The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1888-12-05
LAMBERTvILLE NJ. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 1888.

terrible experience the people hereabouts
nave had with the creatures. Why, it was
only two years ago that Donald Stuart's
daughter was attacked on Vutures Nest by
two OF the vile creatures, and before help
could reach her she was so terribly torn
about the face as to be disfgured for life. It's
never safe to venture up there unarmed, for
even yeti
piercing shrek, followed by another and
another, here rent the air, and the three men
simultaneously started to their feet. Once
more that terrible cry for help rang out.
My Godln shouted Macleod 'J.atras
voicel The Vulture's Nestp'
With blanched faces the men hurriedly
grasped their rifles and dashed off toward
the spot whence tho cries seemed to come
Suddenly, as they issued from a thick under
growth, terrible sight burst upon them.
Far above, on an overhanging rock, her
figure clearly outlined against background
OF azure, anguish depicted in every line of
her face, stood Laura Macleod, while above
her circled an immense vulture, the uncanny
neck outstretched and the small eyes spar
king with greedy expectation.
The men stood spellbound, and then with
shout, Chester led the way up tho incline
his eyes fixed on the girl he had learned to
love SO well. At that very moment the mon
ster ceased circling about its victim and pre-
pared for attack. Just as it poised itself for
ITS last fatal swoop, the sharp report Of a
rue rang out ON the still air, and the creature
Leil dead at the feet of its intended victim.
Inc next momenta man emerged from the
snfuDpery near by, with rife, still smoking,
traihng after him. He ran to the now pros
trate girl, and, kneeling beside her. chafed
wrictS al
hask. By this time Chester and his two COM
panions, breathless and speeches. reached
the spot where Laura lay.
"How can l thank you. sirl You hive
saved my darling's life," cried Mr., Macleod.
sobbing with joy.
Loura soon returned to consciousness. and
Chester explained to her what had taken
place. During the excitement that followed
her strange savior was entirely forgotten.
When, however, they had regained calmness,
they found that he had disappeared as silently
and suddenly as he had come. They searched
the surrounding ground for some trace OF
him. but without avail.
IL is needless to state that no more sketch
ing was INDUCED in that day.
One evening, week after the adventure
on Vulture's Nest, our friends were all con-
gregated in the drawing room at Bonnie
fark when servant made his appearance
WIN the announcement that man had
called and desired to see Mr.. Macleod. The
Old gentleman Immediately rose and followed
Benjamin out OF the room. Soon his voice
was heard In the hail extending q hearty
welcome to his visitor, and the next moment
ne fe-entered the room arm and arm with
none other than their elusive friend of the
Vultures Nest incident. He was a remark
able looking man, tall and erect in carriage.
with sad, handsome face, golden brown
beard and deep blue, penetrating eyes.
Laura thanked him with her own sweet
simplicity, and Chester and Macleod were
loud in praise of his GOODNESS and bravery.
Hal stood little aloof from the group and
concentrated his gaze on its central figure.
For him the stranger had an inexplicable
fascination.
After they had thanked him to their hearts
content the stranger made known the object
Of his visit He had found locket ON the
scene of the encounter, and thinking one OF
the party must have lost it took the first on
portunity TO return the trinlset-a small.
oddly shaped affair, on seeing which Hal ex-
claimed:
MY locketl You have made me your
debtor, sir, for prize this trinket very highly
1t was gift from my father to my mother
before | was born"
The stranger started slightly and death
like pallor overspread his face
Would you have any objection to my see
ing the interior of that locketgn
Hal looked surprised, but silently opened
the trinket and presented 1t to the stranger
The hitter gave hasty glance at the pict-
urc within and started back, almost drop
ping the locket as he did so.
81 beg your pardon for my awkwardness
And is this picture of your mother7n
"Yes, taken short time after her mar
riage,n answered Hal.
Strange, strangel" muttered the other.
"Can it be mere coincidence No, it is inn
possible! Loving sir, l know not who you
ara, but the picture you have shown me is
that Of my wife,
'Your wifel" gasped Hal.
"Yes; she is dead. She and an only child
were killed in railway accident"
Hal turned CHASTITY pale. 1t flashed through
his mind that his mother and he once had
narrow escape from death in q railway acci-
dent soon after his fathers demise. A start
ling suspicion was dawning on his mind. In
an unnatural voice he spoke
"Have you undoubted proof That they
were really killed in that accidentgn
The stranger took from his pocket a time
stained newspaper. He pointed silently to a
paragraph describing fatal railway col
lision; and there, in the list Of dead, Hal saw
"Mrs. Julia Moore, widow, and her baby
boy, Halstead Mooren
The paper dropped from the young mans
lifeless hands,
''My God! man, what is your Manner ho
cried.
The strangers face was white with sup
pressed excitement as he answered.
archibald Moore"
''Father, p cried Hal, ~ am Halstead Moore,
your sonr'
The next moment the father and son were
locked in their first embrace.
But little more remains to be told A week
later the husband and wife whom fate had
SO cruelty torn asunder were once again
united and happy.
Some months after, in quaint little Scotch |
church double wedding ceremony was per-
formed. Laura Macleod changed her name |
for that Of Chester Lawrence and Helen |
Thornedale became the happy wife Of Hal
stead Moore.