The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1881-09-03
GRACE MORTIMER.

More than fifty years ago farmer
named Atwood, widower and childless,
resided on an extensive farm on the bor-
ders of Sherwood Forest, on the Noting
ham road.
His residence was isolated, being two
miles distant from any human habitation;
and he, though now on the verge of three
score years, was as hale and hearty, to
all Appearances as the generality Of men
Mt forty.
He was reputed wealthy, having con-
stantly in his employ some three or four
sturdy field laborers.
at tho time of his wifc's death, and
some two years preceding the incidents
embodied in our story, he had taken
home to reside with him III orphan niece
from Shropshire, named Grace Morti-
mer.
Grace was n young lady of handsome
features and commanding figure, every
expression of her face bespoke intelli-
gence, courage, and decision of charac-
ter; which last qualities were the admi-
ration and boast of the kind old uncle
Farmer Atwood.
The uncle was reputcd wealthy, and q
gang of thieves who had their headquar-
ters in the neighborhood, had moro than
once tried to rob him. On the last oc-
casion they had assaulted the house when
the girl was alone, with some female
servants, but had been repulsed, Grace
who knew how to handle gun, shooting
one Of them in the arm.
From this time forward Farmer At
wood never suffered her to remain be-
hind OH occasions of his visiting the
fairs, without leaving n sufficient number
Of his men to insure her protection; but
oftener he took her with him, thereby
rendering precaution doubly sure.
On one of these occasions at Nothing
ham, Grace made the acquaintance of n
dashing young silversmith, who profess
ed to be carrying on n large business in
Manchester.
He paid the most fattering attentions
to her during the two days they remain
ed at the fair, and finally asked permis-
sion of the uncle to visit them Mt the
farm, which proposition was the more
readily acceded to on account of some
hints thrown out by him in regard to his
own personal wealth nnd family infu-
ence.
Agreeable to arrangements, some two
or three weeks after this, Mr.. Joseph
Pennington. such was the name given
by the Manchester suitor made his APP
pearance. .at the residence of Farmer At
wood, and was cordially received both
by the old gentleman and his niece.
Duripg his stay he made rapid advance
ment in the confidence and esteem of
the family, and used frequently to take
long rambles with Grace through the
adjacent country.
On one Of these occasions they had
extended their walk to the very borders
OF Sherwood Forest, when he turned
suddenly upon her, and with terrible
meaning flashing from his dark eyes,
spoke AZ follows.
"Grace Mortimer, is it possible that 1
am SO changed that you do not recognize
me?"
Grace gazed up into his face with q
vague expression Of alarm, but made no
direct answer to his appeal.
"Look ut nc wretched girl; look at
me well! Look ut this manned arm. tho
work of your hand"
And rolling up his sleeve he displayed
frightful scar just above tho wrist,
where she had shot him.
In an instant the terrible truth flashed
upon the poor girls mind, and with q
ery of helpless terror, such as might
have awakened the pity of q fiond, she
ank swooning Mt the brigand's feet.
Without using the least effort to re-
tore her to consciousness, he caught
her III his arms and bore her into the
forest.
When Grace recovered from her swoon
she found herself in the midst of q rough
company, i'll q low vaulted apartment,
lighted by miserable oil lamp and q
single wax taper.
The room was of ample Dimensions,
and seemed to have boen partially dug
from tho solid limestone rock.
1t was tho shout of triumph which
greeted hor entrance into the cave which
first aroused her TO consciousness, and
rs she laid on the huge bundle of straw
upon which the brigand chief had seen
proper to place her, she could not fail
to catch every word of the. conversation