Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1880-04-21

OlSeutduSltu IuO oChoSiNS0 "NNJ'
1t in the carriage, and turned to Dellcia
tor further directions.
Get dector Immediately that you
reach the village, Mr.. Green. L Will
take this young lady home with me, and
bring her back to the hotel as soon as
[ can put Joan to the phaIon. Come
with ne, my poor child will take
care of you,' to the petite, white-faced
eirl a; and throwing her ridding-sklrt
more closely over her arm, she led
Joan by short cut through the fields
back to Wheatland.
By and by she tried to question her
companion but the girl, almost trans
ported with grief, made such incoherent
replies that she could only learn that
she had been riding since the middle OF
the previous night, that they intended
to be married there.
Were you-wsre you,' said Dellcla'
gently, in in voluntary amaze, running
away from your friends?
Alta nodded.
From my brother, Guy Vanneyar.
He did not like Mr.. Munroe. Yes, we
were to be married against his viii, ana
oh, Wallace, Wallace'
Throwing Joan's bride over the gate
most, Delicia led the trembling girl %
the door. 1t was locked.
The key hung in the secret place
known only to the family, for Aunt
Thankful had at last executed q promise
TO visit a sick neigobor some quarter OF
q mile distant. Bob had not yet re-
turned. for it wanted still an hour till
noon.
To Delicia's CONSERVATION, the un-
happy girl no sooner entered the warm
parlor than she tainted.
With the strength of excitement, she
lifted her in her.srms and bore her into
an inner room, where, placing her up
on a bed, she unfastened her dress,
bathed her temples and chafed her
hands.
At length Alta Venuevar again drew
her breath.
Passing through the hall to procure a
restorative, Delicia saw a man just IL
the act of vaulting upon Joas. 1t was
not Bob. though the saddle had been
removed and lay upon the ground; II
was man in ragged coat, evidently
q tramp.
With q flash in her blue eyes, Dellcls
stepped back. and snatching a silver
mounted revolver from a shelf threw
wide the hall.door and fired.
The bride fell from the mans rlgi'
hand, and Joan-three steps beyon'
the gate-stopped.
To Delicia's surprise, the man instan
tlv dlsmounted, and, turning quickly
toward her, lifted his hat.
lam effectually stopped, young Ia
dy; but, believe me, l did not intend
to steal your horse, and certainly LETT al
equivalent, though now in sorry condi
tion.'
Bewildered still more by the courte
Gus words and cultured tone. Deilci'
turned IN the direction the strange
pointed with his left hand, and saV
within the yard a dusty buggy and pan
ting horse.
Il am trying to overtake my youn
sister, who has eloped with scoun
drel.' said the man who was both youn
and handsome, and my horse brok'
down hopelessly just before l reache
your door. Otherwise, in less than al
hour l should have probably overtake
nv sister before she was married an
her life ruined. So near the object
my long and desperate drive, L coul
not be baked OF its object for want
q horse. l knocked three times atyou
door, intending to beg or hire yours
which 1 saw, fresh, standing at the gate
but for some reason 1 could summo
no living being. Knowing that m
+, horse was more than equal to yours
value. though now almost killed /
hard driving, resolved to take hlm,a
after oyertaking the man who is ruI
ming away from me, to instantly restol
your property to you; but'-with a Ii
lie bitter laugh-'you have chectual
nrevented that. / think L am bleedlr
to death.
His voice closed family; the blot
! was squirting from his wrist de sal
upon the step at her feet.
D Delicia's cheek grew white, for 81
knew the danger Of that terrible blee
4 ing. Unless it were stopped, the mi
!, would IN a few moments be dead.
e Sprlnging to the side OF the now u
responsive stranger, who seemed un
, Bile 10 utter another word, she snatch
her handkerchief from her pocket, a
d tying it about the wounded aim' lnse'
It ed stick picked from the ground, 'h
e making an effectual ligature, and
D. the abatement Of her terror, saw
frightful jets of blood sub'lde'
N The strangers white face the delr
Of red blood, the sudden relief 1T
m spurrlHg terror, turned Dellcia ial
ly Then she struggled hard against tel
h BILE reellng sensation, and held
he own.