National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1882-04-01
CHAPTER II.
THE LOVERS,

Back from the main street Of lovely Fairview
stood q substantial stone mansion, whose style of
architecture would proclaim II dwelling OF some
ngc-more after the old ElZabethan pattern
Tho storms of many years had howlcd about Its
ancient gables and chimneys, yet 1t was appar-
entity able to stand the weather Of another century
1t was surrounded by noble growth of oaks and
ccdais and from this latter fact derived It's name
It's demesnes extended far back from the street or
avenue upon which IL stood, embracing in all some
hundred acres Of woodland, merging finally upon
q lower country road upon the shores of Crystal
Lake.
The proprietor of this lordly estate was a rich
New York speculator in Wall, street. by name
Howard Stockwell. The family consisted OF two
children, the mother having died five years prcvi
GUS 10 the opening of this story.
The children were n boy and girl, both now
pretty well matured, especially the former, Ralph
stockwell, who was tall, splendidly proportioned
him, and who held the by no means unimportant
position of presidcntof the Crystal Wave Boat Club
But of all the fur girls in Fairview and there
were not n few, TO tell the truth pretty Minnie
stockwoll was faircr and Gentler than all and the
acknowledged belle of the town.
She was In figure about the average height, but
graceful in her movements which lent additional
charms TO her fnir person. Her complexion was
| light but fresh and rosy, and indicative Of bloom
| ing health.
All the gallants OF arlstocratic Fairylew were
madly infatuated with this beautiful maiden,
who, indeed seemed rs unmndful of the fact
| that she was indeed beautiful as though she were
not reminded of it perhaps hundred times
|
But though wealth, pomp, and beauty paid re-
spectivc homage to her charms, and II was an un.
disputed fact that had the capriclous maiden
so willed she might have made her choice among
the vast company of the young sci0ns Of wealth
who iawned upon her and who woud give
turned from them, and though maintaining her
habitual air Of gentleness, offered no encourage
mcnt
called, only served to draw the luckess yetvnnly-
hoping thTOng of ardent suttors on, only to have
their ambition most cruelty wrecked by some
new and characteristic move of the capricious
maiden.
! This mct finally led disappointed, despairlng
swain who had piled his suit most arduously and
gained signal defeat, which very naturally served
10 make him not very little wrathy and vexed
In spirit, to eNClaim:
by the great horn spoon never since Diana
, was there created such woman. l could have
sworn, a week ago. that was the luckiest and
most favored man In Fairview; but now, ye godsl
I'm the most miserable She is perfect riddle"
, But the riddle was one easily read by prosiac
mind. =.
alluenGe, pretty Minnie StoCkwell had become
} tired and heartily sick OF the vain pomp and dis
play of the wearying society life she led, the
empty compliments and lawniug hattery which
awaited her wherever she went and longed for
that mode Of life which, though humber, was
nevertheless in itself the assurance OF more gen
uine happiness
In truth, she was heart.slck of the present life,
whose drOss was hateful to her, and sighed for n
change, but looked and looked in vain for her
But no, not in vain; for her dreams were almost,
II not fully, realized in one person who dwet in
Fairview-the man whom she assured herself was
Il man,
That was the hero Of this story-impulsye yet
noble hearted Tom Hathaway.
But though Minnie stockweil felt that such n
man she could love and be content TO share liie's
burdens With, yet she was withal possessed OF a
certain degree of dignity and reserve which
served TO keep her from betraylng this fact to MIN
For Tom Hathaway was about the only man in
gay Fairview who had not cast himself before the
shrine which had proved so disastrous TO so many
of the proudest representatives of wealth aud So
ceiy, and this fact had impressed capriclOus Min
ME singularly.
But II was not because Tom had not noticed and
% admired the grand capitalists daughter; no. in
deed, for Tom Hathaway had as true AN eye for q
pretty girl rs any man. but the fact OF there exist
r ing wide gulf between the stations Of the two.
: He was but the penniless scapegraco son, tgur-
ntivcly speaking, of u poor maChtnist, while she
was the daugter Of one of the milOnaires of ars-
tocratic Faryiew-a wide difference in the eyes OF
I society. This was why-namcly the mere fact
that he felt IL would bO hopeless-that had kept
reckless Tom from participating In the tourney Of
t love- and this very thing II was which insured
a him better chance Of becoming winner than any
who had yet cssayed the contest,
0 The proud capitalists daughter was led into
y making him study whenever she met him, and
4 the result convinced her that in handsome YET
penniless Tom there was more of her ideal than
il But, naughty by nature she would not reyea
d this to him, and he, equally naughty despite hi
poverty, ana, indeed, on that very account woule
It Thus tho two lowers for such they were in soul
were kept ~ everlasting loEgerheads state o
: feeling which woud have existed mercy know
r. how long, had II not been for lucky happening
which happily served TO bring about an under
Il standing between them.
y A horseback party had been planned by tht
ladies Of the Crystal Lake Club, aud Tom was on,
n Of the escorts upon certain damsel. by nam'
II Miss Frothingham,
II? Lively and tGlkatiye she proved, and also an ad
| miTHble hOsewOman, managing the high spirited
4, thoroughbred which she rode with skilllul hand
Minnie StOCkwell, with Hartley brandon us AZ
| escort, led the cNYalcade, aud II gay party the!
formed, as, In their bright hunting costumes the!
gelOped across the folds. About Faryicw extend
cd an admirable tract Of country for the hunt Rnt
10 Of this Fairyiew was well aware, and took due ad
vantage,
Their ride upon the present day led out over tn
,r old turnpike 10 Baltimore and though tru
dusty was nevertheless pleasant gallop
After getting well out into the country the part!
IL broke up n couples, some going ahead and som
falling behind.
ofl Miss Fr0thinghAm!was a lively rider ana sool
u Tom innnd himself well In advance OF lhe mall
II party and at part Of the road but mile and
halt from serie, Of steep descenls, INTO What VA
ID called the Devils Gorge Il deep cut between IN
n, hills through which ran foaming torrent,
d suddenly upon the hearing OF the Two smole
l. series OF frightened screams ana ihe hoaFae nan
Of excited men.
u Then the next moment behind them came tn
! thunder Of hOOfs, and ere they could realize tn
nature Of The trouble there leaDed past them VIII