Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1873-10-30

MARY, we have lost everything :;
this gentleman has won all, and he
wants you for his wife. have prom
ised him your hand. Go to him
The surprised and confused girl ran
to her mother but Ned called to her,
in rough voice:
Come here to me, girl you're now
my little woman, and l want you
Scarcely knowing what she did, with
one bound sue reached the door, and
in moment more was out in the dark
night and flying across the prairie to-
| wards the barn. She heard her father
call TO her to come back, and then
halloo to Ned TO run round the house
while he went to the barn. Mary had
intended to take her pony from the
barn and ride she knew rot whittier
but, hearing her fathers voice close
behind her, she slipped out of the
stable by back door and ran across
the prairie. For an hour she ran on,
and thea sank down completely sx-
hausted. Long and bitterly she wept.
lying prone upon the cold, damp
ground. Then, startled by the howl
OF a wolf, she sprang up and tried to
think. Where should she go? What
should she do? 1t was not far to the
river, and she would cast herself in,
and beneath its dark waters end her
trorbles. Arrived upon the bank, she
stands like statue, gazing down at
the gurgiing flood. Her purpos. is
hrm; one plunge, and all will be over.
But bark what hoise is that! 1t is
the dip of paddles and, as Mary
stands ON the very brink of the river,
In the light Of the new risen moon, a
canoe, with four Indians in it. round
the bend OF the stream within a few
rods of her. Why does the warrior in
the bow of the boat rise, and, with n
gesture, impose silence ON his COM
rades! He believes this white and
statue-like figure is no human being,
ana even the oars cease to din while
the boat Aoats silently by and the
savagcs pass on their way to the settle
ment TO steal stock.
Mary had stood perfectly still, little
caring what became of her; but the
sight Of the Indians had changed her
purpose, and no sooner had they pass
ed than she FASTENED from the river
As she turned about, a great gray wolf
rose from the grass within few feet
of her, and skunk away with an angry
growl, while night-owl, perched on
the limb OF tree over her head, flap
ped his great wings and uttered dis
NAL cries as lie flew aflri5hted up the
river.
Mary had been thinking for the past
few minutes Of "Wild Trapper of the
Blue and she had now determined To
90 to HIM. She knew she was not far
from his cabin, and why should she not
20 and claim his protection! Perhaps
beiieved he was not so wicked AS they
had represented him TO be.
lhe night air was chilly, but She
ielt not the cold, for her blood was rnIl
Of fever. The wind tossed her brown
hair around SO that she took her shawl
and put 1t over her head, and then ran
priskIv along the trail. In an hour
she neared the fierce hunters cabin.
and her heart beat wildly as she
Knocked upon the door. Ayain and
again she knocked, but still uo r.-
sponsc, and then she went to the little
window and peered into the cabin.
She listened, but all was dark and /
silent within.
Returning to the door she wrapped
louder than before, and a Voice
whispered through the-key-hole:
WHO is it z"
For a moment she knew not wba, IN
say. then, summoning courage, she re-
piled:
ut is MARY Thompson-who
wants you to protect me-"
Cautiously the door was opened
and the hunter looked out and stared
Al Mary, to whom lie said:
II thought it was Indians or Rcpn.
ators; hnt come in, glrl, aud | be-,
pardon for having kept you out in the
odd SO long"
Then he lit pine-knot, and, handing
Nary chair, drew out his sharp iack7
''''o "h' "h!1lIeu some ShavlugS to |
,indle fire. There was soon a brigbt
'laze rearing on the hearth, and, with
u TIE poilteness of courtier, he
moved up Marys stool and babe her
1T close to the burning embers.
Il heard you" he said, "even before ,
on knocked. for my ears have become
practised to the sound of
pproachlng footsteps but | could not ;
lake you out. When saw your head '
the window with that shawl over it. S
thought it was squaws head" ne c
dded, laughing, and, after moments
ause, inquired, "Any Indians down I
our way!' !
Mary simply said "No," and he a
ressed her no further. d
The kettle was boiling, and he made e
cup of tea and gave it to her to S
rink. Then he said:
'Now, young lady, know not what v
rings you here at this time of night, I
Or do wish to know; but something Fl
must have happened to cause h
~ one to claim protection from the C
lid Trapper Of the Blue, and. above h
| others, a young girl. There! u
here! he added, seeing Mary was if
'out to speak, ''don't say word, but fl
st lie down on that bed and take a h
'od sound sleep, while l 60 outside el
I'd Keep watch over the house. You 3
N shut the door and bolt it after me.
you wish," taking his gun, ''but you -
ed not be afraid, Mary, for | would y
It harm hair of your head and, as 20 u,
others harming YOU while you are b,
'der my protection, they must first tc
oss the dead body of the Wild Hunt nj
. Now, don't fret, girl, but sleep as Sc
undly as if you were at home and pa
ppy; and, mind you, don't cry and p' =,
Duble, or you'll be having a spell of Is i.
'kness in the morning after this night
p, and can tell you I'm a mighty
or nurse" he said, closing the door W