Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1870-08-30
more than Mary was, whose senses were

luorc tndn mary WAS WHOSc senbcb Wcrt
returning.
"This is not my fathers cottage she
murmured, glancing around atthe gloomy
cavern and the rushing river. How
came l here? Am in a dream?" she
continued vaguely.
You must have been borne down
yon vortex by the whirlpool" answered
the woman. The boat has overshot
the water, and you are now safe.
Oh, kind, preserving ProvidenceP
exclaimed Mary fervently. " But still
l do not understand. If l am not in a
dream let us to my father; he will ex-
plain all. You will show me forth?
would serve you with pleasure"
answered the woman, but am myself a
captive. A plank bridge is the only way
across, and that is upon the other side.
The men pull it over there when they
CO."
Is there no other way?"
81 know Of none-save one" replied
the woman, and smiled.
Which is it?' asked Mary, eagerly.
The woman pointed to the craggy
cliff fe
Yonder wild staircase of slippery
rocks" she said. "Tve heard it said that
once noble knight did from this cavern
bear captive lady up that ascent, to
save her from the demon of the Holle-
but that's an idle romance"
True, for such deed seems impossi-
BILE" answered Mary, shuddering as she
gazed up the steep ascent Those
steps are not for mortal feet; deaf must
be the ear to the waters roar, aad dim
the eye that looks down On the abyss.
My brain is giddy at the thought, and
with the whirlpool turns"
A dreamy languor came stealing over
the blue eyes again. -a
II cannot but imagine some spirit
guided me to this abyss" she murmured.
:" For in my dream, and dream it was, it
seemed to me as though blue fame
danced gracefully before, such as have
seen playing on the morass; itresembled
those of deeper blue, like wreath of
violets braided in the sun, and from its
beams peeped forth the features of my
dear dead mother, inviting me to
All, there it is again.
"WhereY' asked the woman in awe.
At the entrance to the cave now, ad-
vancingi don't you see it2'
NO. a.f
1T is for me alone, thenl Yes; and
the cold sleep comes over me again.
Her eyes became set, and the trance
seized again upon her senses. I'm
coming mother-Tm comingp'
The woman thought her mind wan
dered.
Hal" continued Mary, abstractedly;
Frank Chockley alivel Oh, stay, moth
er, I'm coming now!"
And she began the dangerous ascent
of the cliff before the woman could pre-
vent her. Upward she ghded-a frag-
ment Of rock crumbled beneath her feet;
and dashed into the water-but she had
stepped lightly upon another, which sus-
tanned her firmly; and So step by step,
like pale phantom, she passed away
from the awe-stricken gaze of the woman
in the cave.
The mourners in the cottage were sur
prised when Mary crossed the threshold,
passed through the room, and entered
her own chamber. The doctor, who still
remained, having found Mr. Glaston-
bury's spirits very much to his taste,
cautioned them not to speak to her, or
attempt to wake her
In few moments they stole gently
into her chamber, and found her upon
the bed in tranquil slumber They
knelt beside her in silent but earnest
thanksgiving.
In the morning Mary had but faint
recollection of the events of the night;
but she remembered enough about the
poacher's cave to point out the way to it,
and enable the Squire to apprehend
these rogues.
Mary married Frank in due season,
and was never known to walk in her
sleep again. The "Dream-Girl of the
Devil-Holle" and her exploit were
chronicled in one of the ballads of the
dow