Toto
warn you
Again the deadly pallor came over her
! face There was strange, startled look in
her large brown eyes.
| Warn me, Barbara. or what7"
| "Of him-of that man-John Walker"
| | had felt when she said she came 10
warn me that it was of that man. She was
surprised that I was not startled, and asked
me, hurrriedly:
"What was be doing here today Reu-
ben ?"
dill look at her in astonishment this
time
HAS he been here to-day, Barbara?
You are thinking Of yesterday evening
suggested.
No, l am not" she answered. impetu-
ously. a am not thinking of yesterday
evening. I mean to-day not an hour
| ago"
"what makes you think he was here,
Barbara"
because saw him; because IL fol-
Ioscsd him. l know he was bent on mis-
chief, and mischief against you
I shook my head dOubtfully.
"Arc -Ou quite sure you are not mis-
taken? For if he had been here, would
he not have staid TO see me? When did
You see him here, and whereY
- tell you it was but little while ago.
He means YOU mischief, Reuben be sure OF
that l sac him put large knife in his
breast as he left the house, and l followed
him-iollowed him until l saw him reach
the door. He stopped by the door, and
stood still minute or two as II he were
listening.
Perhaps he was listening to hear if /
were at home.
II was sure of it, and / started on a run
to the house to warn you; but was so
agitated | could not move fast saw him
enter and I tried to scream but could not
felt lie would do an injury with that
knife"
"Wens"
"Well, he went in and closed the door
behind him, but he did not remain there
more than two minutes; for "a l ran saw
him come out again and strike right into
the woods to the left
That is the short cut TO the railroad
switch. Perhaps he expected to ind me
there"
"Pechaps he did" said Barbara.
"Or possibly the " green-eyed mon
ster" was reasserting its presence once
more" possibly he knew you were out,
and hoped TO meet you somewhere in the
vicinity"
Barbara's long lashes dropped for mo-
ment; then there was fash in her eyes;
and then she answered, carelesSiy, With
just perceptible sheer:
1t is Just possible that he did, though
why he should arm himself to meet me is
beyond my comprehension. At all events
he went the wrong way. Good evening.
Surely you are not going vets"
Il must, thank you. Father will GER
tainly think l am lost if / don't hurry
home.
glanced up at the clock in the corner.
Il was rather earlier than Ihad thought
only half past five.
you VIII let me walk with you as far
the bridge, Barbara
Ordinarily she would have hesitated
while, or else have uncomprOmisingly re-
fused my escort. She possessed oil the
impulses and wiles of finished drawing
room coquette. this little rustic maiden of
the wilderness, and seldom missed an
opportunity OF tormenting me as much as
possible | had offended her by my allu-
sion to John Walker, and though pre-
viously she had seemed almost unlike her
usual piQuant capriciOus self. the DISPOSE
ton to coQuet with me seemed about return
ing Yet, after moments hesitation, she
grew serious again Had deemed it pos
sible that she could ever experience the
sensation of personal fear, should have
fancied that she was afraid Of something or
somebody, for her hand trembled as she
laid il on my arm. And al the same time
there was an inscrutible something in the
melting darkness of her eye that seemed TO
appeal to me with voiceless cry for help.
"What is il, Barbara" / questioned,
instinctively.
She looked wonderingly at rne-the look
had all gone out Of her eyes now.
Nothing l did not speak"
"But what ails you?" Why are you 50
so depressed in spiritse"
Il feel there is something wrong-that
man--you have escaped him this time, but
l want you to be wary of him"
"For your sake?" I ventured, stutter-
ingly and hesitatingly.
"For your own sake" she answered;
and then both of US were silent for some
time.
What a delightful, dreamy walk that
was, down TO the bridge, whose rude planks
spanned the shallow, brawling stream,
with the low sun hanging like ball of
gold above the purpled woods, and the air
full of fragrant breathings Of the spring
tide, whose coming footsteps were already
sweet upon the hiilsl Pleasant in spite of
warning and Walker. Barbaras softly
spoken "Good-byi" sounded like saddest
music as turned away from the bridge,
regretting that / could not prolong the
rambling tete-a-tete TO an indefinite length.
A few PAGES higher up / turned once
more to watch the scarlet CLEAN of Bar
bara's wrappings through the column-like
trunks of the leafess trees, and as my eye
rested on this one bright glimpse of color
tall figure emerged with stealthy air
from the thickets beyond and joined her.
1t was John Walkers self, How the
sharp pang of jealousy shot through my
heart as | saw him bend over her little
hand, and still hold it in his as he walked
by her side, apparently talking in the most
earnest manner. Was it q preconcerted
interview between them? Had she told
him to meet her as soon as /, the deluded
dupe, was safely out of the ways Did
they make my home a rendezvous, to
escape the eyes of her father? Or did
they
Harki Surely that was cry, wild and
startling full Of horror, that disturbed the
gloomy current of meditations-ac cry from
Barbara Wycliffe's lips. From my COM