The Windham County reformer. (Battleboro, Vt.) 1876-1897, 1885-07-10
what mvs,or,ors vay her life was linked to tina,

ulchra solItudes. The light OF the little lantern
attached to bis waist but served to show the
roots and kness rising from the sullen waters
around.
He was already drenched with the white va,
por that hung over all things IKE peii, ana
drlpped from the masses Oh hlistie'oo III 'iio
branches of live-oaks above.
| At last low wall of reeds arosesin the gloom
before him. The lantern showed him narrow
opening through which he began to force his
way. His feet rested no Longer upon roots, but
upon the earth; spongy and wet, It Is true, put
growing more firm at every step. fahtln8 WIN
WEAKNESS, he stopped. Inc isiahu was ioaon-
| A feeling akin to fear then took possession Of
the young man, He was unarmed. 1t the w0-
| man he loved was an accomplish ef that man,
what couG he expect at their hands'
True, she had warned the engineer OF his
danger, and thus, no doubt, had saved many
lives. But this was something o'iIelent ; , he,
| Rothwell, was following them. Would they
not seek to kill him for his hardwood
A deep breath escaped his lips. =,
81 cannot-I will not believe her so vile!
| will risk it." he muttered, at last.
He walked forward as he spoke, and through
the slender, whitish stems Of the young ash
trees that grew there, caught the red CLEAN OF
| light near him.
1t came from the window Of low, dark mass
| a few PAGES distant-the cabin he was seeking.
| At the moment of his seeing it, Rothwell,
heard, or thought he heard-the sound of a
mans angry voice. On tiptoe be stole forward
and, pausing beside the door, almost held his
| breath to listen.
A voice within was speaking-a voice that
caused his heart to leap and thrill. 1t was the
| sweet voice of Clara Ashton, vibrating with
| emotion.
"Kill me y she exclaimed-"kill me, as you
have threatened Of what use is life to me,
| since you have robbed 1t OF every joy care
| little what becomes of me, Donald Vaughan.
Why did you drag me from beneath the wheels
of the engine''
The listener started
Had he not heard that name befores Great
heaven 1t was the maiden name of Clara'S
mother.
Who was Donald Vaughan.
A second voice interrupted his self.question-
ing. The tones were harsh with rage.
"Because was mad. Because l believed
You sdid not know that 1t was who cut the
trestle Had it not been for your accursed in
reference, that man would now be beneath the
ruins of a wrecked train"
An involuntary cry escaped Rothwelps lips |;
it was drowned, however, in the voice OF the
| maiden.
"Wretch' she exclaimed, in accents of hor
ror. "You would nave had the blood of all
those people on your hands simply to crafty
brutal thirst for revenge. Avid yet"-in
low, wailing-aClaude Rothwell would not
have lifted his hand against you had he known.
Was it not enough to come between us and
blast my happiness for ever? Why do you pur-
sue him with your sleepless hatred ?"
The mans voice broke into hoarse and dis
cordant laughter.
al feel the grip of bis fingers on my throat
still. Donald Vaughan never forgets an injury,
Clara. But this is not to the point. You have
not given me your promise.
Claude ROCKWELL, trembling with excitement,
listened intenty.
81 will give YOU none," was the low reply.
Another sound became audible-the sound
of heavy footballs. The man had evidently
drawn nearer to her.
"Take care" he muttered, gratingly.
The hand of ROthwell was on the door, but it
resisted his efforts to open it. 1t was fastened
within.
A Ideep sigh was the only response to the
mans last words.
He spoke again, in voice so fierce and low,
it was like the HIS of reused viper.
"You mean tobetray me, then p
assassin Exclaimed his companion, her
voice ringing muslcally through the hut; 'strike
me kill me The cowardly hand that"
Claude Rothwell, waiting to hear no more,
flung himself against the door.
Her voice was drowned in the sound of the
blow-a blow that burst the door from its fas-
Jennings, and hurled it inward with bang.
Then, swift as deer pale, fierce, blazing
eyed, Claude bounded into the room. -,
"Clara,' hst cried, "who is that man =
He stopped, e g spoke in the cSa.re 2,
figure standing near lie wide fireplace, in which
a pile Of res pine knots were burning:
The light flH &c sse rushed over that figure
like rose-tinsed, q den wave lighting up her
dress, shining her floating hair, cleaning Ia
her great dark eyes.
man who stood at her side, one hand uplltted
above her, his eyes fastened upon her with
dark and threatening glare.
The maiden started back with faint cry at
Rothwell's abrupt entrance.
The man, mfererng deep curse, thrust his
hand into the breast of his coat.
"You!" he trealhed-"you have followed us
here"
Claude did rot heed him. His pale face and
flashing eyes we're still turned toward Clara.
"Who is that man !" he repeated, slowly, IN
a voice of agonized suspense.
A quick, brea.sess cry, an involuntary out.
stretching of her little hands. Then they went
up with rush aud covered her burning cheeks.
40 heaven! Do you not know /? Claude,
| have pity on ne He is mothers only broth
err"
He echoed the faltered words. Horror, sur
prise. ioy. all struggled for the mastery in his
heart and were pictured on his expressive face.
Then deep, triumphant gladness leaped into
his ewes She was his-still, still his own.
For moment he was strengtbless-.of mo-
| ment his danger was forgotten:
She had not forgotten it. The sharp click OF
weapon being cooked caused her to hit her
head.
With a quick movement she glided between
Rothwell and Donald Vaughan; the latter at
the same time Withdrawing his hand from his
breast, the Yellow light gleameo on tne ponsheu
nf mic
lyon have followed me here, Claude Roth
we'll !" repeated the desperate, hoarsely.
The Young man looked at him, aroused at
last to sense OF his danger.
Not you" be answered, colby. 81 am
here, however, to protect her.. - A..
As he said this, Clara s mana closeo Oh tue
arm of Donald Vaughan. ,.
Her frightened, imploring eyes, however,
were turned toward Claude. ,,o, :
ale will kill you! !" she shrieked. ooh, in
heavens name, ! beg you to leave me y!
The appealing cry came too late. Hotnweii
had already advanced on vaughan: Inc ldt-
ter, throwing Clara roughly aside. leveled the
revolver. -,
"It is nv turn now - he exclaimed, with
gutteral lau I'll. as he pulled the trigger
Crash
The sharp report of the pistol and scream
from Clara rang through the room. The shot
was fred so close to- Claude, that his face Tor al
instant was Daii niuuou W 'hS S"i"s "H''e
smoke.
He YVES unhurt, however. At the moment
that Vaurban pulled the trigger, he had sprung
upou him like tiger, knocking up the weapon,
and burning vaughan himself halt across the
room.
Keeling a moment, the wretch bounded for,
ward TO nick ND the pistol which bad dropped
from his hand. But again Claude was too
quick FOR him.
the rush ~ vaughan with q blow that sent
him headlong to the floor.
Rising starceringly, his face bathed in blood,
~; 80 T'i,1a with hatred be looked at the