The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1880-11-06
A WILD RIDE.

Out on the broad prairie, the broad einer
the pale gray of a swift-coming night; be
low, on the earth, q vast level waste of greer
carpeting; to the east, to the west, to the
north, to the south-a vast horizon, stretch.
ing away in the misty, invisible distance.
A dreary region, doubtless, save to the
plowman, or the stock-raiser, or lovers saun'
terng arm in arm over the velvety turf.
There was nothing to disturb our sense o.
blissful solitude, except the great circle %
emigrant wagons drawn up for the night
and they, with their busy owners, were just
far enough away to give us the feeling o.
companonship without unpleasant prox-
unity.
The whole scene around us breathed o
'peace on earth, good will towards men,
aud yet, with loves quick insight, l saw
that there was cloud over the spirit of one
dearer to me than all else on earth.
"What is it, Mary ?" | asked at length
after long interval of silence. "Something
trouLl,syou this evening. There, don't deny
it, dear; it will be useless. Is it that you
begin to doubt the wisdom of your father''
move to a wild Western home? If SO, be
lieve me, it was the wisest and most hope
ful course open to bankrupt merchant
he will be rich man yet. Not thatP Then
do you regrat my inprudcnee in deciding
to seek my fortune also at his side? II so
you sh6sld have said it sooner; for now my
lady, declare I'll not go back again, ever
at your royal bidding"
"That being the case" answered Mary
laughinsly, 81 will endeavor to he patien
under the affliction. But seriously, Harry
and the shadow crept back over her swee
face, 81 do feel unaccounrably depressed
this evening. | have tried to help it, bu
in spite of me my mind keeps dwelling ol
John Barton's oath. You remember h
swure that he would follow and snatch IN
from you before we had crossed the Rock.
Mountains; we shall reach their foot To
morrow, hear, and though it is foolish,
know | shall not feel easy until we hav
crossed them in safety. You need not tel
me that Barton is not here, and that l an
surrounded by honest, kind hearted people
even If had not you and father. know
all that, butt feel frightened all the same
l cannot help it, so be patient with me, ,Har
ry dear, till it wears OIL"
drew her arm closer to my side, and W
walked silently toward the camp, now illu
minated by the numerous fires kindle,
within its circle.
did not wonder at my dear ones horro
Of John Bartons oath. l, too, had oitel
thought, with a vague uEeasness, of tn
hvid, vengelul countenance and hissin
voice, full of hate and revenge, of Mary
rejected lover, as be stood confronting u
on our departure from our native town, an,
swore a solemn oath that she should neve
| reach her destination nor ever become III.
wife.
lie received no word ofreply, only blo'
from my clenched hand, that laid him pros
trate on the road, and there. after ascertain
ing that he was not serou lY hurt, We lei
him.
Two months had passed since then, an
although had secretly kept close wutcl
| had been able TO detect no signs Of Bar
toms presence or pursuit, and thus m
vague anxiety had faded away until, | con
iess it, Mary's words imbued me somewha
with her own uneasiness.
More silently than was our wont, there
fore, We entered the camp, and Proceede
toward Mary's wagon home; but ~ our SUI
prise 1t was not nlts usual position ,althoug
my own vehicle, whose place was next i
the row, occupied its accustomed spot.
After considerable search we found th
missing wagon standing outside the circ
the driver, ulky,sullen fellow ! had nevt
liked, stood close by it, in earnest conversi
Lion with dark, heavily bearded man ,wl
had joined the train on horseback ie
days before. Both men hastily withdre
on our approach, but not until ! had d,
manded of the driver an explanation of Il
changed position of the wagon, and recei'
ed a nlumbling reply, to the effect that
would be more sheltered from the cool nigl
winds.
"The horses were Embarrassed before
knew it," said Mr.. Scott, my dear one
father; "but perhaps it is as well, after al
for the wind was almost too brisk last nigh
Going Harry2 Well, good nigbrj sorry y
shall not have you for near neighbor t
night, as usual"
A solt goodnight" to Mary,a lingerr
pressure OF the hand, and then, making n
way to my own wagon, crepl in, and Ia
down to sleep at the side Of my trusty do
Rover, whose duty it was 'to keep wat,
and ward" over my property during my d
scence.
Il was long, however, before lost co
sciousness; thoughts of Mary aud her pr
sentiment ofevil To come, kept me ava
until a late hour but when / did fall aisle
ut last, il was INTO sound slumJer lro
which was aroused by yIoleut shake iru
a hand graspiug my shoulder. Tac han
belonged 10 Mary's father, but tue 10
that addressed nae sernled that ola syring'
81 hoarsr, aud shaken, and full "i unsui
was il.
Harry Harry Tor Gods sake, rouse
-rouse up"
In an instant was upon the grouu
Rover at my side, watchiul ani expeclan
"Mary ?" I gasped, for there was SON
thing in the wild, half crazed look OF
man before me-usually go brightand che
'ul-thut chilled the blood in my veins.
"MaY aye, il is ab'ut hsr-she 4
bean abducted. But come" aud he drsgg