The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1872-08-23
MI. i S e e IIaIle us
IN REDSTONE GULCH.

1t was Jessie Barton's wedding night
The sunny October day had drawn to a
close, and evening had gathered around the
cabin in the edge of the forest. A broad
stream Of light from every window poured
out into the darkness, from hundred fam
ing candles, which shone over the merry
company within. Roughtaced, yet genial
hearted frontier-men were there, clad in
hunting suits Of tanned deer-skin; kind,
matronly-looking women, yet in the vigor
Gus prime oflife; and young men with TALL
muscular forms, yet quiet and modest in
the presence of women.
All was gaiety, for all had come from far
and near to this, the wedding of the beau
ty of the settlement. There was not one
among the young men present, who would
not have periled his life for one tender
glance from Jessie Barton's eyes, or kiss
upon her ripe, red lips; and though it
made many heart throb quicker to think
that she was soon to be wife, all felt Joy
in her happiness.
She stood this night, near window, the
centre Of group Of laughing chatterlng
girls, bright and beautiful as some brilliant
plumed songstcr Of the tropics. Her Figure
was slight. yet perfect in symmetry, and her
features, though not regular, were piquant
and bewitching. She had dark, shining
hair, slightly waving, as though half in
clined to form in jetty ringlets low wo-
manly forehead, and cheeks tinted with
the roses bloom; soft, Gark-brown eyes,
wells of liquid light. Swallowed by long,
dropping lashes; and pouting coral lips,
disclosing, when she smiled, two rows of
even, pearly teeth.
There was look of anxious, eager ex-
pectancy in her eyes, for there was one yet
absent, whose coming was awaited by all
her promised husband, Wynne Gaylord.
Suddenly the cabin was thrown wide
open and mans figure appeared in the
doorway. The stranger was clad in hun
ter costume, but his face was partially con-
cealed by a slouchcd hat, which was drawn
over his brows. He held in one hand a
rifle, and the ornamented hlt of q bowie
was visible above his belt. He st, cd for a
moment like statue, his lurid eyes glar-
ing out from beneath the slouched hat
sweeping the faces of the company till they
fell upon her who was soon to be a bride
Then with an air of bravado, he lifted his
hat, revealing a countenance with ruff
apism apparent upon every feature.
You are all ready for the wedding, and
wait only for the bridegroom" he cried
his voice ringing through the room in the
stiffness" 'But We will wait long time
He lays in Redstone Gulch, a bullet in his
heart. shot him dead an hour ago, as he
came through the Gulch from the settle
ment. You know why, Jessie Barton, fol
l swore to you would murder him, be
fore he should become your husband. You
can see how have kept my OATH"
He turned and vanished in the darkness
sending back derisive laugh
For moment, all within the cabin were
motionless and silent, as ifpetrfled will
establishment and horror, and then u wild
confused cry rose upon the air
f CATER him, all He must not escape y
In an instant every man was rushing to
| wards the door, many taking down thei
rifles from their brackets on the cabin walls
"We must have torches. Let each MAJ
take q fagot from the fire ~
, The command was instantly obeyed, ant
soon the flaring light of twenty torches fel
over and around little band of men, gath
cred just before the cabin door, look upol
every face that told of the passion aroused
in their breasts by the terrible words still
ringing IN tnelr ears. Ii All iiatl loVet' 'cs
sic Barton, none had been so black heart
ed as to wish harm to come to the one sh
favored, and all were eager to be upon TIL
track of the treacherous villain who hat
shot down his rival in cold blood.
. "There is but little chance of trackin!
him in the darkness" said Ward Barton
for he seemed chosen leader by all. "W
must separate. Let one party proceed di
rectly to the Gulch, and the other scarc
for the trail of Brent. Shoot him dow
like dog if you can not capture him."
A wild shout was his answer, and tn
i sturdy foresters moved into the forest, ever
eye on the alert.