Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1872-08-07
The Dark Face.

the rings that encircled them sparkled like
dewdrops in the morning sunshine. we've
got splendid day for our journey, haven't
wei"
Clara Champfort, Mrs. Hyde Chester's
" companion" was sitting by the window,
thoughtlully watching the yellow sunshine
creep across the pavement. She was tai, ,
pale girl with heavy black hair, deep hazel
eyes, and complexion colorless as the outlines
OF Greek statue-a girl full Of odd, Pc
culiar character, concerning whom the servants
talked mysterously, and whom the old Scotch
housekeeper hesitated not to pronounce un-
canny." But Mrs. Hyde Chester liked her,
aud Mrs. Chester's will was law in her
household
g wish you would not go to-day. Mrs.
Chester, said Miss Champfort, abruptly.
" Not 60 to-day Why, child, what do
you mean ?"
81 had dream last uight-oh, such
troubled dream, with blood in it, and the shine
Of daggers, and a mans face, dark and square,
with overhanging brows and a cast in one
eye And the darkness seemed closing, clos
ing around you and me, and, somehow. the
diamonds were sparkling through it ALL"
But, my dear, what nonsense all this is,"
said Mrs. Chester, laughing. Because you
had dream last night is no reason we should
postpone our journey"
II is a reason, Mrs Chester"
Now Clara" laughed the pretty, good.
humored lady, "you are getting too absurd
for anything"
"Mis. Chester, | never dreamed such a
dream as that but once before, and then -" !
Then what happened ?"
Clara Champfort's voice fell to a whisper.
1T was the night before my father was
summoned out to visit a sick patient. The
night was dark and stormy. The horse,
missing his road, went too near the edge Of
the old stone quarry in Wanstone, and both
were dashed to pieces
Mrs Chesters cheek turned a little pale,
hut she elung resolutely to her own theory.
" But, Mrs. Chester, you will let me per-
suade you to send the jewels by some safe
hand ?"
Nonsense, Clara, why should [? They
will be a great deal safer with me. aud l
want to give them to Geraldine myself the
, evening before she is married. There's
another good reason for not postponing our
, journey want the evening for a good chat
with my favorite niece instead Of arriving
just at the last minute before the ceremony"
Clara looked wistful and unconvinced, but
: said no more.
Mrs. Hyde Chesters niece Geraldine
Raymond, was to be married the next day
but one, and Mrs Chester had set her warm,
impulsive heart on being present at the cere.
mony, and moreover, on presenting the bride
with a very beautiful set of diamonds which,
with their antique case Of dark green
morocco, lined with saudal-wood scented
satin, had descended from generation to gen.
GRAFTON in the Chester family until the pres
ent nheretrix of the name, having no daugh.
ter of her own, had resolved to give it to her
favorite niece.
al never was superstitious," said Mrs.
Chester, laughing, and | don't intend to
commence now. Are the trunks and other
things all ready my dear?'
"Yes."
"Then | suppose we may as well order the
carriage. | can't bear to be behind hand
at railroad station. Look-you see carry
the diamonds in my morocco travelling bag, 30
they cannot possibly be stolen. Does that
content you 2"
Only half Mrs. Chester" said Clara,
smiling an indstnct kind Of shadowy smile.
was not satisfi d until they were at the sta
ton, had purchased their tickets, and were
safely seated in the train. Clara Champfort
was leaning against the window. idly watch
ing the hurrying throng, as it came and went,
when suddenly she withdrew her face with a
low cry.
Mercy upon us, child" exclaimed Mrs.
Hyde Chester what is the matter ?"
'' The face-the very face | saw in my
dream" Clara cried. her own face blapcbiog
like that of dead person. "Oh, Mrs.
Chester, our fate is following us in his
shape"
Z" Clara" said Mrs. Chester as nearly an
gry as she ever could be, IL never saw such
ridiculous superstition in my life."
" But the diamonds" muttered Clara, as il
speaking to herself their glitter was inter-
woven through il all. 1t must be-yes. il
must be he watched when YOU got them from
the bapk-that he il on our track
Clara, hush tell you will not have
it,"
And Mrs. Chester's plump face actually
looked for an instant almost pale. Clara
turned to her with an eager wisifal glance.
"We 20 to Terriswode by train And
that is twelve miles from Daingerfeld ?"
Yes, we have to take a conveyance
thence"
"What kind Of road is it from Terris-
wodep"
"yerv wild and picturesque"
"And lonely ~
Yes" Mrs. Chester admitted, though al.
most unwillingly it is little lonely"
DO we pass over it by daylight."
Mostly, if the train happens 10 be on
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