Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1870-08-11

and rushed down stairs. The chamber
in which Alice slept was full of the scent
of chloroform, the window was open, and
a long glass door leading directly into the
garden. There was chloroform, among
the roses. Alice was not there !
If an oath ever escaped my lips it did
then. Never thinking to alarm the
house, [ rushed into the stable, expecting
to find the hostler awake. But no; the
man was sleeping soundly in his loft
Sutton's horse had not been stabbed that
highland only my violent beleaguer-
ment brought him down. Bridling the
feetest and iercest horse in the stable, l
sprang bareback upon him, and tore out
upon the trail.
The long road leading over the hill
stretched white and empty before me, but
by that way he must have gone. My
noble black flew after snorting, and strik-
ing fire from the stones.
The birds were twittering all along the
way. | noticed that, and knew I could
not be far behind. Suddenly I heard the
click of carriage wheel. The next
moment I pulled up, Cor the road diverg-
ed one path lay over steep hill, the
other entered the woods.
| was close upon him, I was sure of
that !; but I could not decide whether he
had gone over the hill or entered the
woods, which looked dark and murderous
enough. If I made mistake he would
escape me. just then I heard cry-a
woman's piercing shrek. My heart
leaped up plunged into the woods
That was his way.
1t was narrow and difficult, and knew
he had taken it in hopes TO escape me.
He must have heard the thunder of my
horses hoofs behind him in the road
We bounded under the boughs. Soon l
saw the carriage ahead.
1t rolled rapidly along, yet swayed
heavily on its springs, as if badly driven.
l shouted Stop
The next moment pistol shot whizzed
by me. could make out the figure of
Sutton standing in the carriage for a
moment. The next instant it was ;gene.
In rny reckless speed the bough of a tree
struck me in the face !; but needed moth
ing until was beside the pheton. SUIT
ton was not within Il but my darling, all
wild and white stretched out her hands
to me. My horse in spite of his speed
was manageable, I galloped close to their
heads, and contrived to stop the flying
bays.
Where is Sutton 2 I asked.
HE fell or sprang out; do not know
which. Oh, Lewis save me from him p
You have nothing to fear now,' an
swered. My darling be brave p
Though momentarily expecting a ball
through my head fastened my horse to
the back of the carriage, got in, and
turned the heads of the horses. They
were white with foam, but obeyed the rein
without much excitement. I wrapped
Alice more carefully in cloak, and guild
ed them swiftly towards home.
Suddenly the bays swerved and seemed
to leap over some object in the road, and
instantly the carriage passed over some
obstruction. Alice's wild eyes flashed
their terror into mine sickening
thought passed over me- Refining in the
horse leaped out Of the vehicle, and
retraced my way for a few steps. Some
thing dark lay among the decayed leaves.
1t was the corpse of dead mantle
body of Walter Sutton.
He had been flung from the carriage.
1t is not probable that he attempted to
escape, for he was heavily armed, and
would have far sooner taken my life than
have been defeated.
He had probably driven over stump
Or log, had been thrown to the ground
and | had ridden over him twice There
was hoof mark on his forehead, aud the
wheels Of the ph@ton had passed directly
over his breast. But that fine seornful smile
was on his lips, as / gazed at the dead
face in the moonlight, as if, even in
death, he cherished his revenge, and
was yet confident of comprising it. But
the abduction which he had dared he had
been defeated in and happy in our mar
riagc, Alice and I had no fear of the
dead.