Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1872-08-09
Gelctte0 nlisteIIann.
IN REDSTONE GULCH.

q
sunny October day had drawn TO 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 dark
ness, from hundred flaming candles, which
shoue over the merry company within. Rough
faced, yet generous hearted fronliermen were
there, clad in hunting suits of tanned deer
skin; kind, matronly-looking women, yet in
the vigorous prime Of life; aud young men
with muscular FORMS yet quiet and modest in
the presence Of women.
All was gaicty, for all had come from far
and near TO this, the wedding of the beauty
of the settlement. There was not one among
the young men present. who would not have
perlled his life for one tender glance from ,Jes-
sic Bartons eyes, or a kiss upon her ripe, red
| lips; and though ii made many n heart throb
| quicker 10 think TINT she was soon to be wife,
| all felt JOY in her great happiness.
| She stood this night near window, the
centre of group OF laughing, chatting 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 he
wiching. She had dark, shining hair,
| slightly waving, as though halt inclined to
form in jetty riuglets; low, womanly fore
head, and checks tinted with the rose bloom,
soft, dark-brown eyes, wells Of liquid light,
Swallowed by long dropping lashcs and pout-
| ing, coral lips, disclosing, when she smiled
two rows of even, pearly teeth.
There was a look Of anxious, eager expect
| ancy in her eyes, for there was one yet absent,
whose coming was awaited by all-her prom
ised husband, Wynne Gaylord.
Suddenly the cabin was thrown wide OPEN
and mans figure appeared in the door way.
The stranger WAS clad in understanding but
b
hat, which was drawn down over his brows
He held in his hand rifle, and the ornamentcd
hit Of a bowie was visible above his belt. He
stood for moment like statue his nrid
eyes, glaring out from beneath the slonch hat
sweeping the faces Of the company TIL 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 ruiiianism APP
parent upon every feature.
g You are oil ready for the wedding, and
wait only for the bridegroom, he cried, his
voice ringing through The room ia the still
ness. " But ye will wait a long time lie
lays in Redstoue Gulcb, bullet in his heart
shot him dead hour ago, as he came
through the Gulch from the settlement. You
know why, Jessie Barton, for | swore to you
would murder him, before he should become
your husband. You Gun see how have kept
my oath"
lie turned and vanished Ia the darkness,
sending back derisive laugh
For moment, all within the cabin were
molionless and silent, as If pctriled with as
constituent and horror, and then wild con-
fused cry rose upon the air.
4" After him, all He must not escape p
In an instant every man was rushing to-
wards the door many taking down their rifles
from their brackets on the cabin walls.
. We must have torches. Let each man
take a fagot from the FIRE !"
The command was instantly obeyed, and
coon the faring light Of twenty torches fell
over and around a little band Of men. gathered
just before the cabin door, look upon every
face told Of tie passion aroused in their breasts
by the terrible words still ringing in their
ears. If all had loved Jessie Barton, none
had been 50 blackhearted rs to wish harm to
come to the one she favored, and ali we're ca
ger to be upon the track of the trcacherous
villain, who had shot down his rival in cold
blood
"There is but little chance of tracking him
in the darkness" said Ward Barton, for he
seemed chosen leader by all. " We must sep
aratc. Let one party proceed directly TO the
Gulch, and The other search for The trail Of
Brent Shoot him down like dog, if you
cannot capture him.
4 wild shout was his answer and the stur-
dy foreslers moved into the forest, every eye
on the alert.
Within the cabin the women were gathered
closely together, horror depicted upon the
faces Of all
Leaning against the 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 in the
first pangs Of her grief.
Suddenly, wihouta word, she turned, and
hinging open the door, darted out into the
night, before hand could be raised to stay
her. Almost as swiftly as a bird, she filtered
across the strip Of clearing aud vanished in
:be forest.
She heard the door open quickly and
voice call, Jessie, where are you? Come
back
She did not answer but plunged rtll deeper
in the woods, moving after the band Of men,
towards Redstonc Gulcb.
'Oh, Wynne Ny husband? she moaned,
her voice fall Of agony. Why should he harm
you for my fault2 cannot live without your