The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1881-04-09

lgOOd hearty squeeze. And Aunt Phcbc pressed
a motherly kiss upon the forehead Of hel
. dear CHILE" while with her broad palms she
| smoothed the glossy locks.
Aunt Phebe, am very sad tonight, and
my poor weak heart is torn into little bits with
fear am almost sure that some evil has
overtaken Richard"
| you must keep up q brave heart darling
dc way IL long and berry bad. Massa Richard
generally gets here by eleven o'clock when dc
roads am good, but now he cannot come before
eight oclock-nine hours extra Is none too
much for de bad roads and broken bridges
Howsomeber. he'll be In Chester by seven and
do boys will fotch him safe home know. So
keep dc FIRE bright--a light IN de east window
towards de valley, and pretty smile on dem
dsmasky cheeks and Massa Richard will be
here to kiss all dose troubleous tears away"
And Miss Ethel went to the drawing room to
see to the FIRE; but Betty had piled on oak
sticks and placed the pine, fresh from their
native woods, beneath and the blaze was dane.
ing merriy up the broad chimney.
Ethel gazed at this bright fire a moment
and then sOliloqulzed rs follows: Certainly
that Is inviting enough for king" And then
glancng at large old fashioned mirror she
surveyed a tall symmetrical figure, very dark
eyes and blooming cheeks. And" continued
the fair sol,loquizer, can he find a warmer
welcome anywhere than that young lady is
willing to accord to him." Then she exam.
med the tall brass candlestcks. But every.
thing was IN order and readiness The smooth
wax candles were In their places at each end
of the marble mantle and few carefully twist.
oil lamplighters lay snugly on the snufIer
tray Betty is a jewel and ] hope she may
never feel such anxiety about her lover as
feel tonight about mine" Then, as it was
growing dark, she rang for Betty and gave her
the following Instructions;
betty, wish you would I'll anew the great,
lamp In the tower and when 1t is quite dark
light it that 1t may shine out as beacon light
to any beatcd travellers. You understand,
Betty"
ayes, Miss don't put it apast me TO do it,
just as you say"
| CHAPTER III.
Richard Braden, mounted on the back of
his fleet and trusty mare Rosa Lee and accom-.
panied by one servant, left Baltimore and law
hooks for ride of seventy miles into the
country to visit his lady love. He went on
horse back for the simple reason that no rail
road had rs yet penetrated to the vicinity OF
Chester, and stage coach travelling was out OF
the question, the U. s. mail being transported
on horseback owing to the deep snow. For
twenty five miles the roads were pretty good
for Virginia winter, the next twenty five
niles were terrible and the following thirty
miles we're simply horrible. First came snow,
then snow and mud and lastly high water anu
broken bridges. 1t was the afternoon of the
third day and Master Rlcha ID and his servant,
plodded along with weary steps. Richard
mediated how in the bright summer time it
was his wont to be at Mr.. Raleighs by noon
of the third day and at this very hour IN de
ightful discourse with the hosts lovely daugh
ter. He had left the man with the mall with
whom he had travelled short time TAR III the
rear; yet many weary mile interviewed be.
tween HIM and the bright vision that his ready
imagination has just conjured up. However,
Richard possessed an indomitable resolution,
!, roadster Of splendid nerve and Pam, his
servant, was web mounted and the prize was
4 ricn and entIcing one. Therefore, speaking
cheerily to his servant TO follow, he struck out
with renewed couiagel and accelerated pace.
But the sun declined rapidly behind the lofty
mai ;tnI . hn bait lin
rents for the last time Ri hard was twelve
miles away; and at dark nine miles were still
intervening between the young man and what
he held most dear on earth. BY seven O'Clock
he was within six miles Of his destlnatl IN; but
Il was nov quite dark indeed and the servant
and his master had each to carry q lantern TO
show them the pcrll0us way. Here the road
WAS partially washed away and If care was not
taken the riders would find themselves tum
bling headong down the mountain side. Again
for mile The road wound along thevalley close
by rapid stream of unknown depth. Again
they rounded the side of another spur close
bordering ON fearful precipices. At length by
nine O'Clock the welcome lights of the village
If Chester burst suddenly upon their view.
Riding up to the door and calling aloud Rich
ard was informed that Mr. Raleigh's servants
had LETT an hour before, having despaIred of
his arrival on that evening.
The portly landlord invited Richard to
lalight and take some refreshments but he dc
chned, asking only for a glass of WINE each
for himself and his servant, and they plunged
once more into the darkness. A ride of q mil,
brought them to the crossing Of the mountain
nll, rs Richard remembered 1t on his last visit
1t now came down between tho mountains