The Vermont transcript. [volume] (St. Albans, Vt.) 1864-1870, 1868-01-24

which bound him, as it were, with iron
links to the maiden. The struggle was
bitter, but the schoolmaster was al
most successful, when accidentally,
and chance meeting between the
two. the girl innocently confessed her
love for him; and then, in a blissful
moment, when his wild, banished,
lonely soul was mad with Joy, he poured
into her young heart the deep, rich
fullness Of his own love. There was q
mutual interchange of pledges, and
Edgar North stroye no more to hurl
behind him--to forget that all-power-
full passion yelling up with every
throb of the heart. But, Joseph Al
monte, the retired merchant, looked
not favorably on the aspiring school
master. His choice lay in another di-
rection, and he had, in truth. pledged
his daughter to the rich and infuen-
tial Clifton Cordway.
The day was brilliant-th the air was
exhilarating, the sun bright, and the
party dashed away from Clover Hill
with heightened spirits and ringing
laughter. Edgar North rode alone III
/ that merry cayalcade. No one indeed
seemed to know or heed his presence
among them, Yet the happy liquid eye
of Dora Almonte, often furtively
glanced at that quiet manly figure,
that erect carriage, that mastery hand,
which, with grip Of iron, controlled
the prancing steed. The hills were
gained-a merry day passed away
Clifton Cordway lowered almost con
tirualiy by the side of the rich heiress.
But, for one short hour Of that gay
and riotous day, Edward North had
wandered over the hills and through
the golden-dyed autumnal forests,
with the fair one he loved so well by
his side. But as the day wore on, the
wind suddenly yeered around. and IN
a short time a heavy bank of cloud
doomed up angiily from tie south west.
To horse, and away. was now the
word, for the village of Arden lay ten
miles distant, and a storm II the hills
was dangerous.
Spare net the spur, gentlemen,
said Mr. Almonte. anxiously, as he
scanned the threatening aspect of the
heavens, we must pass Swift Run
before the storm bursts upon us, or
well suffer for it-ride gentlemen,
ride :" and he took the lead. There
was q pallor about Dora's face, pal
I lor she could not drive back, for she
dreaded these storms in the hills. BY
her side rode Clifton Cordway, his
hand on her bride rein, his face, too.
oyershadowed. Enthusiastically with
SHADE of fear The rest of the party
clattered after, and, as before, the
humble schoolmaster. quiet and m
changing, galloped along behind. But
his face was anxious, too, as his eye
took in the rapidly approaching cloud,
and his ear detected III the distance,
the FAINT erowlings of the storm, like
the sad signing of the mighty forest.
Ride, gentlemen ride, Miss Do
raj" he suddenly spoke, clearly but
calmly, "ride for your lives :" The
party strained their steeds to The ut
most capacity. On they dashed TIE
sturdy steed of Edgar North was now
proving his metal, for in few mo-
ments he had closed with the flying
party, and hung just behind the pant
ing mare of Dora Almonte At that
moment terrible gust rushed through
the defle--a huge drop spattered
down, and then terrible peal of
thunder crashed over their heads. In
moment an elementary war was bat
ting fiercely around them.
Fly! fly for your lives give them
the spur !" shouted the loud voice of
the schoolmaster. and in a moment he
was alongside of Dora Almonte In
moment more the stream they desired
Sc much to pass, burst on their view
cry of horror burst from their lips
as they saw the change. From a qui
ct, unpretending stream, it was now
spreading, roaring, maddened torrent
it had already reached far out into
/ the detile.
Turn and flee to the hills. :" cried
! Edgar North, who, it seemed, had now
taken command of the party; but his
words were too late-Doras mare,
terrified at tine roaring of the torrent
and at the mad war of the dement's,
obeyed not the bit, but sped on like
an arrow. A wild cry of horror went
up from the party, as they saw the
mare, with one tremendous leap, clear
the bluf' and plunge into the torrent.
"On Clifton Cordway on, to the
rescue - shouted the schoolmaster,
turning his noble steed againg tow
arda the roaring stream. But Clifton
Cordway held back his eyes were
starting from his head in very terror.
"Go yourself, Edgar North, he
muttered; "you are responsible for
this, and at proper time. | shall
Liar coward sounded! no
more words !" and, raising his clench-
ed hand, lie smote the bully across the
face. Then with loud cry of eneour-
acement to his hardy horse, the school
master dashed forward-took the fear
FIJI leap, and disappeared in the foam
ing flood But that gallant steed was
ND to the work. He arose quickly
and struck out. The mare with its
fair burden, was struggling wildly III
in the water.
"Give her the rein, Dora give her
the rein, for Gods sake !" HIS warn
/. inc came to late. As the girl heard
IL