The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1877-05-05
In a Moment Of Peril.

LII d IMUu16uG VI I6fl'
II was most bCnightcd place--.quit,
"the end of the world" The nearest log
hut was five miles away, and the neares
settlcmcnE-.thc Old Red Ranch, as II wa,
called-.thirty. The Forest family haC
pitched upon it quite by accident, whcr
they had migrated from the old countr,
ten years tcforc. Mr.. Forest had pur
chased vast tructof uncuftivated land OF
the Red river, and had settled there, likt
the. .patriarclls Of old, with his wife and
children, his men servants and maid ser
wants, his flocts and herds aud everything
that was his,
Since then everything had prospered with
him. Wide ranges OF prairie, magnificent
sweeps OF forest and wood, green hills and
dales, belonged 10 him. lie was literally
and truly monarch Of all he surveyed. lIi'
family consisted Of his wife, three grown uF
sons, and one daughter, Nancie, sweet
misChicyous, dark.cyed damsel, aged eight
cen, whose capacities for flirting and mis-
chief were as fully developed as any town
bellies. One would not have imagined thai
there was much scope for these special &C
complislimCnts in the .wilds Of Texas; bul
there was not a young fellow within fifty
miles OF Forest Hill who was not in love
with Miss Nancies benlr yeur, and not one
but who would have ridden twice the dis
tance fora kind word or sign OF favor from
the somewhat. .caprieiousbut always charm
ing young beauty.
Tie Northcotcs--.listant relatives OF The
Forests were the owners Of the Red Ranch
settlement, place one degree more civil
liEed than Forest Hill, inasmuch as il
boastci one shop and postOtfice. Young
Fred Northcote, the eldert son, was one ol
Mis- Nancie's most devoted slaves, and as
such, was tyrannizcd over quite unmcrci'
fully. The young fellow was alway,
finding his way over to Forest Hill on sonit
pretext or other lie had spoken his wishes
plainly enough long before, but Miss Nancit
was llirt. She would not say Yes" bu
she did not say mo-" and meanwhile Free
was kept in suspense, chatting and impatien
enough, and YET bound lland and foot to hi.
willfuI. charnling lady love, and perhaps
man like, loving her all the more for hel
caprice.
It was brilliant morning in April.
summer weather in the far West, the sur
already blazing down tercely and promis,
ing tropical noon-day.
Mr.. Forest and young Fred Northco.e
who had been spending day or two al
Forest Hill, were standing together bcfort
the picturesque porch Of the long, farm
house.. Fred was brown-facetl, blue
eyed young fellow, strong and athletic. III
looked very hantsomc in his. careless back
woods costume OF knickerbockCrs and
gaiters, striped blue and white shirt, light
loose jacket, and broad brimmed hat shad
ing Ills manly, frank face, with It's sof
mtistachc and bright keen eyes. A black
horse Of great beauty, dccp.chestcd, strong
limbed, was standing beside him, paving
the ground and tossing his handsome head
under his masters carcSsing hand. Hot
spur was an English horse, almost thor
ough.bred. For fifty miles round there wal
not his equal for speed or endurance, nor
in Fred's opinion, lor beauty either. Mr.
Forest was speaking.
Il hear the prairie hns been on fire away
by the North Forks. Mind you do not ge
caught. The wind sets right from there, anG
Il is iuat the weather for fires
NO fear,' laughed the young fellow, as HI
put one foot in the stirrup; Ivc run man!
a race with prairie fire before now. Good
bye, sir.
'Cousin Fred, Cousin Fred, l want to g
to the Red Ranch; you must wait for ME!
n,tnI "a Unotks fn,,Na.snt,s vntnN i,.t n,
Fred's liorsc had made n step forward, ant
n tall, slight girl came running down thI
vcranda steps her nut brown hair shining
like FURNISHED gold in the sunlight,
bright color in her fair arch face. Fret
was down instantly, his face assuming al
expression OF surprise. Not half mn hou
before he and Nancy had had high words
and that she should voluntarily seek hi
escort now was somewhat unaccOuntablc
But most Of Miss Nancie's caprices wer'
unaccountable.
1t is too hot, child, interposcd her faith
or. Thirty miles in this blazing S,in-'-i
would half kill YOU
'Oh, no, Il would not urged Nancie, he
dark eyes sweet and willful. II will no
hurt ME. Let me go, daddy.--do! cal
ride Miss Mollic, and with half shy
half mischievous look Mt the young man.
Fred will take care OF me- ..,
Mr.. Forrest raised one or two more ObieC
tions; but Nancie--.a spoilt pet and durlinl
ovcrriled them all, aud finally, as she al
ways. did, got her own way, and in half Al
hour the two were riding together througl
tho maple woods which clothed the risinl