Frostburg mining journal., 1883-11-10
curity of your Fortress" he answered
sand then we will speak of rest"

sand then we will speak of rest"
He approached the further end Of
the cavern, to an outlet, which, like
the Others, was concealed by blankets;
and removing the thick screen,
breathed the fresh and reviving air
from the cataract. One arm of the
river flowed through deep, narrow
ravine, which its current had worn
in the soft rock, directly beneath
his feet, forming an effectual defence,
as he believed, from any danger from
that quarter; the water, few rods
above them, plunging, glancing and
sweeping along, in its most violent
manner.
"Nature has made an impenetrable
barrier on this side" he continued,
pointing down the perpendicular
declivity into the dark current, be-
fore he dropped the blanket; sand as
you know that good men and true
are on guard in front, | see no
reason why the advice of our honest
host should be disregarded. am
certain Cora will join me in saying
that sleep is necessary to you BOTH"
"Cora may submit to the justice
of your opinion, though she cannot
put it in practice" returned the
elder sister, who had placed herself
by the side of Alice, on couch Of
sassafras; "there would be other
causes to chase away sleep, though
we had been spared the shock of this
mysterious noise. Ask yourself,
Hayward, can daughters forget the
anxiety father must endure, whose
children lodge, he knows not where
or how, in such wilderness, and in
SO many perils.'
"He is soldier, and knoWs how
to estimate the chances of the woods.H
"He is u father, and cannot deny his
nature"
"How kind has he ever been to all
my follies! how tender and indulgent
to all my wishes" sobbed Alice. ave
have been selfish, sister, in urging
our visit at such hazard"
81 may have been rash in pressing
his consent in moment of such en-
barassment, but l would have proved
to him, that however others might
neglect him in his strait, his child
rem at least were faithful"
"When he heard of your arrival at
Edward" said Hayward, kindly,
"there was a powerful struggle in
his bosom between fear and love;
though the latter, heightened, if
possible, by SO long a a separa-
ton, quickly prevailed. 1T is the
spirit of my noble Cora that leads
them, Duncan he said, 'and | will
not balk it. Would to God that
he who holds the honor of our royal
master in his guardianship, would
show but half her firmness.'
"And did he not speak of me, Hey
ward ?" demanded Alice, with jealous
affection. Surely, he forgot not
altogether his little Elsie?"
"That were impossible" returned
the young man; she called you by q
thousand endearing epithets that /
may not presume to use, but to the
justice of which | can warmly testify.
Once, indeed, he said"
Duncan ceased speaking !; for while
his eyes were riveted on those of
Alice, who had turned towards him
with the eagerness of filial affection,
to catch his words, the same strong,
horrid cry, as before, filled the air,
and rendered him mute. A long
breathless silence succeeded, during
which, each looked ut the others in
fearful expectation of hearing the
sound repeated. At length the
blanket was slowly raised, and the
scout stood in the aperture with a
countenance whose firmness evil
IDENTIFY began to give way before
mystery that seemed to threaten
some danger, against which all his
cunning and experience might prove
of no avail.
Srr urIND xrII