The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1878-01-31
THE SHADOW OF FATE.
ny JUDGE JARVIS.

Wncn lay aiong the hills az the pase OF tne
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 a
stream now running over its banks. Slipping
easily from his saddle, he tightened 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 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 upcurrent The depth
OF the water did not sensbly 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 ioated along
Man and beast battled bravely 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 instant's
pause in the. precipitate course of the beast,
but in that instant the stranger became aware
OF another presence by the touch Of Shiny
object against his hand.
Raising his head above the neck of the
charger, he saw dimly outlined upon the way
ing and shimmering surface dark and unde-
fnable 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 a soldiers danger he
swung his leg over the back of the animal and
gathered himself up in the saddle.
Reaching out 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 beast
must all succumb, and twice the noble struggles
Of the animal cheated the turgid grave Of its
victims.
Finally, the hoofs once more crunched the
firm bottom of the stream, and ten PAGES
brought the party safely to the shore.
Feeling the forehead, he found it cold; the
hands we're also chilled, but he thought he felt
slight fiutter 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 a 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
stimulant.
"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
a 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 wereein turn
succeeded by one or two sharp. cries OF pain,
which gradually subsided into moaning chat
ter of wailing, incoherent sentences.
At this point the stranger, iu 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 bleeding!" he calculated
$500 if there is a cut anywhere"
An examination soon revealed ghastly
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 oozed slowly from
| its mouth.
Pending the arrival of doctor, the stranger
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. "I
you will be kind enough to let me have bed
until I can get rest for an hour or 80 and DIR.
my clothing, shall resume my journey unde
great obligation to you. Matters OF importance
urge me to lose no time, and I shall only de
lay until my horse can recruit Tor the balanc
of nv ride, In fact but for the incident o
finding the unfortunate lady in the creek,
should have continued on the road withou
consulting my comfort 30 far"
HWiIl Won tell me how you happened upo
the adventure and how you account Tor tn
lady's wound and present condition? ?"
The traveller gave brief account Of th
events without, however, throwing any hgh
upon his own identity or business.
:" May ask your name, sir?" inquired tn
host, whom we will introduce to the reader a
Mr.. Thornton, or Squire Thornton, as he wa
dubbed by his neighbors in honor OF his bein
a justice Of the peace.
81 beg pardon for the misconstructior
My name is Gaspard Durer short while sine
soldier in the French service. Do you sc
anything in my appearance or anything els
about this case which justi6es you in interr
eating me officially 2"
! "Until one who is found with body tn
! has been murdered or dangerously assaultt
has accounted satisfactorily for his presen
there there is legal suspicion hxed up'
D.. him."
0 "If must be detained to satisfy the law
s Weld to the annoyance with as little impatien
= as possible where the officer OF the law exc
r cises his duties 80 courteously."
y After a few more remarks were passed, Z
{ squire bade his son Eddie conduct the gent
f man to his room and see him well provided
s After the traveller bad left, the vagrant 81
fingered. Shifting his hat restlessly but n