The native Virginian. [volume] (Orange Court House, Va.) 1867-187?, 1867-12-13

! almost necessarily have been produced.
But no-not by single sign, or look,
or deed, did Sidney Lascelles show that
the marriage was other than pleasing
to him ON the contrary, he heartily
congratulated his uncle, and expressed
a hope that he might be blessed with an
| heir, who should succeed to the honors
that his Lordship had so successfully
borne. Every one praised him, and
when, some short time afterward, he
left Averil Castle for the metropolis,
the golden opinions ofall was showered
upon him. Far different was the opin-
ion in which, however uncharitable it
might have been, indulgedsh t
Ihadnever liked him, notwithstand-
ing, his extreme courtesy. and now my
aversion to him was more than ever;
| for | felt assured that these very amia-
BILE feelings were feigned, and, in short,
he was playing the part OF = miserable
hypocrite. Catch linn in his natural
mood, and you see that the proud pa
trician lips eurled with an unbecoming
hauteur, and that the mien, though lofs.
ty, was insolent; the eyes, those never
decciying characteristics, were danger
Gus ones. These jetty orbs would glis-
ten with unnatural brightness, and roll
with an almost fiendish leer. Despite
his outward department, | was con-
Yinced that Sidney Lascelles was viii
lain. ia4if-3
On q wild and tempestuous night l
was aroused by ono Of the Averil SER
wants, who excitedly informed me that
Lady Ayeril required my immediate
assistance, adding that his Lordship
ayas almost frantic, believing his wife to
be dying. 'o
Hastily attiring myself, muffipg up in
warm garments, in order to avoid, as
much as possible, the inclemency otthe
weather, mounted my horse, which
had been saddled, and made at once for
the castle, accompanied by the servant
who had summoned mes
The night was indeed fearful one /;
the wind howled with sullen roar,
and the rain came pouring down with
terrific violence, whilst every now and
then the lightning darted in vivid flash
es, and the thunder rolled deadening
with its awful noise all other sounds.
"The brook is fearfully SWOLLEN, sir"
the man servant said 81 had great diff
iiculty in getting across. Even yester-
day, owing to the heavy rains, it was a
considerable size, but tonight the wa
ter is pass the 'sHollow Oak" alluding
to well known old tree on one side Of
the stream.
"Then,n said, ''I fear it will be i'm
possible for us to cross it now."
81 am afraid so, sir,'' he replied.
On we galloped, fast as the quiyering
steeds could go, and still there were two
miles of hilly road to be accomplished,
before we could reach he.bank; on still
we dashed through the angry storm,
with the darkness ever around, save
when rapid flash of the electric fluid
would, by its transient brightness, rem
der the gloo VI more painful.
"Down this hill, and we reach it," the
groom said. And as we reigned back
our foaming horses, | experienced a
feeling of deep thankfulness, till the re-
curing thoughts of the danger yet to
come dispelled by their gloominess the
momentary calm. ..a
1t was reached at length, the peaceful
stream of two days previous now
changed into a surging torrent, and l
knew by the excessive width what a
fearful depth it must be in the centre.
A cross on the other side was the glim-
mer of lanterns, whilst at times, above
the noise of The waters, could be heard
the shout of voices. @
sHaste, haste, for Gods sake, haste"
I could at last distinguish to be their
.importunate voices.
81 will try it," Isaid, excitedly, and,
despite the entreaties of the man, |
spurred my horse into the seething
stream; on goaded him until the wa
ters reached almost up to my knees, and
the animal could hardly stand for the
rushing of the current in vain !
spurred the frightened steed would go
no further, and in despair reluctantly
turned back. Il n '
| could hear the cries Of disappoint-
ment rend the air, when at last one
stentorian voice bawled forth, "Swinl
swim across" 9ayaa
But for rae to try and swim were
madness, my knowledge of that aquatic
science was scarcely sufficient to ena-
Bile me to advance three successive
| yards, even though in the calmest wa
ters, and in the present turbulent state
to have kept afloat for even q couple o.
feet would have been for me impossible
but suddenly thought struck me, anC
at oEce gave utterance to it by shout
ng, at the top Of my voice, "a rope ! !
| ropeia
In short time one was produced, anC
1 called out, "Hold fast one end anC
throw the rest across and almost i'm
mediately the end came whistling past
"Now, help me to secure this end"
said to the groom, and presently W.
succeeded in fastening it to a tree tina
was standing near. ....
AS you value my life, firmly hold fas
your end" | shouted out, and the an
swer, " All right, y being given, pullc'
OIL my great coat and other inconvenien