Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1872-02-22
VIRGINIA, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY %, 1872

in coli blood s.. .i4ss.,ss,,t s5p
There is but little chance of tracking
him in the dsrkncss." said Ward Barton.
for he seemed chosen leader by all. eve
must separate. Let one party proceed
directly to the Gulch. and the others
search for the trail of Brent. Shoot him
down like dog. ii you cannot capture
him" yl,jDsss h esii,l tsy-..5sr ~. '"f
A wild,shoht was bis ans ver, and the
sturdy foresters moved into the forest ev-
cry eye on The alert. es' gg-.rR
Within the cabin the women we've
gathered closely together, horror depicted
upon tbs faces ofall.
Lsaning against q window, her. head
bent, her dark eyes burning, and her
brown hands clasped closely together.
stood Jessie Barton. None were near
her, for all seemed to feel that words Of
sympathy were useless 10 the first pangs
Of her grief
Suddenly without word. she turned
and finging open the door she darted
out into the night, before baud could
be raised TO stay her. Almost as swiftly
as bird, she fitted across the strip of
clearing and vanished in the forest
She heard the door open quickly, and
. call, Jessie. Jessie, where are you?
Come back!' .t
She d id not answer, but plunged still
deeper in the woods, moving after the
band Of men, towards Redstone Gulch.
"Oh, Wynne, my husbandp' she
moaned, her voice full Of agony. "Why
should he harm you for my faal.? can
not live without you. ~, f
Another instant, and quick, stealtby
step sounded close at her side, ana ere
she could turn and fee, strong arm was
thrown around her waist.
Girl, you will be sorry you came"
hoarse voice spoke in her ear. You
are in my power now. and cannot escape.
love you more madly than ever, and
you must 60 with me in my fight. l
thought l should be satisfied when MUIR
dercd the man you loved, but the joy Of
revenge was nothing. compared to the
joy of holding you in my arms. and
knowing that no power can take you from
me-"
In the darkness she could not see the
features of her captor, but far too we'll
she recognized the hoarse rufianly voice.
"Dion Brent" she cried falling on her
knees beside him, Ter voice trembling.
her face white as marble, show ing in the
darkaess Il will not ask you for mercy
for | know you have no more than the
panther. Let me look once more upon
his face, and care not to live. You
may Go with me whatever you will, if
you let me gaze once more upon the face
of my dead husband. ,..--
Her piteous tones reached the rufian' s
heart, for he was silent for moment and
then said:
You shall see him, but I canret trust
You out of my grasp. Come.
He drew her towards him and moved
on through the forest, half carrying her
trembling form. His moecasined feet
made but little noise as they fell upon the
earth, but more noislsss still, shadow,
scarcely visible in the darkness, moved
liter him. The torches of the party of
ssarchers. which moment before we're
cleaning in the darkness far in advance,
like an ignisfat1us, had died out; but
Dion Brent dd not hesitate, for he knew
the forest paths well.
Not word came from Jessie Barton 3
lips; her brain in whirl and her hearr
seemed turning to ice in her bosom.
The rufian's arm bore nearly all the
weight of her slight form, yet he pressed
on, picking his way in the darkness,
with ease and speed.
Soon the great forest trees grew less
dense. AMI the path seemed to lead up
a slight ascent. A low bum, as ofvoicea
lot far distant. came plainly to Brent's
earse, but lie did not pause, and noisless
as shadow. a tall form passed on after
him. At length he halted, as the ascent
grew more abrupt, and great rocks lay
scattered in the path, but only for mo-
ment; then turning, he moved eau tiously
in direction at riyht angles s. 18th the
one be had been pursuing.
Suddenly, from the inky blackness in
front and seeming ly fifty feet below him.
glared the light of a scerc oftorches, re-
vealing the forms ola band of men gath
cred in the rocky gulch or pass, below.
In the centre of the group, lay stretched
upon the earth, the body ola man, his
ghastly. upturned face made plainly Wis
ible by the glare of the torches.
20 Wynne; my husband !" A low,
trembling cry. full of anguish, came
from Jessie's lips. and she would have
fallen frum the cliff. had no. Brent's
strong arm upheld her.
Az this moment, shout from the
guch rang out upon the night air.
ut Is not Wynne Gaylord. but Ed
ward Wylie Dion Brent h as murdered
the wrong man.
A cry of mingled establishment and
rage came from Brent's lips, and he star
ted back wildly. As be did SO. a tall
form, that OF Wynne Gaylord himself
sprang to his side. and caushtthe girl 5
dropping form which be had unclaspsd.
Jessie, Jessie, look up, you are saw
ed w
90! Wynne, and you are not dead ~
and her arms were claspcd about his
neck. ee
"Mo.ionless as statue. Brent had
stood for N oment, till he recogn ICED
the form before b I'M. then with t..rib le
cry of hate he sprang forward. But like
. fash came terrible blow from his an
tagonist. striking him in the face. With
his hands flung in the air he rceled back
ward. tst,ered for an instant upon the
verge, and .hen fell over the cliff, crash
ing heavily down the rugged side turn
ing over and over. till he lay, man gled
1 IL l. l.. l. 1 L.