The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1881-04-09
Written for the Free Trader.
A NIGHT OF HORROR.
BY DIR. sTEINwAY.
CHAPTER I.


trees. some one, some two and Others perhal
three hundred years old, stood a lordly man
s,on of stone equal in dimensions and streng,l
~ so,ne of the ieudal castles Of the Old World
when every great mansion WAS stronghold
bu,l, both for comfort and security. Slurd,
William Baltimore R.eiph had built thi
Formidable mansion IN an early day of Vii
gina. history and II had descended unim
haired 10 his grandson Walter Baltlmor
r .leigh, himsel II true type Of the old Vir
einia gentleman. Mr.. Walter r. was tall, re
bust, handsome but fast, under high living, be
coming corpuent. Maiam Raleigh was tai
aud oueenly. with faxen hair and a portll
person. Their only son. Dagobert Wale
Raleigh was now merch mt in the city o
Baltimore and doing a flourishing business
There only remained in the family tho young
Is, of three daughItrs, Ethel by name, and few
servants. Mr. Raleigh clung to his fav0ri''
grey hound Bruno aud five or six hunters ant
still occasionally the hills and valleys rang
with the hunters horn and the bay OF tht
vide. mou,hed hounds. But now Is is mid
winter, or rather near the close OF the memOr
able winter OF 1888. winter OF deep snow
and terrible foods. For many long month.
the snow had covered woo Hand and moor
with many feel Of snow anil now on the ED
of February, day of pride to the Union
70 especially 81 10 the Old Dominion, the
warm sun had melted portion Of the snow
and the mo lntaln rlls, SO delightful IN the
summ,r season, were turned into angry floods.
A. the day drew near its close Lady
K hcl, wrapped ina navy blue nantel, with
her wealth of dark hair flowing to her waist,
stood for u few moments on The highest battle
ments Of the old castle, for such it may BE-
called, and gazed fAedly far off down TIT
valley towards the east. l: was the seventh
time since the old clock in the great hall had
proclaimed the hour Of high noon II WAS
evident that she WAS expecting some one; and
AS the sun was fast descending to his gorgeous
rest among the golden clouds she shaded her
eyes with one hand and seemed to strive with
mighty will to penetrate the deepening gloom
that WAS fast gathering IN the valley below.
AT length, disappointed, she turned away and,
not deigning II glance at the glorious sunset
she exclaimed: "lie will not come today"
and slowly descended the rugged stairway.
She sought her father III the library and
falling at his feet, placed her arms upon hi.
knees and allowed her beautiful head to drop
upon his manly breast, while her countenanCe
denoted great sadness.
my darling, you are sadly disappointed
this evening aud would almost give my good
right arm If our friend Richard Bradcn had
arrived. know the roads are fearful and the
way Is long but there Is not IA more gallant
rider in all Virginia than Dick Brad n nol
u purer bred mare than Rosa Lee in the stat,
and somehow | fancy tht Dick is on the
way aud that ere night falls he will have
sounded his hunters horn III the valley below
and viii come riding up tho slope on his gal
liant hay"
You are eyer hopeful. father. and generally
your cheerful voice and hopeful words give
me comfort; but tonight they cannot arouse
me and feeling of gloom and deep despond-
ency has taken entire possession Of my
bosom" And the after q moments silence
,hc raised her head aud with her earnest dark
eyes fixed upon her fathers sympathizing
lace she cried softly: Papa, l am your
youngest daughter, am not?"
Yes; and my pet and my pride and my
baby, darling" And he folded his darling
Ethel to his fond bosom.
mo; not your baby any longer bu, your
grown up daughter and now truly engaged 10
The handsomcst cavalier in the genial city OF
Baltimore"
Yes, yes; that Is even So" And Mr., Raleigh
held his daughter al arms length as If to sur
vey her womanly beauty. "And now what is
il, for know you have "a favor TO ask 2"
at Ia this, dear father, that you will send
Archie and Abe AS far as the village and al
low them to wait until seven o'clock TO see il
Richard came and escort him through the
gorge and tour house"
81 will do 1t. my pet, and that this instant"
And Mr.. Raleigh rang bell near at hand
Betsy, the maid put in her appearance.
Betty, tell Archie TO come to me-
"Yes, sir" And in few moments Archie,
, tall, bony darby with the wool clinging
closely to his small round head and with cap
lnder his arm, opened tho door with;
"Here, massa"
"Arcale, do you and Abe mount two of our
,urest footed horses and go down to Chester
md wait at the hOstelry until seven O'Clock.
md If Master Dick Bradcn arrives you can
guide him through the gorge and up by Old
Dams TO the mansion. Now, look out, boy,
ion't taste Fen,on's rum and you shall have a
good drink of cognac, each Of you, when you
'tturn; and If you bring Master Richard or
my news of HIM think n certain young lady
belonging to these premises will have some