Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1884-03-29
gesture for silence, and slid down
with the utmost precipitation.

'HI 10 ioiS, HC "HioPCiSo, anu
by that door you will find her.
| would have spoken a word of COM
fort to the afflicted soul; but the
sight of such a monster might upset
her reason. Though for that matter,
major, you are none Of the most in
viting yourself in your paint"
Duncan, who already sprung eager
ly forward, drew instantly back on
hearing these discouraging words.
cam I, then, SO revolting?' he de-
manded, with an air of chagrin.
"You might not startle a wolf, or
turn the Royal Americans from a
charge; but l have seen the time
when you had better favored look.
Your streaked countenances are not
ill-judged of by the squaws, but
young women of white blood give
the preference to their own color.
See, he added, pointing to a place
where the water trickled from a rock,
forming little crystal spring before
it found an issue through the adjacent
crevice ; "you may easily get rid of
the Sagamore's daub, and when you
come back l will try my hand at a
new establishment. It's as common
for a conf jurer to alter his paint as for
a buck in the settlements to change
his finery."
The deliberate woodsman had lit
tie occasion to hunt for arguments to
enforce his advice. In moment the
youth appeared in the lineaments
with which he had been gifted by
nature. Thus prepared for an inter-
view with his mistress, he took a
hasty leave of his companion, and
disappeared.
Duncan had no other guide than
distant glimmering light, which
served, however, the office of polar
star to the lover
"Duncan!" she exclaimed, in
voice that seemed to tremble at the
sounds created by himself.
"Alice!w he answered, leaping
carelessly, among trunks, boxes, arms
and furniture, until he stood at her
side.
81 knew that you would never de-
sert me-" she said, looking up with a
glow on her otherwise detected counte-
nance. "But You are alone! CRATE
full, as it is to be thus remembered, l
could wish to think you are not en-
tirely alone"
Duncan observing that she trem-
bled in manner which betrayed her
inability to stand, gently induced her
to be seated while he recounted those
leading incidents which it has been
our task to record.
"And now, Alice" he added, "you
will see how much is still expected of
you. By the assistance of our exper-
fenced and invaluable friend, the
scout, we may find our way from this
savage people, but you will have to
exert your utmost fortitude. Remem-
ber that you fly to the arms of your
venerable parent, and how much his
happiness, as we'll as your own, de-
pends on those e1ertions."
"Can / do otherwise for father
who has done so much for me Z"
"And for me too," continued the
youth.
'This is neither the place nor the
occasion to detain you with selfish
Wishes" he added but what heart
loaded like mine would not wish to
cast its burdens? They say misery
is the closest of all ties; our common
suffering in your behalf left but lit
tie to be explained between your
father and myself"
Sand dearest Cora, Duncan; sure
ly, Cora was not forgotten
"Not forgotten! no, regretted, as
woman was seldom mourned before.
Your venerable father knew no differ
ence between his children; but l.
Alice, you will not be offended when
say, that to me, her worth was in a
degree obscured-"
"Then you knew not the merit of
my sister," said Alice, Withdrawing
her hand "of you she ever speaks
us of one who is her dearest friend"
81 would gladly believe her such,' >
returned Duncan, hastily; 81 could
wish her to be even more; but with
you, Alice, | have the permission OF
your father to aspire to still nearer
and dearer tie"
Alice trembled violently, and there