Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1872-02-22
MI see liam e o u S.
THE REDSIONE GULCH.
By FAIRFAX FERGUSON.

1t was Jessie Barton's wedding night
The sunny October day had drawn to a
close. and evening gathered around the
cabin in the edge oil the forest. A broad
stream of light from every window pour.
ed out into the darkness. from hundred
flaming candles, which shown Oh the
merry company within. Rough-faced
yet geni'l-heari ed frontier men were there;
clad in hun ting suite Of tanned deer skin
kind. ma truply looking women, yet il
the vigorous prime of life: and young
men with tall, muscular forms. yet quie
and modest in the presence Of womcn.
All was gaiety for a Il bad come 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 periled his life for one tendsr
glance from Jessie Bartou's eyes, or a
kiss from her ripe, red lips; and though
it made nnany heart thrub quicker to
think that she was soon to be wife. all
fel, Joy in her great happiness.
She stood this night, near a window,
the centre of group OF laughing, chat
tering girls, bright and beautiful as some
brilliant plumed songster of the topics.
Her fgnre was slight, yet perfect in sym
metry. and her features, though not reg
ular. were piquant and bewi,chine. She
had dark. shining hair, slightly waving,
as though half inclined to form jvtty
ring lets; low womanly forehead. and
checks tinted with the roses bloom; soft,
dark brown eyes, wells of liquid light,
shadowed bv long dropping lashes; aud
pouting coral lips, disclosing, when she
smiled, two rows of even, pearly teeth.
There was look of anx lois, eager ex-
pectancy in her eyes for there was one
vet absent. whose com ing was awaite by
all-her promised husband, Wynhe Gay
| lord.
Suddenly the cabin door was thrown
wide open, aud mans figure appeared
in the door way The stranger was clad
in hunters costume, but his face was par
tially concealed by slouched hat, which
was drawn down over his brows. He
held in one hand rifle, and the orna-
meuted bilt of bowie knife was visb lie
abose his belt. He stood for moment
like statue, his lurid eyes, glaring
out from beneath his slouched hat, sweep
ing the faces of the company till they fell
upon her who was soon to be the bride.
Then, with an air Of bravado, he lifted
HID hat, revealiDg countenance with
rufianism apparent from every feature.
"You are all ready for the wedding,
and wait only for tie bridegroom" he
cried. his voice ringing the room in still
ness. But ye will wait long time.
He lays in Redstone Gulch. bullet in
his heart. | shot him dead an hour ago,
as he came through the Gulch from the
settlement. You know why, Jessie Bar
ton, for sw ore to you would murder
him, be fore he should become your hus-
band. You can see how have kept my
oath. .5r
He turned and vanished in the dark
ness, sending back derisive laugh.
For moment, all withii the cabin
were motiopless and silent, as If petrifed
With astonishment and horror. and then
wild coz fused cry arose upon the air.
"After him, all !! He must not es-
cape! p
In an instant every man was rushing
towards the door, many taking down theft
rifles from their brackets on the cabin
walls
I'VE must have torches. Let each
man take fagot from the 6re!'
The command was obeyed, and soon
the Aaring light of twenty torches fell
over and around little band Of men
gathered just before the cabin door. a
look uron every face that told OF the
pas, ions aroused in their breasts by the
terrible words still in their ears. If all
had loved Jessie Berton. none had been
s6 kJack .hoartad \ = To w!ah harm to come