The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1879-07-02

Gertrude. Nothing had been heard of
Harold. though careful search had been
made for him. It was the universal
opinion that he had sought refuge in the
far West. Preparations were made at
Mr.. Moor's for Edwards reception, and
all went merry, as though nothing wrong
had occurred; for, indeed, Gertrude's
parents felt grateful that Harold had
only gotten $34O instead of their affec-
tionate daughter, whose happiness would
have been wrecked had she become his
wife.
We have stated that it was the univer-
sal opinion that Harold had gone West;
but there was at least one exception.
Gertrude did not believe it. She could
not forget what he had written to her.
She was more than once about to tell her
parents, but the warning he had given
her prevented her doing so. On the
night preceding the day on which Ed
ward was expected to arrive, she retired
to her room at an early hour. Her mind
was filled with apprehensions of evil.
She spent several hours in meditation,
occasionally breathing silent prayer to
God that all might be well with Edward
and that she might see him on the NOR
row. She never once thought of her
own safety. Why should sheP Harold
had made no threats against her, and
besides she was apparently beyond his
reach. The clock had tolled the hour of
twelve. Gertrude felt drowsy, but feared
to close her eyes in slumber lest she
should be awakened by some horrible
dream. AT last, however, despite her
efforts, she fell asleep on the chair with
her head reclining on the stand. Some
time afterward she awoke very much
frightened. How long she had slept she
did not know. The candle had gone
out and the room was enveloped in dark
ness. She endeavored to recall the cause
of her fright; but, failing to do so, she
flung herself on the bed and was soon
wrapped in slumber again. But once
more she awoke. The room was dimly
lighted by the moon, which had just
risen. A rustling noise on the carpet at
tracted her attention, and, looking in the
direction of the window whence the
noise came, she saw a man stealthily ad-
vancing toward her. She sprang to her
feet and attempted to scream; but a
strong arm was placed around her waist
and hand over her mouth, and voice
which she know whispered in her ear.
" Attempt to escape or make a noise,
pretty bird, if you dare" Lifting her in
his arms, he glided out of the window
and hurried through the lot back of the
house to the alley, where carriage
awaited him, into which he conveyed
the terrified girl and gave orders to the
driver to make all possible speed, as day.
light was fast approaching. Gertrude
wept very bitterly. She was now in the
hands of Harold Fulton. What fate
awaited her she could not tell; but she
prayed that God might give her strength
to endure whatever should come.
An hour had elapsed, and the carriage
was rolling rapidly along the road, when
Gertrude, whose weeping had somewhat
subsided, discovered that Harold was
asleep. No words had been spoken since
starting except by the driver, who
swore occasionally at the horses, but
for sometime he, too, had been silent
Gertrude at once conceived the idea of
making her escape. She listened a few
minutes at Harold's heavy breathing,
and being satisfied that he was asleep,
she arose softly and looked out of the
rear end of the carriage. She could
easily and silently let herself to the
ground, she thought. She stood motion
less, uncertain what to do. The driver
cracked his whip over the horses, and
the carriage went rolling along at in
creased speed. Her heart beat heavily
and seemed to rise in her throat, for she
feared she would be detected. She gave
one step toward the seat; but no, she
would risk detection rather than submit
quietly to the doom that awaited her if
she remained in Harold's power. she
glanced at the driver to see that he was
not observing her, and with prayer on
her lips that her undertaking might be
successful, she slid noiselessly to the
ground. No one had seen her, and soon
the noise of the receding carriage died
in the distance. Throwing herself on
her knees, the young girl, who had been
brought up by religious parents, thanked
the God whom she had learned to trust
from childhood for the success of her
undertaking thus far, and implored Him
to enable her to return safe home again.
Rising from her knees, she began at once
her journey; for well she knew that
sooner or later her escape would be
discovered, and an attempt made to re-
capture her.
On, on she went, getting nearer and
nearer home. Day dawned, the sun
rose in all its majestic splendor and cast
its refulgent rays over the earth.
Eventually our heroine drew near the
town. Soon she expected to be safe at
home; But NOW the hopes that all along
had filled her breast gave way to despair
for, looking back, she observed horse
man approaching her at full speed. She
thought it must be Harold. Determined
on last effort, she began to run; but
she was sure this could not last long.
He was fast gaining on her, and she was
expecting soon to beseized in his ruth
less grasp, when a half dozen horsemen
came gallOping around a cuFVe in the
road, and she fell fainting to the ground
as they dashed furiously past her. A
lively race ensued, which resulted in
Harold's capture. But there was one
who did not engage in the pursuit. II
was Edward Rutherford, who had ar,
and, learning soon after of Gertrude'.
abduction, had engaged at once in the
search. He alighted and endeavored tC
revive her, but failing in this he took
her in his arms and rode back to town