The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1880-02-05

AMONG THE MOUNTAINS.

Black Valley, when the si0w-gathef1ng
gloom Of night seemed suddenly to deep
en-. The light died along the slopes of
the mountains; and the little tarn beside
which his horse had leisurely walked for
the last hour seemed suddenly to have
grown into black, moveless line.
''The storm is on us, Kitty, and we're
stalled In this confounded rut of q val
ley," said Lord Redmond. 81 have been
trying to get out of it for two hours" "
he muttered, dismounting and leading his
horse.
The beautiful mare he led seemed to
share in his anxiety, following obediently
and with an occasional glance around.
Suddenly she gave shrill whinny, and
the same moment Redmond thought he
heard distant cry. He looked up ca
gerly scanning the hills, and finally saw
a boy standing on point of one of the
bluffs and gesticulating wildly. As he
pressed on he could hear the lads cries.
"Haste, then, haste-the storm is COM
ingl Haste-it will soon be on you'll
Follow the path-it will lead you up
here. Hasten, or you'll be drowned like
a rat in his hole."'
Before Redmond reached the boy, he
was suspicious that he was half-idiotic;
and when he gained the rock upon which
be stood. he saw that lad was, indeed, a
poor half-crazed fellow, with staring eyes
and furious gestures; yet not without
mercy for those less helpless than him
self, for he carried awearied 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 mis- horse.
Kitty saw shelter first, and whinnied
again at the scent of barley, which she
perceived as they turned sharp angle
and faced an old stone structure with out
buildings, more dark and gloomy in its
appearance than the surrounding scene.
"Go in to the fre!' cried the boy,
pointing to the door, and grasping
Kitty's bride.
"No; I will see her put, up first" 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
TANKS, and covered her with an old
blanket, showing a gleeful satisfaction
in her beauty as he tended her He left
her finally, and turned toward the
house. t. .....
1t was a good stone building, showing
marks of decay wherever decay could
touch it. 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
in which an old woman was preparing
supper, while an old man sat upon the
hearth, fumbling with the lock cf rusty
rife, and two old pointers lay at his feet,
smelling about his hands and the gun.
He was the wreck of stern, fine man;
that was to be seen at glance. The
woman was crone of the lower orders
his serving woman, as she showed by the
awkward haste to obey the old mans
command, and bring seat to the fire.
He did not speak, but only commanded
by a gesture.
Redmond addressed him courteously.
He smiled sadly, shook his head, and
touched his ear, in token of helpless
deafness. .e''-t
And so the wealthy lord, detained
from his waiting bride and marriage
9. feast, sat at the old dreary house, look
ing in i'll ll-concealed discomfort from thu
fire to the serving woman, and from thu
dogs to the passive and resigned face o.
his silent host.
When the woman came and wheeled
the old mans chair to the board, he per
ceived that he was also crippled. Tht
crone turned to him.
"Will ye sit by, sirr she asked.
As he rose, the door opened, and .h'
stood arrested in the movement. A ladl
entered, 80 fair 80 pure, so cold, that sh'
might have been made of snow. She hat
loose black mantle about her, whicl
she threw of, showing regal form, hab
tied in rich black stuff-the brocade o
former generation. She paused, he
still face lighting with look of surpris
as she observed the stranger. Redmond
stepped forward, with the grace Of court
revealed in the unconscious act.
T hope I am not intruding, lady?
have been Overtaken by the storm amOnl
these mountain&" .'.
"What is your nameT' she asked, look
ing him in the face, nor giving othe
sign of interest in his handsome pres
ence.
81 am the Lord of Redmond" h
answered. II will trouble you no longe
than 1 can avoid" he added, littl
haughtily.
'tord Redmond" said the lady, "yo1
are welcome-you are very welcoms
Lord Redmond"
u She spoke with energy-withou
warmth; but Redmond, confused by tn
strangeness Of his position, observed onl
that her manner was a peculiar one; an
though wishing himself well out of th
place, took his seat Mt the table, as sh
desired.