The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1871-03-07

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sionary in disguisc,he couldn't know ther
better.
A handsome person and polished mar
ners, set off by engaging conversations
powers-advantagcs which Mr.. Hasting
was by no means backward in displayin
soon made him general iavorite wit
the forest fair. Your tastes, after al
my young boardiug-school friend, arc no
very different from those Of your back
woods sister. A nice young man will b
admired and perhaps as readily in
backwoods cabin as in Fifth Avcnu
mansion.
1t was not till his fame had alread
been considerably noised about, that Bill
Elkins found an opportunity of introduc
ing his friend to "the BELLE" The ac
quaintance seemed mutually agreeable
and was afterwards followed up with
persistency on the part of the gentleman
that made George Westbrook, all thing
considered, feel good deal more like
man than brother.
Love may come by degrees, but its dis
covery is apt to be sudden. 1t was no
till he saw its object the placid recpien
of another's attentions, that George haC
the slightest suspicion of the state of hi.
own heart. And then it was hot sus
picion /; it was certainly revealed as if by
fash.
Had he sought the first opportunity tc
make known his discovery to the person
Immediately concerned, ten to one il
would have led to an equally sudden dis
covery to her. But he had not sufficient
tact or sufficient experience for that, and
was withal, too proud. He saw another,
as he supposed, preferred to himself and
felt irrtatcd besides, as he reflected how
unfavorably his own awkward and discon.
certed manner must have compared with
the self.possession and graceful ease Of
the city fop, the first and only time they
met in Nellie's presence. Young Has.
tings had then been more than usually
brilliant.-He had talked nothing, it is
true, but he had talked that well SO we'll
that George was half convinced that
that was whore his strength lay, anu once
UT twice had sought to turn the CONVEX
sation in different channel; Whether
his efforts had been spoiled by superior
cleverness or cool impudence, was a
question he found himself much perplex.
ed to decide. He more than suspected
he had been ridiculed to his face, and
before hers. No wonder that the next
meeting Of George and Nellie ended in a
bitter quarrel, and a parting without ex.
PLANTATION.
The hunting excursion on which Bill
Elkins had promised to take his new ac-
quaintanca, was, by Bills advice deferred.
He had lately seen signs of Indians in
the forests, and, thoug gh he felt confidence
in his own and his friends powers in any
thing like fair fight, still such rascals
fight fair and ifanything should happen,
it would certainly break somebody
heart, which would be very sad to think
OF. The hunt was indefinitely postponed,
and Mr.. Hastings became more particular
than ever in his attentions to Nellie.
One night the young people of the set.
tlement had assembled on one of tlvse 90
ting together. Nellie Benson fGi and Clar-
ence Hastings, as usual, were inseparable
and in more than one whispering group
the question was discussed, when it was
to be. Among so many disappointed
aspirants, the strangers success might
have proved dangerous triumph, but
each consoled his own chagrin by the sat
isfaction he felt at that of his neighbor
Mrs. Benson's house was more than
two miles distant, and the honor Of cs-
corting Nellie home was conceded to
Mr.. Hastings. The path lay through
the densest part Of the forest, but the
moon shone brightly, and lovers dreams
are not of danger.
AS her attendant grew more than usual.
ly poetical, Nellie began to find him just
little tiresome, and caught herself won
dering whether, after all, the sterling
good sense of George Westbrook wasn't
more desirable accomplishment thar
the ability to talk nonsense in strict &C
cordance with the rules of fgrammar.
Whatever might have been the result
Of her reflections, she was startled from
them by horrible yell and at the same
instant, hideous savage, frightfully
painted and brandshing his temahawk
sprang into the open moonlight a few fee
in advance.
Nellie convulsively clung to the arm o
her companion, who stood for momen
petrified with fright, and then tearin,
himself away, and leaving the defence
less girl to her fate, fed for life whicl
soon carried him out of the reach 0
peril.
AS the savage stood over the form @
the swooning girl, he was sprung upo
with bound as sudden as his own; an
with the other snatched the tomahaw
from his grasp and raised it to strike.
Before the blow had time to fall, tn
young mans arm was arrested by an eS
clamation, in familiar voice
Hang it, George, be careful don
you see it's me-"
"What Bill Elkins ?"
Don't you see it =? Let me 60 ~
"But what is the meaning of this ?
Your folly has killed her, and if it has
"If it has you may finish up the jo
: you were in such hurry to begin ju
now. | only wanted to show Nellie whi
a cowardly sneak that Hastings chap
and maybe took wrong way Of doing i
But see, she's coming to. Good nigh
and keep sharp look out for Indians
Bill was off.
Hastings never stopped till he reache
' the house from which he had starte
1 He was in the midst ofa thrilling narr
tive of blood-thirsty savages by whom Nc
A lie Benson had been carried off and himse
overpowered, though he had finally su
ceeded in cutting his way through ho
f enemies, when Bill Elkins, in full pai
q and feathers, stalked in, and as they S,
o in Hamlet, stopped and unfolded himsel
Mr. Hastings didn't stay all night
, that settlement. Nor did be ever con
|, back to take his prised hunt with Bill