The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1871-11-09
Seleet STORY.
CHASED BY WOLVES.

1t was race for life. Following
hard upon the feet skater were troop
Of wolves as feet. Charles Vance heard
their breathing, the short, impatient
snufis, the regular pattcr of sharp feet
upon the ice like click. The scene
IN Canada. The moon sailed through
drifting clouds, now partially obscured,
then bursting forth in food of silvery
light. AT one side was the dense pine
forest, broken by clumps Of leaflles oak
or hickory, and winding 10 and out as
1t followed the course Of the river; on
the other, the wide, snow covered plain
A mile yet before house would be
reached, and in that time
Brave as he was, Mr. Vance shud
dered. At twenty eight there was SO
much Of life before him. lie reached
point where fortune began to smile
upon him; aud for the past six months
his leisure hours had been bright and
glowing air castles, which all had Rose
Ardley for their day dream. For her
sake it was that he had undertaken this
perilous journey.
Faster faster This turn showed
him the fierce cleaning eyes that re
peated themselves until there appeared
to be hundreds. Rays Of lurid light
flashed out; lolliug scarlet tongues.
that thirsted for adraught OF blood, and
dainty morsel of flesh. A mis- step
a half hidden hillock of ice to trip the
unwary traveller, moment lost, aud
he would be in the power of the raven
Gus animals. No wonder his pulses
quivercd, or that he shrank from so
horrible fate.
More than once he had gone up and down
the river for pleasure. More than oncs
there had been gay party girls iu
their pretty skating costumes but
sweetest of all was Rose, her golden
curls blown about by the wind, her
cheeks brilliant, her purple eyes dilat
ing with enjoyment. Bright and co.
quettlsh was she, fond of teasing him
until his patience was almost exhausted;
but sweet, loving girl in the midst Of
1t. AT midsummer she was to be his
wife. He had extorted that promise
from her, though he would fain have
taken her long before. And yet, only
the other morning they had fallen iuto
q triaing dispute about this very visit
She wanted him to 60 up for this Thurs
day evening; he did not see his way
clear to do 1t conveniently.
:, Thursday is pay day" he had said,
alluding co his work aud workmeu. al
never can get away on Thursday nights
until dark. My horse has fallen lame,
too, Rose, cannot ride him after to-
day."
You once thought skating up the
river mere pastime," replied Miss
Ardley; aud her tone was trifie sharp
and naughty.
:" ln the day time, aud with company.
That makes difference"
"Oh, very well; if you care so little
to come, there's no more to be said"
And she turned away with an air of
superb Indifference.
Rose, it is not that. can come
up Friday, and stay until Monday"
But Thursday night is Eleanor's s
blrthnight. | thought of the pleasure
to her, to have you among her guests.
Don't put yourself out, however
Charles Vance was not man likely
to be canonized for either meekness or
patience aud she was purposely trying
him He felt vexed.
I'm come if can," concluded Mr..
Vance shortly. His tone was cold, aud
his eyes wandered over the waste snow
Very WE'LL" she gaily said. "I
shall expect you, mind Goodbye" 4"
And she kissed to him the tips of her
dainty fingers.
he strode down the path, unhitehed
his horse with jerk, aud went riding
overthe road, never once glaucing back.
Perverse Rose Ardley was privately
peeplug after him, rather enjoying than
not the semi quarrel
"Pll not go; she shall uot get me
there on Thursday evening"" he answer
ed to himself in his annoyance But
ere Thursday evening came his resolve
was broken, after the manner Of lovers,
aud he meant to go.
~ must skate up" he said, "the
nights clear and frosty"
Hope there'll be 40 wolves abroad.
Master Vance said the brawny Eng
lighman, Hugh, one of his work men
aud warm admirers, the other morning
You'd better take pistol.
IN trust to luck aud my good
skates" answered Mr.. Vance, laugh.
ingly, rather .ridiculing the notion OF
wolves.
He started. The night, as he oh
served, was clear aud frosty very bright
and cold. Half his journey had been
accomplished, when he heard shrill,
sharp cry echoing from the woods