Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1871-10-11

brilliant short time before, was now the
picture Of anguish. She could not helT
thinking that if any evil had bclallen him
it was clearly her fault. How many times
she had tormentcd him almost beyond en-
duronce; been cool, capricious, laughed at
his tenderness and his love- Arraigiing
her heart for judgment, she found it had
been bitterly cruel to him, to the one man
for whom she would give her life, if occa-
sion required, In the confusion and crowd
she passed quietly up stairs, got her shawl
and hood, and stole out unseen. Along
she sped like n shadowy wrath, and was
on the river as soon as the men with their
rifles
Hank what was that? A sickening,
despairing cry--a wall of mortal agony.
Rose recognized it for his voice-for they
were close upon him now.
Yes, the cry came from Charles Vance.
With that one despoirng burst he gave up
hope and turned upon his horrible pursu-
ers. In the moonlight his eyes glared
back to those fierce balls, and there was a
deothly pause, The suddenness amazed
the mreasoning brutcs, but the foremost
crouched to spring
A ball went whizzing BY, so closely that
Mr.. Vance felt the hot air upon his cheek.
Then yell ensued, ending in howl OF
maddcning pain. Another report, anoth-
er; footsteps, voices yet he did not stir.
son, Charles Charles p and the next
instant Rose lay sensclcss at his feet.
At first he could not think, could not
speak; the utter surprise and sense of de-
lvcrmcc overwhelmed him. lie kneIt
down on the ice, trembling in every limb,
and the rest came thronging around. The
discounted enemy were retiring with say
age cries, leaving two of their number dead
behind them.
"What is it all ?" began Mr.. Vance. 81
II cannot imagine
500 not try" interrupted George Ard
ley. at is the strangcst thing that ever
happened, Can you walk home2 T'lI see
to Rose" And he picked hcrup as though
she had been baby.
They went home slowly: Mr.. Vancc's
strength was all but exhausted. Angry
muttcrings followed them from afar; but
there was no real danger now. Rose, revi-
wing to consciousness struggled away from
her cousins protection.
"Lot me walk am quite well now"
she said, with touch Of hcrold imperious-
ness. And she got to Mr.. Vance's side.
"Oh,' Charles have been so selfish
and cruel Will you ever forgive me %
Charles answer was to take her arm
within his and press it to his side. She
broke down with n sob
"Ilush, my darling God has interposcd
to save me. But still do not understand
how or why you should all have come"
"Oh, Charles, it is the strangcst tale.
You will hardly believe it-you, who have
laughed att
"Don't spoil the story, Rose" said
George Ardlcy from behind. "We'll have
it all out when we get home"
Was DIR. Caltran surprised when he
heard of the strange escape and saw the
rescued man? He made no sign Miss
Caltran, the clairvoyantc, was herself then,
save for an intense, dull headache.
"Thcy had gained on me so fast that it
seems as if I could not have held out
minute longer" said Mr.. Vance to the doc
tor, "Bcside the short distance on the
river, there was the dark walk up TO the
house, and my courage was utterly giving
way"
Rose burst into tears. "CharleS, as
long as live will never be capricious
agar" she whispered; 'no, not even when
! am your wife; will try to be blessing
to You instead Of trouble"
And he kissed the sweet lips for their
fond confession
SO it all ended well. But the wonder
lul escape OF Charles Vance from the peril
of the wolves is talked of in Canada to
this day.