Des Arc weekly citizen., 1868-04-04
and blend together before my sight.

of utter exhaustion. Once only 1 was dimly conscious that some one had lift ed my head from the hard, gray rock, and placed beneath it thick, pillowy substance. Like things far of heard batter of rain-drops, the soft splash of the river; then blanket was gath cred, lightly and cautiously, above me, and that was all. l slept on there against the lichened stone till morning.
 When I opened my eyes there was daylight all about me, but no Captain Rayburn. A venison steak broiled over the fire, and strong odor of cof- fee filled the place. arose, very much surprised to find that had been sleep- ing. There was little path leading down to the riverside, and followed I it. 1 knelt down there on the moss and looked at my pale, pale face in the droning water, and bathed my heavy eyes and braided up my long, thick hair.
 | Overhead the sun was coming up in q cloudless sky; the river glanced away through the pines, murmurous and beautiful. Birds chirped and call ed from the rain-wet branches. Sure ly the tcrrors of the past night had not been real; surely I had dreamed some hideous dream Then turned and saw Captain Rayburn coming toward me.
 "Good-morning," he said, lifting his hat.
 "Good-morning," faltered, seized with sudden and unaccountablc em- barressment and flushing to the tenn ples.
 Miss Stacey, come to summon you to break fast. After that am entirely at your service. We will start at once for Passaquod."
 1 shall never forget that meal, eaten with him in that lonely camp by the riverside. It was not particularly sumptuous, for it consisted only of fven- I ison and coffee and Q few potatoes baked in the,ashes of the fire. Never theless, I was served like princess, sitting in state on a camp stool, and gravely receiving my share of the feast from .he handsome hands ofJohn Ray burn. As he was pouring out the cof- fee ventured to remark:
 "If you please, I do not care for but one spoonful of sugar."
 He looked ut me in mock amaze.
 "Ah, and how was the cup which gave you last night--do you remem- ber?"
 at was made swcet-quite sweet, !, said l.
 Then, of sudden, the absurd figure he made, standing so stately and tall over the ashes, with the battered tin cofiee-pot in hand, struck me with full force. l laughed aloud. His brown leyes danced.
 II am glad to hear that, Miss Stacey. You have got such pale, sad face this morning, l began to fear you would never even smile again. Do you feel quite equal to journey of fifteen miles !'
 "Yes-oh yes.
 We shall go more than half the dis tance by the river. Twill then procure a conveyance at the nearest farmhouse, also whatever outer garments you may need, and drive straight to Passaquod.
 "Captain Rayburn, you are very k,nd,' faltered "how shall 1 ever thank you?'
 Miss Stacey, pray do not mention it."
 Afier that we set forth. The sun was not fairly in the sky. Our way was q strange, bright way of ripping water Then. out ofthe green, dripping gloom l-of the wilderness, we went jogging along a pleasant country, back-back again to the unpainted kitchen at Pas saquod. My singular adventure wa; over and done.
 A few days after this Captain Ray. burn came into the porch one twilight where l was sitting with Ann Maria Peters, and laid into my hand sealed package.
 Allow me to restore to you that which was lost" said he.
 1 opened it and saw my purse and rings, my watch and chain.
 "Monsieur Rogue" continued Ray. burn, tossing his cigar into Ann Ma ria's marigold bed, "is in jail, awaiting his trial for the murder of the girl Ter, csc. Iregret to inform you, Miss Belle that your friend, Mrs. Gerty, died, and was buried at her little farm, at Sun. down, more than six months ago. The house to which you were carried is some five miles distant from hers; thu l. hag who personated her that night il | merely confederate of Roque's.' Thus was the whole affair made cleal to me. !; Papa came in great haste to take m' home. The last evening of my stay a ! Passaquod, was out on the weather beaten stoop, with the warm, moon lighted night all around. snuffing tho scent of the marigolds, andlistening tc . the katydids droning in the wet green grass. Inside the porch Ann Maria Peters stood folding clothes foi ironing, in willow basket. II By-and-by a familiar step came up I through the crooked apple trees and stopped at the stoop.
 T am going home tomorrow" said I.