Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1871-12-13

CHASED BY WOLVES.
Il was a race for life. Following hard up
on the fleet skater were a troop OF wolves as
feet. Charles Vance heard their breathing,
the short imprtent snui-, the regular pattcr
OF sharp feet upon the ice like o click The
scene lay in Canada. The moon sailed through
drifting clouds, now partially obscured then
bursting forth in a aool Of silyery light At
one side was the dense pine forest, broken by
clumps Of eahess oak or hickory, and wind
ing IN and out as it followed the course Of
the river on the other, the wide, snow covered
plain. A mile yet before a house would be
reached and in that time
Brave as he was, Mr.. Vance shuddered
At twenty-eight there was so much Of life be-
fore him. He had reached point whore for
tune began to smile upon him and for the
past six months his leisure hours had been
bright with glowing air-castles, which all had
Rose Ardley for their day dream. For her
sake it was that ho had undertaken this peril
Gus journey.
Faster faster This turn showed him the
fierce, cleaning eyes, that repeated themselves
until there seemed to be hundreds Rays Of
/ lurid light flashed out lolliug scarlet tongues,
that thirsted for draught of blood and a
dainty morse Of flesh. A mis.stcp, a half
hidden hilock of ice to trip the unwary ira.
yeler, moment lost, and he would be in the
power of these raycnous animals No wonder
his pulses quivered, or that he shrank from
50 horrible fate.
More than once he had gone up and down
the river for pleasure. More than once there
had been gay party-girls in their pretty
skating costumcs-but sweetest of ali was
Rose, her golden curls blown about by the
wind, her checks brilliant her purple eyes
dilating with enjoyment. Bright and coquet-
tsh was she, fond of teasing him until his
patience was almost exhausted but sweet
loving girl in the midst Of it, At midsummer
she was to be his wife He had extorted that
promise from her though he would have fair
taken her long before. And yet only the
other morning they had fallen into triHing
dispute about this very visit She wauteC
him to 90 up for this Thursday evening b,
did not see his way clear to do it conveniently
Thursday is pay y.day," he had said, alud
ing to his works and workmen. Il neve
can get away Thursday nights until dark
My horse has fallen lame, too Rose Icanno
ride him after to-day
You once thought skating up the river
mere pastime,' replied Miss Ardley, and he
tone was trihe sharp and naughty.
In the daytime, aud with company
That makes a difference
Oh, very we'll; if you care SO little t,
come, there's no more to be said And sh
turned away with an air Of superb indiffer
>, ence.
! Rose it is not that can come up Fri
! day, and stay until Monday
. But Thursday night is Eleanor's birth
4 night. thought Of the pleasure to her, I
i have you among her guests. Don'tput your
/ self out, however
Charles Vance was not man likely to b
! canonlzed for either meekness or patience
aud she was purposely trying him. He iel
, vexed.
90" III come if | can, concluded Mr.. Vanc
shortly, His tone was cold, and his eye
! wandered over the waste Of snow
Very well, she gaiy said " | shall el
pect you, mind. Good-by." And she kisse
! to him the tips of her dainty fingers.
= lie strobe down the path unhitched h
horse with a jerk, and went riding over tn
road, never once glancing back. Peryers
Rose Ardey was privately poeping after hin
rather enjoying than not the semi-quarrel.
,. "ll not 60; she shall not get me there @
e Thursday evening" he answered to hmsc
/. in his annoyance But ere Thursday cyenin
,e came his resolve was broken, after tine maj
ner of lovers, and he meant to 20.
IS 81 must skate up" he said "the night
# clear and frosty"
!. "Hope there'll be no wolves abroad, Ma
n ter Vance, said the brawny Englishma
1t Hugh, one Of his workmeu and warm aC
- mirers. "Youd better take a pistol"
I'm trust to luck and my GOOD skates,
ID answered Mr.. Vance, laughingly, rather r
, diculing the notion of "woyes.d
lie started. The night, as he observe,
II was clear aud frosty, very bright and col,
= Half his Journey had been aeeomplishe,
; when he hearda sbrill. sharp ory eohoiug fro
tho woods Then anotber as in answer an
ono at n distance Far n moment tho bloo
curdled in his veins What were these erie.
II All wbat-wbat hnt tbe wolves .
4 Nearer came Tho crv and nearer ,s If n
= =. dreadG,l an;nais sce1,oJ ,bo;r vie,;ro n
u ,'i;IoJ - .i'a H., ia Ii,,t,'i. ~"
s''aJu ~ s"e 10 e - "s S'tiu e
J !u'oNon'u " '"0 u''' .''oN no "eaiu it1 ..'
y n's Puiseo,sT1' n's', us i"Piuly as Poss'p,
IN s'relgnt l'noi Ior not second was 10