The daily gazette., 1880-02-04
AMoSG THE MOUNTAINS.
BY A. L. t.

Lord Redmond was rlQlng slowly
along Black Valley, when the slow
gathering gloom of night seemed sud-
denly to deepen. The light died along
the slopes of the mountains, and the lit
tie tarn beside which his horse had lei
surely walked for the last hour seemed
suddenly to have grown into a black,
movsless line.
"fhe storm Is on us. Kitty and we're
stalled In this confounded rut of q val
ley" said Lord Redmond. ~ have been
trying to get out of itfor two hour-," he
muttered, dismounting, and leading bis
horse.
The beautiful mare he led seemed to
share 10 his anxiety, following obedient-
ly, aud with an occasional glance around.
Suddenly, she gave shrill wbinny; and
heard distant cry. He looked up
eagerly, scanning the hills; and finally
saw boy standing on point Of one Of
the bluffs, aud gesticulating wildly. As
he pI essed on, he could hear the lads
cries.
"Haste, then, haste the storm is
comiDgl Haste-it will soon be on you !!
Follow the path--it will lead you up
here. Hasten, or you'll be drowned like
rat in his hole"
Bef're Redmond reached the boy, he
was susp cious that he was balf-idotic !;
and when be gained the rock upon
which he stood, he saw that lad was, in
deed, poor half-crazed fellow, with
staring eyes aud furious gestures yet
not without mercy for those less helpless
than Lin elf, for he carried a wearied
lamb, which he had probably been out
In search of, while the dam ran by his
side.
"Come--come out Of the storm |" he
cried, pressing on.
And Lord Redmond followed, still
leading his horse.
Kitty saw shelter first, and whinnied
again at the scent Of barley, which she
perceived as they turned a sharp angle,
and faced an old stone structure without
buildings, more dark and gloomy in its
appearance than the surrounding scene.
"Go In to the fire !" cried the boy.
pointing to the door, and graspfng Kitty's
bridle.
"No; will see her put up frst," an
swered Lord Redmond, leading The
horse around to the stable.
The animal was too valuable one to
be left TO chance care. He was sur
prised at the readiness with which the
half-senseless boy rubbed down her
glossy fianks, and covered her with an
old blanket, showing a gleeful satisfac-
tion 10 her beauty as he tended her. He
left her finally, and turned toward the
house.
1t was a good stone building, showing
marks of decay wherever decay could
touch 1t. Neither face nor freight was
to be seen at the windows, though the
wind was shrieking and the rain falling
heavily; and, obeying the boys direc-
tions, Redmond opened the creaking oak
door, and entered.
He found himself In large, low room
iE which All old woman was preparing
supper, while an old man sat upon the
hearth, fumbling with the lock of a
rusty rife, and two old pointers lay at
his feet, smelling about his hands and
the gun. He was the wreck of a stern,
fine man; that was to be seen at
glance. The woman was crOne of the
lover order-his serving woman, as she
showed by the awkward haste to obey
the old mans command, and bring a
seat TO the fire. He did not speak, but
only commanded by gesture.
Redmond addressed him courteously,
He smiled sadly, shook his head, and
touched his ear, in token or helpless
deafness.
And so the wealthy lord, detained
from his waiting bride and marriage
feast, sat in the old dreary house, look |
ing in ill-concealed discomfort from the |
fire to the serving woman, and from the |
dogs to the passive and resigned face OF |
his silent host.
When the woman come and wheeled |
the old mans chair to the board, he per-
ceived that he was also crippled. The
cr one turned to him;
"Will ye sit by, sir? she asked"
As he rose, the door opened, and he |
stood arrested In the movement. A lady |
entered, 30 fair, SO pure, so cold, that she
might have been made of snow. She
had loose black mantle about her,
which she threw of, showing a regal
form, hAbited In rich black stuff-the
Drocade of foImer g-neration. She
paused, her still face lighting with
1ok of surprise as she observed the
stranger. Redmond stepped forward,
with the grace of courts revealed in the
act.
l hope | am not intruding, lady? l
have b. en- overtaken by the storm among
hese mountains.
"What is your namep she asked, look
ng him in the face, nor giving other
,lgn OF In crest in his hadsome pre- sence.
~ am the Lord of Redmond" he an-
,wered. 81 will trouble You no longer
han can avoid" he ADDED, a little
"Lord Redmond" said the lady, s.you
ire welcome-you are very welcome,
Lord Redmond"
warmth; but Redmond, confused. by the
'trangeness of his position, observed on
y that her manner was a peculiar one;
lnd, though wishing himself well out of
he place, took his seat at the table as
The desired.
The meal was good, and she served
lim bountifully; while the old man, for
he first time breaking silence, began
elling In q rambling, incoherent,ye not
way, the story of some ia
nous storm among the hills.
at was five years ago. Barbara, you
we're slip of girl, and Bess had to be
.arried nome in my arms. Do you mind
Ter hair curling over my ann in the wet?
and how she cried for fear she was
90 heavy for me?"
He paused, and he looked across the
,oard at the young lady--a troubled,
yistful look in his face, showing some