Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1867-05-03

IL safe, stopped, sought out sheI
tered glen by stream of water, ant
striking a fire, examined Florence
wound. She had tainted; | knew i
some time before, by the dead weigh
dropping against my shoulder. Hel
arm was broken just above the wrist
and the blood was flowing from the
Icontusion. | was something of sur
geon, and set the bone to the best of
my ability, and bound up the part
with my handkerchief. Th en- /
brought water from the brook and
bathed her forehead: and | don't
know as it was anybody's business if
| pressed kisses on her cold lips, and
held her, and the kitten too. to nv
breast as | never held any other wo-
man before, as | shall never hold any
other. She came to consciousness at
last-weak. helpless, but full of quiet
content. She did not shrink away
from me as | feared she would. She
trusted me like a little child and
that fact alone would have won for
her my heart, if | had not given it to
her at first sight
BY SLOW journeys, stopping frequent
ly to rest, my faithful horse bore her
to the next village, where she receiv-
ed medical aid.
told my story and accompanied
the authorities back to the Pine Tree
House. 1t was as I had expected,
the landlord was dead, and the land.
lady had gone from the place. What
became of her we never knew. We
buried the man OF the spot where he
met his death, and left the place in
deSolatioD.
The day before, | had thought my
business SO pressing as to admit of
no delay; now did not think Of bus
mess until she reminded me Of it, by
asking if | must leave her.
DO you want me to stay ?" l ask
Ell dreading her reply.
She looked at me with her clear,
truthlul eyes for she was no graceful
coquatte. to say one thing and look
another.
10 not wish you to 90, she said,
% | saalI feel as il the power OF that
mau is upon me, if you are away
Will YOU not stay ~
Stay? yes, 50 long as you desire
me to" | replied passionately. watch
ing the slow color that came into her
face, making it so beautiful.
4 week later, took Miss Huntress
to New York. Ny mother cared for
her until she was fully recovered. and
| saw her almost daily. She left the
arrangement Of her business affairs
entirely with me, and | laid NV plans
with deIiberation.
Gregory 9ayneha made her suffer,
and confess to little reyengtul feel
ING towards him on account of it.
wanted my blow, when ii did fall, to
strike home. He was engaged to a
very fashionable, hcartless young
beauty, and the wedding was arrang-
ed to come off in an up to VA church,
only patronized by genteel people.
1t was with some difficulty that
won Florence to my plan; but she did
consent at last; and when the day Of
the bridal arrived, we rode down to
the church. Everything was on a
magnificent scale. The decorations
were superb, the bride was naughty
and beautiful and the groom selfim-
portant. The ceremony had con-
menced, when, leading Florence in
front of the bridal party, l paused, and
she threw back her veil.
Never Shall [ forget the change that
came over the face of Gregory Payne.
He grew absolutely livid, dropping
the hand of his expected bride he
cluug to the altar rails for support.
The clergyman stood for d moment
speechIeSS, and the hush which fell up
on the entire company-moSt Of whom
had been the friends and acquaint-
anoes Of Miss Hmtress-was almost
fearful in its intensity. At length the
clergyman spoke;
"Florence Huntress, has the grave
indeed given YOU back to life ?'
1t never claimed me" she said
speaking clearly, with her cal ID
steady eye fixed on the shrinking
Payne Gregory Payne had not The
courage to murder me He sent mt
to the western wilds under the survciI
lance Of a man only little more vilt
than himself For two years have
been a prisoner, confined in u wretch
ed hovel. shat out from the light OF
day. dtpglyed OF all lifeS blessings
while yonder villain has rioted in my
possessions. But through the good
ness of God. who has a care over al
his creatures, this kind friend has
rescued me from a living death--anc
| am here to deGounce Gregory Payne
as a miserable felon.
Payne cast one look at the face OF
the woman he had been about to mar
ry; and, amid the murmurs of execra
ton from every lip, he made a dasi
for the door. A hundred hands wer
lifted to stop his flight; but he evade'
them, and made his escape. 1t wa
better SO, perhaps. We never hear
what was his fate. In all probabilit
he fed from the country.
! Florence took possession of tn
home of which her miserable cousi
/, , had despoiled her, and | felt as if
7 great deep rolled between US. Sh
: was an heiress now; | poor MAJ
| was too proud to go to her; but on
I. day she came to me, put her hands ]
mine, looked into my eyes, and-wel
r fnro,o+ hor wal ~, Il old hay. Ii n