Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1867-04-05

nele anu there, IN sunny, sheltered
hooks, the velvet grass glowed green
~ beneath dead, rustling leaves.
had been down in the woods piling up
and trimming the logs | had yester-
day cut, and on returning up the mar
row glen path | saw the light futter
of a scarlet shawl cross the window
of my little dwelling from the inside.
More company" l thought, with a
quick, electric bound at my heart !;
for | knew there was but one woman
for miles around who would be likely
to visit me, and then, besides, Babara
Wycliffe's sweet eyes were like lode
stars to me, and | felt it must be her.
[ sprang up the slope with a move
ment as light as my heart, and enter
ed at the wide open door.
Barbara" I said, holding out both
my hands, "this is an unexpected
pleasure"
She had been crimson when my
footStep first sounded on the thres-
hold; now she turned deadly pale
with a whiteness that startled me.
"Oh, it is You, Reuben-Mr. Eyre d?
I'm so glad you've come. IL" she
stammered and suffered painfully ,and
was much confused. Il was look
ing for our stray guinea-fowls in the
woods above, and / went farther than
had any idea Of | was very tired,
and | thought | would stop in a mo-
ment and rest.
"And you are as welcome as flow
erS in May, Barbara; but you hno,C
you are"
For she had smiled up in my face
with an arch, half-doubtful look
There was no question of absent color
now; her cheeks glowed like-like-
like the velvet petals of a "Giant of
Battles" rose, | suppose the poet
would say; but | thought of the red
glare of the locomotives headlight
which always was beautiful to me.
and did you find the runawayS !?
NO. | think they must be down
in the maple swamp. shall looS
there for them tomorrow. But, Mr.
Eyre, want TO say besides" She
hesitated and hung down her head.
"Well Barbara, what?' | added.
Il don't know" she said convulsive
.ly. u don't know what, But ! came
to-to warn YOU"
Again the deathly pallor came oveI
her face. There was strange start
led look in her large brown eyes.
"Warn me, Barbara of what 2"
"Of him--ot tn a man--Johl
, Walker"
| had felt when she said she haC
come to warn me that it was of tha
man. She was surprised that Wa
, not startled, and asked me hurriedly
! "What was he doing here to-day
, Reuben ?"
+ did look at her in astonishmen
this time
, Has he been here to-day Barbara
You are thinking of yesterday eve
I, ning?" | suggested,
NO, am not" she answered impe
uously. am not thinking of yeste
day evening. mean to-day; not a
f hour ago
"What makes you think he Wa
: here, Barbara ?"
because saw him; because /
followed him. | knew he was bel
. on mischief, and mischief against you
/ shook my head doubtluIly.
, Are you quite sure that you al
not mistaken? For if he had bee
+ here, would he not have staid to st
n me? When did you see him her
\, and where ?"
-" Il tell you it was but q little viii
ago. He means you mischief, Reube
r be sure of that. saw him put
At large knife in his breast as he left Il
d house, and | followed him-follow'
o. him until | saw him reach the doc
ut He stopped by the door, and sto
7s still for minute or two as If he we
" listening"
nt perhaps he was listening to lie
" if / were at home.
= II NO., -,,uo of - and | of rtoJ
no the run to the house to warn yo
al- but | was so agitated | could 1
move fast. | saw him enter, and
no tried to scream, but could not. |
d he would do you an injury with tt
IT. knife"
"Well ?"
~ "Well, he went in and closed
II. door beh nd him, but he did not
n. main there mora than two mlnut
for as I ran Fsaw him come out ag
m and strike right into the woods to
he left"
THAT is the shortcut to the +
to road switch. Perhaps he expected
a's find me there.
perhaps he did," said Barbara
"Or possibly-the green eyed m
in. ster' was reasserting its presence o
blv more, and trying to smile, | salt
to ''possibly he knew you were out,
aen hoped to meet you somewhere In
an vicinity"
ca. Barbara's long lashes drooped
av. moment; then there was a flasl
he her eyes; aud then she answe
the carelessly with just a percept
an. sneer:
at is just possible that he did,
,n,t why he should arm himself to n
90 me is beyond my comprehension.
all events he went the wrong wa.
,uld Good evening"
arse "Surely you are not going yet
ira "I must, thank you. Father
arty certainly think | am lost if | don't
or ry home.
idea | glanced at the clock in the