Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-01-07
Gales ano Skettbes.
HOW CHERRY rHOUGnr OF 1T.
Continued from Yesterday

her theory, glanced at the corner toward
which he nodded. Unusual finery, indeed.
with its rich velvet and silver mountings.
was that luxurious carriage. She walked
over and examined it more closely: and
presently when some men from the back
part of the shop came forward 10 talk with
Uscle Nat. she entered it-partly to be
secure from observation and undisturbed
in her thoughts, partly, also, with halt
acknowledged desire 10 see if II would
.seem natural TO her. What sense of
wealth and comfort there was in the very
nesting down among the cushions
She pillowed her head ON the velvet.
and looked out at the blackened walls OF
the old shop. lit up by the fire CLEANS
here and there-the glowing furnace. the
red-hot iron and the sparks from the an' IL
like spray from some fountain OF fire.
The place looked like some dark cavern
in that half light: and the two or three
figures with bare briwny arms and %rlmy
faces. grew shadowy and weird Is they
moved to and fro. The grey daylight
must be fading fast. but she could not go;
the rain was still falling steadily. and
even while she wished for its cessation its
sound lulled her into pleasant iancies.
With her ewes fixed on the fiery bed of
the furnace there came visions of far-otl'
volcanoes. and lakes @leamin" III iurid
light. Then in strange contrast. arose
snow-tipped peaks. and beautiful cities
with the old-world sunlight upon them.
The hammering of the slcdges grew FAINT
and low-so low and distant that she
could hear the music from grand old
cathedral organs. After that she became
a very Wandering jew, travelling across
drearv deserts. and through valleys like
the garden of Eden: over continents and
oceans, on. and still on Tor liic,imes.
TIE f:urest scenes grew old, and her eager
feet weary. but they had no power 10
pause At last prison walls shut her III.
and STAYED her wanderngs for little.
II would be hut a little time she knew :;
they would begin again with her release,
and even now the bolts and bars were
sliding back.
With the sound of opening doors Cherry
started up and looked around her-or
tried to look. for she was in darkness.
She felt cautiously tor the stone walls OF
her cell, and touched only velvet. Slow
" she comprehended. She was still in
Miss Fosilby's carriage, she must have
fallen asleep there. No one had known it.
and they had gone away and left her lock
ed in the blacksmths shop tur the night.
How late was it 1t had seemed long
time in her dreaming. But had 1t been
all a dream for there came again the
sound of IN opening door
Could any one be coming for her. Tn
Gle Nat had surely not known where she
was. or he would not have left her? and
Aunt Barbara would think of her as hav-
inc sought shelter from the rain in the
house of some friend. But the sound of
footsteps near the door was unmstakeable.
and she heard voices in whispered con-
sultation Then the steps drew cautiously
nearer. and paused beside the carriage.
This is it," affirmed an unfamiliar
voice.
Make sure" was answered in a low
tone
There was Il moments pause. then Il
match was was struck. famed up for an
instant. and was quickly extinguished.
BY its brief light Cherry caught only a
glimpse of several heads she discovered
no one clearly. But the strangers were
apparently satisfied that they had found
the object of their search. There was a
muttered "All right and the carriage
was slowly turned around.
.sSteadv now make no noise.' was
whispered warningly. and the carriage
was drawn carefully forward, out OF the
shop into the road.
Another momeutary pause occurred, as
if some of the party had gone back to
close the door. Cherry, still crouched
low on the seat. and discovered that the
rain had ceased. and through the window
caught CLEAN of stars. She feared TO
raise her head for any further observa-
tons lest she should be discovered as
frightened and bewildered. she tried to
comprehend her situation. 1t was par
ticuarlv unpleasant one. The carriage
had evidently been stolen, and she was
bein" borne away in it. she knew not
whittier or by whom. These persons.
aware of its unwonted presence in Uncle
Mats shop. and coveting its silver trap
pings. perhaps. had seized the opportunity
to steal it, never dreaming that 1t had an
occupant If they should find her there
Cherry shuddered at the thought Of it.
Those who could commit such a crime
would scarcely hesitate to conceal it at the
cost of one frail life wholly at their mercy
How utterly in their power she was. she
realized more fully as the carriage rolled
on again-Miss Fosilby's Injurious car
riage, but it could scarcely have seemed
more terrible had it been hangman's
cart bearing how to certain execution.
She leaned forward with athonght of call
ing for help. but who would hear her ex-
cept those whom she most dreaded? Then
came a wild impulse to spring from the
moving vehicle and attempt to escape :;
but that also was abandoned rs futile, and
sank back to wait the issue in trembling
suspense.
1t might be miles before they reached
their destination. but, if nothing betrayed
her presence before daylight must surely
reveal it. How many hours would there
be first? Oh. if they only knew Aunt
Barbara. Uncle Nat or John-poor John !,
How he would wonder and search. Would
he ever know? she wondered. She hall
forgot herself in a strange pity for him.
That ''little home" she had spoken of only
last night could never be now. And she
could have made it such bright little
nook. Life was very sweet-even the old
homely work and ways that she viewed
so scornfully that day; and if hers were
to end now-so fearfully-the gilt and
glamour it had missed mattered little, but
truth and loyo ~ M; .ybt have bal x-or..