St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1868-03-13

'''''AN> 'O'N ~ f'N'ty i'ttl bStl a. IL ~ VII
the E--road ~
smiled Il forced smile: but | could
have cheerful knocked the coarse lester
down, and | watched his retreaiing foot
steps with Il feeling of hearty gratitica-
ton. | had never liked or trusted that
man ; and the very idea of his preSum-
ing TO take Barbara Wyckltfe's name in
his mouth was indcscrlbably revolving to
me.
The next day was one of those brilli-
ant bits of sunshine that occasionally di-
versity the early weeks of our Northern
spring, urdunt cOU,1erS of soft eyed April
and blooming May The air was blue
rs liquid sapphire; the folded lcaf-buds
seemed vlslblv to stir and swell, and here
and there, IL sunny, sheltered nooks, the
velvet grass glowed greenly beneath dead,
ruStling leaves. | had been down in the
woods trimming and piling up the logs
hl'l cut the day before, and on returning
up the narrow Glen path | saw the light
iiuttcr OF a scarlet shaw across the win
dow of my little dwelling. from the in
side.
More company" | thought, with Il
quick, elastic bound at my heart; for |
knew there was but one woman for miles
around who would be likely to visit me,
and then besides, barbara Wycklitfe'
sweet eyes We're like lode-stars TO me. and
felt it must be her. | sprang up the
slope with movement as light as my
heart. and entered at the wide open
door.
Barbara, said, holding cut both
hands this is an unexpected pleasure. $
She had been crimson when my foot
step first sounded upon the threshold
now she turned deadly pale, with a white
Ness that startled me.
"Oh, it is You, Rcuben-Mr. Eyre
I'm 20 glad you have come. II wa
looNing Tor our stray Guinea fowls in the
woods above, and | was very tired. and
thought would stop in a minute anc
rest.
And YOU are us welcome lis flower,
in May, barbara but You know you
are
For she had smiled up in my face witt
an arch. halt doubtful look. There wa,
no question of absent color now: hel
cheeks glowcd like the velvet petals OF {:
''Giant OF Battles" rose. | suppose IT,,
poet, would say but thought OF til,
red clare ui the locomotives headlight
which was alway- beautiful TO me
And did YOU find the runaways -
NO. | think they must be clown ii
the maple swamp. shall look there tol
them tomorrow, But, Mr.. Eyre.
wanted 10 say br>idr,-." She hc,ItaIcd
and hung down her head.
well, barbara, what - | asked.
Il don't know" she said, convulaivclv
Il don't know what. But came to
warn you-
Again the deadly pailor came over he
face. There was Il strange, startled loOi
i'll her brown eyes.
Warn me, Barbara OF what -
.'Ot him-ot that man-.John W alk
cr -
had felt when she said, she had com
to warn me that ii was OF that man. Sh
WAS surprised that | was not startled, am
asked me, hurricdly:
'.What was he doing here, to-day
Reuben!
did look at her in astoni,hmrmt TIN
time.
''Ilas he been here to-day. Barbara
You are thinking OF Yesterday evening .
suggested.
"No, am not" she answered, impet
uously. Il am not thinking of yc>teI
day. / mean to-day not AN hou
ago.'
Nv hat makes you think he was her,
Barbara !''
because | saw him because l fol
lowed him. | knew he was bent o
mischief, and against you"
| shook my head doubtiully.
Are you quite sure you are not hi,
taken? For il he had been here, woul
he not have staid to see me When Iii
YOU see him, and where ,"
Il tell you ii was but Il little Will
ago. lie means you mischief, Reubel
be sure Of that. | saw him put Il lar
knife i'll his breast as hc lett the hous'
and | followed him-tollowcd him unit
saw him reach the door, and stood sti
for minute or two as if he was lister
: ing
''perhaps he Was listening to hear if
was ut home.
Il was sure of it. and started on a ru
TO the house to warn you but | was :
a9itatcd | could not move fast. sa'
him enter, and tried 10 scream, but coul
not. | felt he would do an injury wit
that knife ~
| well 80
l "Well, he went in and closed the do,
: behind him, but he did not remain thel
! more than two minutes; for as | ran
saw him come out again and strike rigl
into the woods to the left
That is the short cut to the railroa
switch. Perhaps he expected TO find IL
there
: perhaps he did," said Bari ara.
} "Or possibly-the ''green eyed mol
Ster was reaSscrtlng his presence one
more-possibIy he knew you were GU
: and hoped to meet you somewhere in Il
l vicinity | said.
Barbara's long lashes dropped for
: moment then there was flash in h
eyes and then she answered carelessl
l with just perceptible sneer.
at is possible that he did. tho wi
he should arm himself to meet me is b
yond my comprehension. AT all even
: he went the wrong way. Good atte
noon"
surely, you are not going yet ~
II must, thank you. Father will ce
c talnly think l am lost if / do not hur