Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1878-02-01
THE SHADOW OF FATE.
BY JUDGE JARVIS.

1890 w. IA NaAAAb us "el wv ANal
which lay along the hills at the base Of the
Blue Ridge Mountains, in the region known as
the Piedmont OF Virginia, about the sources Of
the Rappahannock river.
The man himself might be described in the
same language, as far as it would apply. Be-
yond this his age was about tWenty-three, his
hair brown and full in lock, his eye OF grayish
blue.
His way quickly brought the traveller to
stream now running over its banks. Slipping
easily from his saddle, he frightened the girths,
slackened the crupper, and, gently patting his
animal, addressed few affectionate words to
him. Remounting, he fixed himself firmly in
the saddle, gathered his bride in a manner to
impart to his companion his own energy and
determination, and moved into the creek.
Turning up the stream, he proceeded for
about hundred yards along the bank, and
then struck boldly across in direct line, with
the horses head slanted up current. The depth
OF the water did not sensibly increase in the
course Of eighty yards, and the stranger was
congratulating himself upon the probability Of
getting over without wetting, when the ami
NAL in two steps increased the depth until he
could no longer hold his footing, and sprung
boldly into the middle of deep, rushing
channel. In an instant the rider had seized
the name of the horse in his left hand, and
slipped smoothly out of the saddle to the lower
side, where he hoated along.
Man and beast battled braYely with the flood
for moment, when the former was startled to
feel the horse finch and turn with a terrific
snort down the current. quick jerk upon the
left rein served to procure but an instants
pause in the precipitate course of the beast,
but in that instant the stranger became aware
of another presence by the touch Of a Shiny
object against his hand.
Raising his head above the neck of the
charger, he saw dimly outlined upon the wav-
ing and shimmering surface a dark and unde-
Enable object The next moment the desper-
ate plunges Of the beast had obstructed his
vision, when, with the self command of one
accustomed and nerved to the hardship of
athletic sports and soldiers danger, no
swung his leg over the back of the animal and
gathered himself up in the saddle.
Reaching ou5 hand, he was about to seize
the object of his horror, when it exposed the
ghastly features of woman.
For an instant only he hesitated then, re-
covering from the thrill, he grasped the head
firmly by the loose, flowing, tangled mass of
raven tresses and raised it above water on the
pommel of his saddle
Turning his head again up stream, he re-
newed the combat with the tide. Twice it
seemed as though man, woman and boast
must all succumb, and twice the noble struggles
of the animal cheated the turgid grave Of its
victims.
firm bottom of the stream, and ten PAGES
brought the party safely to the shore.
Feeling the forehead, he found it cold; TIE
hands were also chilled, but he thought he felt
q slight futter Of the pulse. Tearing open the
dress, he pressed his hand against the heart
and found it still warm.
His efforts to resuscitate her were soon re-
warded, and, after few moments, the woman
made an attempt to speak, which resulted,
however, only in moaning cry.
At this point he began to look for other
assistance, when he observed light upon the
hill above the creek Once more raising the
body to the pommel of the saddle and mount
ing behind it. he sought the road.
One stepped around to receive the woman.
and another entered the house to procure the
gtimulant.
"What's this ?" said the one who was assist
ing the traveller in dismounting the woman.
"Send for the nearest physician at once"
They lifted the motionless but reviving form
into the house, and deposited it upon sofa.
The stimulant was soon brought, and, upon
small portion of it being administered, the
woman indicated an increased vitality by
broken gurgle. This, after while, gave way
to clearer articulation, in which, however, only
| syllables were omitted. These were in turn
succeeded by one or two sharp, cries Of pain,
which gradually subsidized into moaning chat
ter of wailing, incoherent sentences.
| At this point the stranger III raising his
hand to her head to brush the tangled hair
from her brow, noticed clot of blood upon
the wet skin of his finger rubbing it off, he
found no trace Of wound.
"She must be bleedingw he calculated
"see if there is a cut anywhere"
An examination soon revealed CHASTITY
wound, an ugly, gaping abrasion upon the
left side of the head, above the ear, and just
behind the temple. The locks were matted
over it, and the blood still oozsd slowly from
its mouth.
IGnUlDR dTTlNdl Vi u uOCtOEy luO btlhhSCI
clipped the hair from around the wound and,
after bathing it with feminine tenderness, he
gave the patient over to the charge Of the
ladies' of the house who were in attendance.
az presume you are the host SIR" said he,
at once, addressing the elder of the two. 'It
you will be kind enough to let me have bed,
until [ can get rest for an hour or SO and dry
my clothing, shall resume my journey under
great obligation to you. Matters of Importance
urge me to lose no time, and I shall only de-
lay until my horse can recruit for the balance
of my ride. In fast, but for the incident OF
finding the unfortunate lady in the creek,
should have continued on the road without
consulting my comfort so far"
"Will you tell me how you happened upor
the adven ure, and how you account for the
ladys wound and present condition? ?"
The traveller gave brief account Of thu
events, without, however, throwing any ligh
upon his own identity or business.
I" May l ask your name, 2" inquired thu
host, whom we will introduce to the reader al
Mr. Thornton, or Squire Thornton, as he wa
dubbed by his neighbors in honor Of his being
justice of the peace.
~ beg pardon for the miscoastruction
NY name IL Gaspard Durer, a short while sine
soldier in the French service. Do you se
anything IN my appearance OF anyLnlng eis'
about this case which justi6es You in interro
eating me officially 2"
! Until one who is found with body tina
! has been murdered or dangerously assaulte
has accounted satisfactorily for his presenc
there, there is a legal suspicion fixed upo
him."
. "If 1 must be detained to satisfy the law,
8 yield to the annoyance with as little impatienC
= as possible where the officer of the law excl
r cises his duties 30 courteousy."
' After few more remarks we're passed, tn
{ squire babe his son Eddie conduct the gentle
I man to his room and see him well provided fc
0 the night.
q Afta. tba traralar bod left the warrant AFT