The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1879-11-21

fore his mind, and in the night it rose
up amid his titful dreams. Her voice, so
fun of melody and unearthly sweetness,
sometimes seemed to be actually heard
by him than remembered and then a
thrill of Joy disturbed his being.
Two weeks passed, and Foster was on
his way to Mr.. Kidd's home in the hills
1t was the middle of December but the
weather was mild as spring time. 1t
was Saturday evening. The sky was
clear, and the genial sunshine diffused
over the world the aspect of spring, not
of winter. About an hour after sunset
he halted at the house of Mr.. Kidd.
No one was at home but Milly. She
was not expecting him, and was in her
everyday dress. But the mountain
people are not much troubled with the
nicer points of what the world call eti-
quette; and MilIy gave Foster welcome
with the heart, the lips being merely
Instruments.
The sight of the beautiful girl gave
serenity to the mind of the young man.
Peace, deep as the still summer noon,
came over his soul, with an absolute
happiness that he had never known be-
fore. After supper Foster and Milly
sat together in the same room they had
at first acquaintance occupied. She
felt to be still more beautiful and then
they chatted till the old man came in.
On retiring, Foster lay Sleepiess, en-
tranced in glorious happiness. He on
ly felt his bliss he was not distinctly
conscious of it.
Next morning opened with the mild
ness of May. The sun rose in cloudless
skies, and the day was full of the peace
of nature and the blending of her count
less charms.
In the evening Foster and Milly
walked out together in the large apple
orchard But their walk did not ter
inmate there they went into the adjoin-
ing woods They strayed on through
the great forest of chestnut trees chat
ting till they had gone a mile, and stop
ped on the brow of high hill that COM
manded a far distant prospect of the
winding course Of large creek.
And here il was that Foster knelt be-
fore Milly and asked her to be his wife.
Milly drew back and said:
"That cannot be-
''Why 20 said the still kneeling Eos
ter. Can OF do you not love me well
enough to be my wife This is my first
love; never did l ask any girl to be my
wife before. l love and adore you, and
my life will be wretched without you. ;"
Milly took his hand and gently raised
him up. She sat down on fallen re
and drew Foster beside her Loo Z
him full IL the eyes, she said:
Mr.. Vaughn, if l were to follow the
dictate of my heart | would accept your
hand with its true love. But an q
poor BiOuttuiR girl, and my marriage
with you would be an insult to your pa
rents and friends. I could not come
among them as an equal and viii not as
an unequal.
But Foster pressed his suit with an
eloquence which the loving heart can
alone inspire and dictate. Finally,
! terms were settled-the couple rose up
+ pledged to each other.
In the morning Foster had cOnveT-
sation with the father and mother of
NIilly, and gained their consent to his
marriage with their daughter.
Foster returned home in the evening
/ On the next day. at dinner, he told his
parents of the engagement with Milly
Kidd. His mother burst into tears,
and then into fit of extreme passion.
The KnObinite,' - she said. shall
never be my sons wife with my consent.
How pc, fectly ridiculous, Foster do you
intend to kill me -
+ Mr.. Vaughn took matters more cool
Iy: but at night he told his son calmly
that ne could never give his consent tC
the marriage.
Then the kin and the intimate friends
of the family came i'm with their aston
ishment and indignation. But Foster
was not moved. lie told his parents
plainlythat he was determined to marry
Mary Kidd.
Then" replied his mother, 4 had
rather see Won dead -
And 50 had /" responded Mr.
Vaughn.
In the evening Foster went to Wal
nut Flat. a small villag some two miles
distant There he met with Il number
of persons who wished to go deer hunt
ing in the Knobs. The next day was
set apart for the hunt on the head wat
erS of Black Creek.
When Foster came home he told hi:
parents of the contemplated hunt the
next day. They at once upbraided hin
with forming an excuse to go back tC
see Milly Kidd. Mildly but firmly ht
told them he was not going to see NIilll
but simply to have hunt for deer.
"Then, said the mother, ''go along
but ! had rather see YOU dead than Il
have you marry that miserable kltobi
nite.'
Foster made no reply. for he haC
seen that his parents would never sub
NIT to his wishes.
The next morning opened, cold arc
cloudy. The company met at Hallt
Gap, and having appointed meeting
place in the evening, each struck on
into the lone hills
At about one O'Clock snow began |,
fall and thickened into a terrible storm
The men all met at the appointed tim
but Foster was not there. They wait
ed long time, bat he did not come
and they supposed that. in consequence
they all departed.
About night Fosters horse arrived q
: home but this created no alarm. hi
: parents thinking that the horse had brc
: ken loose, and that their son was in tn
neighborhCod.
) Not till the next evening was the fac
: known that Foster had not returne
from the hunt No one knew an
{ thing about him. On the third morT
: ing a company was made up to hun
: for him. The most serious fear for N
| safety were entertained, as the weatht
=; had turned intensely cold. y larg
! company of men went into the Knoll
Q and took different directions in scare
: of the lost man. Not a track OF man {
: beast could befound A party was SCI
out to visit the few SETTLERS in the +
: giOn Of the hunt, but no one had see
Y Foster. One young man went to VI
: Kidd's. but Foster had not been there
Z. Their search was continued, and fina
e ally Fosters gun was found in the snoy
e The next trace of himwaS discovered in