The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1874-01-06


turning his gaze once more upon the poor
woman, he took the seat which Orlando
proffered him, soon after which the youth
brought to him dish of water.
While Chiron was drinking, Mrs. Ches-
ter seemed, for the first time, to notice that
there was stranger in the house. and after
Watching him for nearly minute, sud-
den light overspread her beautiful features
and rising from her seat she approached
the spot where he sat, and laid her hand
carelessly upon his broad brow.
Are you not a stranger, sir p asked
Mrs. Chester, in tone of considerable
earnestness. "Surely you must have seen
my husband. Tell me, have you notp"
"No, madam, have not But rest
you in peace, for you may yet see him
again"
Mrs. Chester went back to her window
and sat down. Whether the thoughts of
her husband had passed from her mind, or
whether the assurance of the strange
hunter had softened her grief, it is impos-
sible to tell, but at all events her tears
melancholy oversprsad her features with
its softening influence.
AS soon as Chiron saw that Morgiana
was quieted from her burst of sorrow, he
arose from his seat, and beckoning to
Orlando, he took his rifle and left the
cottage.
"Sir," said the old hunter, as the two
stood once more in the garden, "this is
the first time for many, many years, that
tears have wet these rough cheeks of
mine but who could see that sad
sight and not weep Boy, you know not
what mind has there been wrecked.
must now away, but be sure we shall meet
again, and often. Pursue your wonted
course, and when danger threatens will
be near to protect you"
Gone moment, SIR" urged the young
man, as Chiron was in the act Of turning
away. (Which way from here do you
take ?''
"To Jamestown"
"And how?"
"The same way came-by land"
81, too, am going to jamestown to
carry a load of skins and furs, and if you
will take a seat in my canoe, we will bear
each other company"
Chiron assented readily to the proposal,
and while Orlando went to make his ar
rangements, the old hunter reloaded his
rifle, and then busted himself in looking
about the place. 1t took the young man
but few minutes to get ready for his
mission, and when he rejoined his COM
panion, with his furs upon his back, the
latter remarked, as he noticed the pistols
in the belt of Orlando
You 60 we'll armed"
81 always do,' returned the youth, as
he started off. "My rife carries but one
ball, sometimes l want more"
Orlando led the way in south-easterly |
direction towards the river, and as both
the hunters were naturally on the watch
for what might be stirring about them,
there was but little said on the way, and
that of q commonplace character At
length they came to a small, vine-arbored
cove, which let up somerods from the river
and here the young man found his canoe,
and ere long they were both upon the
broad river, with the tide in their favor,
sailing rapidly down towards the settle
ment.
For nearly fifteen minutes after the
canoe was upon the river not word was
spoken. Chiron was busy with his own
thoughts, and Orlando knew not how to
address his companion upon the subject
nearest his heart. There were hundred
questions he would like to have asked but
he disliked to meet refusal for an answer,
and so he asked them not.
"orlando," at length asked Chiron, just
as the youth had shot his canoe past a
swift eddy that made round an abrupt
point, "will you tell me what are the pc
culiar points of your mothers maniac"
"You saw her this morning, sir. She
is seldom different-never raving."
81 mean not that" returned Chiron.
" A soul like hers could never rave with
utter madness meant to ask what are
the particular ideas that haunt her most P'
"There are only two ideas that seem to
be firmly fixed in her shattered mind. One
Of them you have seen in it's effects. The
same question hhe so earnestly asked you,
she puts to all strangers who may call,
though never before have known her to
approach visitor rs she did you. And
she also often talks to me about her hus-