Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1875-09-17

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of the old structure itself Around the yard
were many graves, some marked by tomb
stones, and some only by their depression be-
low the level ground, whilst others were siul-
pie, sodded mounds.
Deeply rooted in the minds of the plain
folks in that part of the country there were
some ghoslly legends and on bad nights,
when the storm ragged without, and the men
were collected around the stove a, the village
store, some were heard TO say that they never
liked TO pass through the churchyard ut night
aud one man asserted that he had heard very
strange noises in the vestry room just as the sun
wns declining, when he was going home from
| work. IL was common saying that no one
cared to pass that way at night, and even a
horse pricked his ears in the solemn shades.
What amount of truth there may have been
in these stories ii is not my purpose to discuss,
and 1t does not matter IN this narrative. But
when Brenda and Vivian crossed the gateway
and entered into the gloomy shadows, their
minds were running little on these grave
yard legends, many of which they had been
familiar with from early childhood. They
rode silently along everything was solemn
and quiet; the tall old cedars stood up in their
silent dignity, and the evening air was filled
with the fragrance of the Woodbine and sweet
brier Suddenly Brendas horse trembled and
snorteG, and, making one tremendous spring,
dashed off at lightning speed, with the terri
fled girl clinging to his name. In one instant,
and before Vivian could recover from the mo-
mentary shock horse and rider were out OF
sight.
Quickly realizing the position in which he
was placed, the young man dashed his spurs
into the TANKS of his own spirited ami nal, and
started in pursuit, in the hope Of overtaking
his precious charge, bis soul filled with appre-
hension and dread for the fate OF his cousn. Al
Mr. Howard's outer gate he found Brenda ~
tltap.
to be SEEN The poor fellow knelt by the side
of the PROSTATE girl and called her by her
name; but she did not answer In great dis
tress, he took her gently IN his arms and NOV
ed toward the house.
DR.. Wilton was the popular physician OF
ST. Mary's parish, and had married the ward
OF Mr. Howard, creating family connection
which both of the gentlemen found II agreea-
BILE to cultivate, establishing thereby warm
friendship, so that the doctor always called al
Mr. Howard's whenever he was attending
patient in the neighborEood. 1t so happened
that at the moment when Brenda horse threw
her off as he leapeG 10 clear the fence at the
gate, Dr. Wilton WAS on the yeranda with her
father The attention Of both gentlemen was
attracted by the riderless horse OF Brenda tear
ing toward he house. Without stopping TO
secure the animal they sprang ino the doctors
buggy and drove rapidly in the direction
scending slight decJiviiy near the gale when
they perceived Vivian with his charge APP
preaching them.
Doctor Wilton drew in his horse, and Mr..
Howard, jumping out of the carriage, said -
VIVIAN, is my daughter hurt?'
81 fear, sir, that she is.
IL hope, SIR" said Mr.. Howard, coldy,
"this viii teach you in the future not 10 race
horses with which you are not perfectly ia
miliar.h
| DR.. Wilton made brief examination OF tue
wounds of the sufferer, and rected the father
TO convey her as gently as possible to the
house. When the buggy containing the dis
tressed father and his child started, Vivian
held back, and was much inclined to indulge
in his own sad reflections; but the aminblc
doctor had already opened his heart 10 SYM
pathy for hin, and now, taking him by the
arm, sand, -
''Come, NJ. Barton, cheer mp, sir. ! hope
the case does not justify your serious mood y
The doctor and Vivian walked rapidly TO
the house, keeping pretty even pace with the
buggy. AT the house, the commotion which
is usual upon the occasion OF an accident, FOL
lowed, and Vivian fingered near Brenda )
room, in the hope that some word to enconr-
age his sad heart might fall from the kind
hearted doctor. But he could only inform our
hero that she had recovered from her swoon
and that nothing positive concerning her state
could be ascertained before morning.
Vivian spent cheerless heavy night, and
early the next morning sought his uncle, TO
assure him that he had not been the cause OF
Brendas accident, explaining just how il oc-
f Cured. Mr.. Howard apologized for bis nasty
, words, and told Vivian that his daughter was
, much better, her injuries proving slight, and
now, with quiet and repose, she would do very
well in few days. This report soothed
, Viyian's feelings in great degree, but still
the day dragged along sorrowfully enough.
Toward evening he took n book ana seated
himself on the piazza fronting the river and
the landing on the creek, and was just on the
point OF opening it when, attracted by the
grand panoramic scene stretched before him,
be gazed around until his eyes fell on boat
, crossing from one side o. the creek to the 9th
err. This boat was filled with men, and steer
ed directly for the landing. Vivian watched
/ il Till il reached the beach, and the occupants
, stepped ashore, when two or three men came
q in to view from the shadow Of the bank and
met the new arrivals Then, as sndden
, thought flashed into his mind, his cheek
flushed, and his eyes flashed.
tThey are soldiers" he exclaimed, going
to battle. ! have loilered in idlcness long
enough will join the defenders Of my coun-
try-apd forget her."
Ten minutes later, Vivian bad joined The
boats crew. The conversation, the jcss, the
fitting shades Of sadness as some one thought
or the home and the old folks whom lie might
never behold again, all these thugs, which nj
another time would have caused him 10 feel
sad tended now to excite him, and drew him
entirely from bis own thoughts, and it took
! no persuasion to induce him 10 join that en-
thusiasiic band.
AT midnight Vivian, with his comrades,
started for the other side Of the river, with the
blessing of he COED old vicar, who, the next
day, called early on Mr. Howard, to inquire
for Miss Brenda, or, as he called her, the
dear child, =" and to put the following note IN
to her fathers hand -
"DgAR UNCLE IL love Cousin Brenda inst
as you loved Aunt Bertha when you were
united in the holy bonds OF marriage. Know
ing, as ! have known from our early child
hood the settled aversion that both you aud
| Aunt Bertha eutartain TO the marriage Of first
cousins, feel the utter hopelessness of my pas
sion for my cousin, and seek 20 Danish these
unhappy feelings from my heart by joining
the army, Ere this reaches you shall be sale
on the other shore, or prisoner on the decks
ofthe eneny's gun-boat. In either case ani,
with deep affection for you all,
Your nephew,
VIVIAN BARTON"
Mr. Howard was not little amazed when
be perused these lines, and Vvian's short
epistle awakened ia his mind volume Of
thought. lie may have been rash ia pro-
nonncng the edict against the marriage Of
near relations, bat had he had not bad cause
to do so since he led bis own beautiful cousin
from the altar a brdeH Three sons had been
born him, but only one ever called him
''father - that one never stood apon his feet,