The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1871-11-09

uP W ntrauHe pitcH' COue suuucn
presentiment concerning her lover filled
her mind with apprehension AS il
translating the young girls emotion,
Miss Caltran began slowly .f
"Your friend is in great danger
great danger. He is flying as if for
his life, first this way, aud then that
way" making tortuous motion with her
hand. "He is on the river-the ice
and something follows him fast. Hark,
do you hear sharp cry 7"
Rose turned deathly white in spite
Of her strongest efforts.
"ls he coming here ?" she asked,
scarcely knowing what she said
80. heavens they are gaining on
him fast. He goes like the wind, but
they are too feet"
A. Miss Caltran said this and it
must be remarked that hsf words
throughout were labored aud slow
she sighed deeply and eviuced great
agitation. Her breath was long and
painful.
"Now they are up with him-now
0hsa him save him! Hark to their
cries r.
"Oh, by heaven what fools we are r.
suddenly exclaimed George Ardley,
light breaking in upon him II see
it all. Vance has skated up the river
and been followed by pack of wolves
oue was killed a day or two ago, and
Several have been seen prowling round.
Run for your lives, friends. Get some
thing aud come to his assistance"
Rose stood spell-bound. For a mo-
ment the room swan round; stars ap.
peared to fill every space.
George thrust on his cap and coat,
and sluug his rife over his shoulder.
Two or three followed suit, and the
rooms where in whirl OF confusion.
"Let me so too" Rose almost shrek.
ed.
"My child there may be some mis-.
take" said DR.. Caltran, soothingly,
alarmed at the consequences of his sis
ter's vision. "Do pray be calm"
"No, there is no mistake" she
answered Historically. II told him to
skate up-his horse was lame | dared
him to come. Oh, merciful heavens,
forgive me T.
She was in. perfect agony of despair.
The horrible vision her cousin Georges
word conjured up made a more vivid
one 10 her brain. Her face that had
been so brilliant a short time before,
was now the picture of anguish. She
could not help thinking that had any
evil befallen him it was clearly her
fault. How many times she had tor
mented him almost beyond endurance
been cool, capricious, laughed at his
tenderness and his love. Arraigning
her heart for Judgment, she found it
had been bitterly cruel to him, to the
one man for whom she would give her
life, it occasion required In the con.
fusion and crowd she passed quietly up
stairs, got her shawl and hood, and
stole out unseen. Along she sped like
shadowy wrath, aud was on the river
as, soon as the men with their rifles.
Hark what was that? A sickening
despairing cry-a wall of mortal agony.
Rose recognized it for his voiee-for
they were close upon him now.
Yes, the cry came from Charles
Vance. With one despairing burst he
gave up hope aud turned upon his hor.
rible pursuers. Ia the moonlight his
eyes glared back to those fierce balls,
aud there was a deathly pause. The
suddenuess amazed the unreasoning
brutes, but the foremost crouched to
spring. g
A ball went whizzing by, so closely
that Mr.. Vance felt the hot air on his
choek. Then yell ensued, ending
with howl of maddening pain. Anoth.
er report, another; footsteps, voices /;
yet he did not stir.
"Oh, Charles Charles p and the
next instant Rose lay senseless at his
feet.
At first he could not think, could
not speak the utter surprise and sense
of deliverance overwhelmed him. He
kuelt down on the ice, trembling in
every limb, aud the rest came .throng-
ing around. The discounted enemy
were retiring with savage cries, leav.
ing two Of their number dead behind
them.
What is it all began Mr.. Vance.
=" IL cannot Imagine"
"Do not try" interrupted George
Ardley
at is the strangest thing that ever
happened. Can you walk home Z III
see to Rose" Aud he picked her up
as though she had been baby.
They went home slowly. Mr.. Vanoe's
strength was almost exhausted. Angry
mutterings followed them from afar; but
there was no real danger now. Rose,
with reyiving consciousness, struggled
away from her cousins protection.
LET me walk-I am quite well now"
she said, with touch Of her old imper.
iousness. And she got to Mr.. Vance
side.
"Oh, Charles ! I have been so selfish
and cruel Win you ever forgive meY"
Charles answer was to take her arm
within his and press it TO his side.
She broke down with a sob.
Hush, my darliugl God has inter
posed to save me. But still l do not
understand how or why you should all
have come"
"Oh, Charles, it is the strangest tale.
You will hardly believe it--you, who
have laughed at"
Don't spoil the story, Rose," said
George Ardley from behind. Wen
have it all out when we get home
( Was DIR. Caltrau surnrisaa uba, ba