Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-12-23

CHASED BY WOLVES.
TcoSrINuEp FROM rEsrEapAr.1

| In lmaglnatlOn thelr req tongues seemed
to touch him. One of them seemed to
hurt himself in some way. for there came
a sharp howl of pain. The pursui twas
stopped for an instant, and then they came
on faster. Charles Vance's limbs were
weak, his pulse throbbing from exhaus-
tion, his very brain reeled. The fiery
rid glare, and now he could hear the rap
a despairing cry broke from his lips.
Rose, Rose! Farewell to her, to happi.
ness, to all.
Rose Ardley, the center of gay group
of cousins and friends, was this same
evening doing her utmost to be attractive.
She was fascinating at all times and sea-
sons; but when she used little effort,
could make herself doubly so. She had
forgiven Charles Vance dozen times
since that last angry morning. He would
be sure to come early, she complacently
told her self, and be duly penitent. After
| all, Charles was brave, noble fellow.
She thought she would not firt one bit
| that night with anybody else. The guests
all arrived All but Mr.. Vance. Rose
wondered. Had he been really vexed.
and was he staying away to punish her ?
Well, let him stay. She should not NOPE
! or wear the willow. Lovelorn girls were
| all absurd
So Rose Ardley was the gayest of the
gay. They had quadrille; some of the
older ones sat down to games. DR.. CAL
tran, a deeply scientific man and great
mesmerist, and three or four others; went
into discussion on that wonderful SUBJ
jeot-clairvoyance. The doctor had been
relating certain remarkable incidents,
when it was proposed that test should
be given them. Who would become
subjectP
No one appeared inclined at first, but
Miss Caltran finally acquiesced, and took
her seat in a chair in a small room they
| adjourned to. The doctor had succeeded
in sending her to sleep when Rose looked
in. Her attention was Immediately ar
rested, and she watched the experiment
| with much eagerness.
"Would any one like to put any ques-
| tions ?" asked Doctor Caltran.
There ensued silence. Eleanor Ardley
broke it.
''Rose will. Rose is always ready for
anything" And Rose acquiesced at once.
II don't know what to ask or what l
would most like to hear" she said, with
gay laugh.
"Ask about Charley. Ask what keeps
him away. You can tease him well when
you know that"
"But-is there really any truth in 1t, DR..
Caltran ?n and Roses eyes were luminous
with some feeling akin to curiosity.
"It is true that the medium can in many
cases seem to enter persons mind and
| answer in a remarkable fashion, was the
reply "Many failures are recorded and
mistakes made, but ] think they are due
to our imperfect knowledge of the science
Suppose you try, Miss Rose; no one can
suspect you of collision"
Quite circle began to hover round.
Miss Caltran appeared to be in a tranquil
slumber; her lips were just parted, sug-
gesting her white, even teeth, which were
very handsome.
"Wellp" said Rose, daringly.
"Place your hand in hers" directed the
director. Now think intently of the sub
ject in which you wish her to feel interest
ed. and then ask your question"
A thousand thoughts filled Rose Ardley's
brain in an instant, but that of Charles
Vance was the most prominent. What
should she say? for delicacy seemed to
hold her back on this subject.
MAKE haste" cried Eleanor. "What is
Charley Vance doing? Has he gone to
sleep and forgotten TO come here? Or has
he gone visiting elsewhere ?"
| Rose colored. II think will not ask"
but chorus of eager voices interrupted
her:
Fair play, now, Rose. No backing
| out"
"Are you afraid p
| 1t was her cousin who asked this, and
the sarcastic tone would have reused Ruth
to any effort. In a strange fiutter of nerve
and brain she began.
Don't get excited" said Dr.. Caltrsn.
smiling cheeringly.
| Roses mood was too uncertain at first
to sway Miss Caltran Cat least so said the
doctor); she moved uneasiIy and vainly
essayed to speak. He approached to tran
Quilize her. 1t was some time before any
coherent answers could be obtained. and
then Ruth was wrought up to a strange
pitch. Some sudden presentiment con-
cerning her lover filled her mind with ap !,
prehension As if translating the young
girls emotion. Miss Caltran began slowly:
"Your friend is in great danger-great
danger. He is flying as if for his life, first
this way and then that making tortu-
Gus motion with her hand. "He is on the
river-the ice-and something follows him
| fast. Hark, 90 you near sharp cry 7"
Rose turned deadly white in spite of her
strongest efforts.
"Is he coming here?" she asked, scarce
ly knowing what she said.
"Oh. they are gaining on him fast. He
goes like the wind, but they are too feet
AS Miss Caltran said this--and it must
be remarked that her words throughout
were labored and slow-she sighed deep
lx. nt,I
breath was long and painful.
"Now they are up with him-now! Oh.
save him save him Hark to their cries. +"
"Oh, what fools we are. suddenly ex-
claimed George Ardley, light breaking
on him. IL see it all. Vance has skated
up on the ice and been followed by pack
of wolves. One was killed day or two
ago, and several have been seen prowling
around. Run for your lives, friends. Get
something and come to his assistance"
Rose stood spell-bound For moment