Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1875-07-23
THE LIGHTHOUSE AT AyONDALE
BY ELLA WHEELER.


BY ELLA WHEELER.
A WET east wind came blowing across
the moor that stretched eastward from
Meredith House. A wet wind that blew
nobody good but was full of miasma and
heavy with the odor of decaying nature. l
sat by the window and looked out upon
the dreary autumn landscape, almost hid
den now by the shadows of the dreary
autumn cleaning.
Mamma moved the lamp upon the table
so that its rays fell upon the window near
which [ was sitting, and out upon the
gravel walk beyond, lighting small
space with the radiance of day. | gazed
out listlessly. A figure came out from
the dark shadows into the lighted space.
The erect figure of man, and he stood
motionless, looking up at the window,
the blaze of light falling upon his hand
some, daring face. l bit my lip to keep
back scream and my heart beat so loud
ly feared mamma would hear it. The
man outside smiled and made a gesture
which signified Z" Come out" But l
turned my face away, determined not to
betray my knowledge of his presence.
Why did he haunt me so when he knew |
had determined to forget him-when he
knew how absolutely necessary it was
that should put all thoughts of him out
of my mind now and forever.
Mammals voice broke the oppressive
silence 81 hope this is not the forerun
ner of the equinoctial Storm" she said,
"but almost fear it is. 1t will be an
unsafe time for ships to cross the lake if
the storm comes ON with its usual force.
Rollin will be here Thursday night, he
wrote, and this is Saturday. l hope the
storm will blow over in a day or two. [
should not like to have your wedding
postponed on any account 1t is an evil
omen"
"My wedding!" Yes, was to be mar
erbee, heir of the Weatherbee estates, and
the Weatherbee pride, and blonde beauty
L had been engaged to him two years, and
all that time it had been understood that [
should wed him on my eighteenth birth
day, and the day drew very near. | had
loved him very dearly, l thought, and was
very proud of him. But three months ago,
a few weeks after our arrival at Merideth
House, where we had come to remain un-
til after the wedding, 1 met with little
adventure which had altered the whole
matter, so far as was concerned, and put
my foolish young heart in tumult. l
was out for a gallop on my pony, Sinbad,
when gale of wind came up and my hat
was blown from my head. felt it going
and threw up both hands just as Sinbad
with snort, gave leap which unseated
me; and toppled over his side and down
upon the ground and lay stunned for
moment, while Sinbad galloped away.
was not seriously hurt, only stunned, and
soon rose to my feet and brushed my tam
gle of brown hair out of my eyes to see
Sinbad struggling to free his bit from the
iron grip of mans hand-a young man.
with 1.-THE, erect figure, dressed in
hunting suit that well displayed the tiger
like grace of his person. He held the
frightened animal until he ceased to
plunge and rear, and then led him, touch
ing his cap lightly as he neared me, and
looking me through with his dark eyes
II beg your pardon" he said. Il saw
the accident that befell you, and was just
in time to catch your beast by the bit as he
plunged by. hope you are not seriously
injured"
Not at all, I answered; "only a little
bruised. Thank you for saving me two
mile tramp home, to find mamma fright
ened to death at the return of Sinbad with
out me-"
lie assisted HE lutO TIT Sull1tlc
walked by my side on toward Merideth
House.
81 am going to see you safe home, un-
less YOU forbid it." he said. "You may
have received injuries that you do not
know Of, and do not think it safe for
YOU to ride home alone. You are very
pale, assure you, and your hand is un-
steady at the rein"
| did feel nervous and weak, and was
not at all unwilling the young stranger
should walk at my side; he looked so
handsome, with his gun slung carelessly
over his shoulder and his rather reckless
face turned up to me. He walked by my
side to the house and assisted me from the
saddle, and, at my urgent request, came
in and received mammals thanks for what
he had done He bowed with princely
grace, saying: Breeze Rogers, madam,
is highly honored in having the opportuni-
ty to do you or your daughter service"
And then he left us, with one last glance
of his dark, passionate eyes.
The very next day he came back, bring
ing my scarf, which was lost when / fell
from the horse. And after that he came
off and on, whenever he could find pre-
text or excuse, until mamma became an
noyed at the frequency of his calls, and,
fearing that he was not suitable person
for an associate, made inquiries of the
man who had taken charge of Merideth
House all the years we were absent. What
he told her did not help the matter any.
Breeze Rogers, ma'am! Yes, | know
him. His father was old Squire Rogers,
and fine old gentleman he was, with a
good property that he had amassed by
hard work. But Breeze was wild lad
from the first; and as soon as he came of
age he grew worse instead of better, and
in three years time had spent all his own
property, and then his father died, leaving
him his That was scarce two years ago,
but the fine estate is nigh used up with
fast living, and the young man is going to
| the bad, ma'anl, as quick as be can go. He