Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1878-01-25
THE SHADOW OF FATE.
By JUDGE JARVIS.

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 a
stream now running over its banks. Slipping
easily from his saddle, he frightened the girths,
slackened the crupper, and, gently pstting 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 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 a deep, rushing
channel. In an instant the rider had seized
the name Of the horse in his left hand, and
clipped smoothly out Of the saddle to the lower
side, where he floated along.
Man and beast battled bravely with the flood
for moment, when the former was startled to
feel the horse finch and turn with terrific
snort down the current. A 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 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 dark and unde-
Unable object. The next moment the desper-
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
CHASTITY features of a 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 were also chilled, but he thought he felt
a slight hutter of the pulse. Tearing open the
dress, he pressed his hand against the heart
and found it still warm.
His efforts to resuscitate her we're 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
hbSlSCanC6, WHEN ue ODseTNeu lloul 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
"Whats this 7" 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 stimuant was soon brought, and, upon
small portion of it being administered, the
woman indicated an increased vitality by a
broken gurgle. This, after a 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 a moaning chat
ter of wailing, incoherent sentences.
At this point the stranger, in raising his
hand to her head to brush the tangled hair
from her brow, noticed a 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
"see if there is cut anywhere"
An examination soon revealed a CHASTITY
wound an ugly, gaping abrasion upon the
left side Of the head, above the ear, and just
behind the temple. The locks we're 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 bathingit with feminine tenderness, he
gave the patient over to the charge Of the
ladies of the house who were in attendance.
al presume you are the host SIR" said he,
at once, addressing the elder of the two. al
you will be kind enough to let me have bed
until can get rest for an hour or so and dry
my clothing, l shall resume my journey under
great obligation to you. Matters of importance
urge me to lose no time, and l 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 adventure, and how you account for the
lady's wound and present condition ?"
The traveller gave brief account of the
events, without, however, throwing any hgh
upon his own identity or business.
May ask your name, sir ?" inquired the
host whom we will Introduce to the reader al
Mr.. Thornton or Squire Thornton, as he wal
dubbed by his neighbors in honor of his being
q justice Of thepeace.
az beg pardon for the misconstructon
My name is Gaspard Durer, short while sinct
soldier in the French service. Do you set
anything in my appearance or anything else
about this case which justifes you in interro
eating me offcallyP
Until one who is found with body tina
has been murdered or dangerously assaulted
has accounted satisfactorily for his presenc
there, there is legal suspicion fixed upol
him."
"If l must be detained to satisfy the law,
yield to the annoyance with as little impatienc
as possible where the officer Of the law exer
cises his duties 30 courteously."
After few more remarks were passed, tn
squire babe his son Eddie conduct the gentle
man to his room and see him well provided 70
the night.
After the traveller had left, the vagrant still
fingered. Shifting his hat restlessly but me