The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1880-10-08
rain. We don't have such finery

rain. We don't have such finsry
often. SOS.
Cherry, half vexed at his reception Of
her theory, glanced at the corner to-
ward which he nodded. Unusual
finery indeed. with its rich velvet and
silver mountings, was that luxurious
carriage. She walked over and exam
ined it more closely; and presently
when some men from the back part OF
the shop came forward to talk with
Uncle Nat, she entered it-partly to be
secure from observation and undisturbed
in her thoughts, partly, also. with q half
acknowledged desire to see If it would
{" seem natural" 70 her. What sense
of wealth and comfort there was in the
very nesting down among the cush-
ions!
She pillowed her head on the velvet.
and looked out at the blackened walls
of the old shop, lit up by the fire CLEANS
here and there-the glowing furnace,
the red-hot iron, and the sparks dying
from the anvil like spray from some
fountain Of fire. The place looked
like some dark, cavern in that
half light; and the two or three figures,
with bare brawny arms and grimy
faces, grew shadowy and weird as they
moved to and fro. The gray daylight
must be fading fast, but she could not
90; the rain was still falling steadily,
and even while she wished for its ces-
sation its sound lulled her into pleasant
fancies.
With her eyes fixed on the fiery bed
of the furnace there came visions of far
off volcanoes, and lakes cleaning in
lurid light. Then. in strange contrast,
arose snow-tipped peaks. and beautiful
cities with the old-world sunlight upon
them. The hammering of the sledges
grew faint and low-so low and distant
that she could hear the music from
grand old cathedral organs. After that
she became a very Wandering Jew.
travelling across dreary deserts. and
through valleyslike the garden of Eden;
over continents and oceans, on, and
still on for lifetimes. The fairest scenes
grew old, and her eager feet weary, but
they had no power to pause. At last
prison walls shut her in, and stayed her
wanderings for a little. It would be
but little time she knew; they would
begin again with her release, and even
now the bolts and bars were sliding
back.
With the sound of opening doors
Cherry started up and looked around
her-or tried to look, for she was in
darkness. She felt cautiously for the
stone walls of her cell. and touched
only velvet. Slowly she comprehended.
She was still in Miss Fosilby's carriage;
she must have fallen asleep there. No
one had known it. and they had gone
away and left her locked in the black
smiths shop for the night. How late
was it? It had seemed q long time in
her dreaming. But had it been all
dream? for there came again the sound
of an opening door.
Could any one be coming for herP
Uncle Nat had surely not known where
she was. or he would not have left her;
and Aunt Barbara would think of her
as having sought shelter from the rain
in the house of some friend. But the
sound of footsteps near the door was
and she heard voices in
consultation. Then the steps
drew cautiously nearer, and paused be-
side the carriage.
'.This is it," affirmed an unfamiliar
voice.
"Make sure" was answered in q low
tone.
There was a moments pause, then q
match was struck. famed up for an in
slant, and was quickly extinguished.
By its brief light Cherry caught only a
glimpse of several heads; she discov-
cred no one clearly. But the strangers
were apparently satisfied that they had
found the object of their search. There
was muttered 'All right" and the
carriage was slowly turned around.
"Steady now! make no noiser' was
warningly, and the carriage
was drawn carefully forward, out oft6e
shop and into the road.
Another momentary pause occurred,
rs if some of the party had gone back
to close the door. Cherry, still crouched
low on the seat, discovered that the rain
had ceased. and through the window
caught CLEAN of stars. She feared to
raise her head for any farther observa-
lions lest she should be discovered, as.
frightened and bewildered, she tried
TO comprehend her situation. It was
, particularly unpleasant one. The
had evidently been stolen, and
she was being borne away in it,
she knew not whittier or by
whom. These persons, aware of its
presence in Uncle Mats
shop, and coveting its silver trappings.
perhaps, had seized the opportunity to
steal it, never dreaming that it had an
If they should find her
here
Cherry shuddered as she thought of
t. Those who could commit such q
.,.irno xzoi,ld saaroolu hosifafa fo non,