West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1878-11-23

stlIi held the book i'm my hand INV fair
I hostess rc-euiered ana approached the
/ table by which stood.
Pardon me, please" began, for
examining your library uuinyited: but
may ask who the author is of these
/ beautiful stauzas ="
The color that rose To her cheek. ycri.
he'd the conclusion | had arrived nj but
she merely said Oh no one i'm p,r-
ticular and added quickly, papa has
just come; nc will be iu in "a moment 4"
she had scarcely finished speaking
when tall, dark man with heavy brows
full black beard and long flowing black
hair entered the room, aud after the
formalities OF an introduction were over
we sat down, aud ms his daughter with.
drew from the room I'M subdued tone
he commenced
Violet informs me that you are after
Marengo."
Violet She bore the name of NV
tavoritc flower; and, oh, how well il
fitted her, thought /.
Yes, sir replied; and any in
formation you could give me would be
greatly appreciated. Am ON the right
track"
Yes" he answered "I think YOU
are" ''u
listened intentlv.
But you should have left the trail
he continued. ' SOME three miles back
There rs little clearing there. Didn't
you see II rs You came along"
Yes ] replied, " remember it,"
Well, sir he continued, q" have n
suspicion which / have never vet com
municated to any living being. not even
to my daughter, and that is that some
where about that clearing Morengo and
his men live
" But, said !, in surprise, "are YOU
not afraid Of your lives living i'm such
close proximity to such desperate
baud?n
Did you ever hear" he replied
Significantly, "of Morengo attacking a
house ."
No, I never bad
And let him dare 20 attack this
house, he continued, with considerable
spirit; " that girl OF mine and could
give them a pretty rough deal, Ireckon."
" Why" | exclaimed, what could
"Dow he replied Well, now. she
can swing rifle just a lively as the
next bushwhacker.'
was astonished
And ! never saw horse so fast"
he added, with apparent pride, chat
she couldn't lariat on the keen iump."
1t Is unnecessary To say was amazed
a lady, thought |, who possessed so
many and such varied accomplishments
whose sweet voice ! could now hear
IN the adJoinining room as she hummed
a familiar song while busying herself
about her dutles-was wonder indeed
The door opened, and supper was an
nounced in readiness.
After supper was over and the table
vacated | again essaycd to leave, when
the father met me with the words:
Oh, you must stay over night Your
party will be along in the morning. nv
daughter informs me, and you can ioin
them then"
1t waslust getting dark, and insisted
on going, although my heart did not: so
my horse was ordered and as / took the
profered hand Of the fair creature who
had in such short time filched NV
heart from me, ] gave it a pressure
which brought the crimson dive 10 her
fair check; and the father, Selling INV
hand with a vicc-like grasp, repeated the
warm invitation Of his daughter To
come again, whick / assured them I
should.
The moon was shining brightly as !
rode slowly away, and, thought /, what
can equal the hospitality Of a Califor-
nian? And as / was a out to leave the
clearing ! took one last look al the
house where my divinity dwelt, and was
surprised at seeing form approaching
me. Could il be She? ! stopped and
waited. Sure enough, IL was she.
dismOunted, and rs the fair creature
drew near and said
forgot 10 caution YOU Ii is very
dangerous road you have 20 travel, aud
especially at night"
j looked into the dark eyes before me.
Could it be possible that had awakened
the same feeling, in her heart that she
had in minel
DO not give yourself a moments
alarm about my welfare" ] replied. d" /
have travelled roads thousand times
more dangerous than this trail"
Oh said She % ] do not apprehend
any danger, but, you know, n word of
warning is sometimes better than am
ounce Of steel" Aud then added
archly: Look OUT for Juauita Nor
engO"
! laughed, and told her that I had
never yet met woman whom ! thought
ould worstOr take me at DISADVANTAGE.
With merry little laugh she extended
her hand, and at the same time handed
me note, reque sting me t0 take 10 to
C-yille and promise me-" she added
as She looked me full i'm the eyes. that
you will not look at it till you arrive
there. ] think ] can trust YOU"
promised by all that was holy that
would not violate her trust. and al the
same time deposited the note in n pocket
Of my saddle BAGS ] then raised to my
lips the little hand that had laid so con
fidingly In minc and imprinted kiss
upon sc, and was soon on my way again.
had proceeded thus about two miles.
and as ] neared thc clearing. which wa.
now my objective point. ! uuwillugly
cxpe led The pleasant thoughts from my
mind and became more cautious en-
tered the clearing by % sharp turn OF the
trail and hearing slight rustic iu the
underground close bv stOppcd INV
horse and listened AN was silent. +
had proceeded but little farther when
] suddenly heard whizziug sound imi-
lar To- that made by whip cutting
through the air, and at the same instant
] felt my arm p uiOncd t0 my side as
though 70 rope wcrc wrapped around INV
. u