The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1888-02-24

The summer days dragged their slow
length along Eustace Dare had been
gone nearly i week. One intensely hot
day pilcl the heavens with lurii threat
enin--lo1Ging clouds Shortly after sun
set the tempest burst in all It's fury.
Vivid flashes OF lightning stream Il
athWart th- inSy sky, the thunl.r rolrel
like giant artillery, the rain frll in tor
rents driven before furious wind. Tn
able to sleep, Daisy sat in the shabby
froat room with old Deb covering brSidn
hrr. Su III .nlV there came an intensely
VIVID flash OF lightning that seemed t.
run along every visible object like Il luriI
tongue OF fire; il was followed instantly
b. dnairuing peal OF thunder. anl
something crashed before the door, shak-
ing the little hut TO its foundation.
The old elm has been struck - cried
Deb.
"lIark." exclaimed Daisy, springing to
her feet.
The sound that had startled her cam,
again tp her ears, faint, moaning cry as
OF someone in pain. Her first thought
was OF her husband. She rushed to the
door and flung ii wide open. The lamp
light streaued forth into thu darkness.
She saw Al 4 glance that the old elm
growing before the door bore the Sclthimy
marks OF the E.htnIug's course. and some
OF its bouShs lay shattered upon the
ground.
Another look and 4 white face gleam2I
palc!y from the solden grass. \ man
lay there In the drenchiug rain, why.r.
hc had fallen, stricken down by one Of
the DrONen limbs. Not Eustace Dare
hut = stranger. Daisy forgot her hus-
band 5 warning. ThruS,in. Dcb's de-
tanning han aside, she rushed out into
the pcltIng storm, swayc by one oi those
generous Impulses that make woman
gentle natur. all divine.
Help" she cried, tugging at the fallen
boush that lay across his bD-ly.
Deb came reluctantly. II seemed ages
before they succeeded in eNtricatin.s the
man, and cot him into the house He
sank iaintiug into the nearest ch lir
Deb gave Il sort oi shrek ~ the lamp
light shonr full upon his face.
Richard Langley :"
Then she drew back a few PAGES,
t-cmbliny ike a wind-shakcn leaf.
You know this man ~ Daisy sail.
coming close To- her. 4 vague terror taking
away her breath. NO one ever comes
in this direction. What brings him here
tonight 2'
Fate, the old woman replied with
snothered groan.
Daisy was frightened by the expression
OF her face. But the time Tor curious
questioning hal not come Between
r"Ons AMI rs~jgr,ttIy-S were brought.
Some tme elapsed before he showed
signs Of returning CO--scIOISurSS. III,
eyes opened ~ last An int -n-a liE..t
came into them Is they rested on D.iSy's
fIcn-
"Eulalie, They told me you were
dead. hr whispered
1 he -Irl looked II Deb.
Poor man his mind wInle
'iIu~h -
Those dark eyes were still closely 8 an
ming her face There was something
mcsmcrIc in tlat gaze. Daisy had a sin
gular feeling that the strangers fate an
her own would %. more or less Intimately
lntcrwOvcn- Gradually the bcwIlIrrri
expression faded from his features a..I I
smile cr-p, ahogt the mUstachea lips i
smile OF winning sweetness that at one.
dazzled the susceptible girl, and made lcI
long 10 fee.
Il have made a mistake. You are
not Eulaile- She Is dead. She would
be old enough to be your mother, il
living. Perhaps" with Il swift, intense
look, that Is the relationship she really
bore TO YOU
Daisy shook her head.
Il don't know what you mean. I never
heard the name before"
1t can I be an accidental resemblance"
he muttrcl.
Then suddenly he turned to Deb.
you know. Why don't You tell
me - he cried. This girl has not long
Lcen an inmata OF Your hut. Who anl
what Is She Can 1t be tAat-tnat Eu-
STAGE -
lie stopped short, as though overcome
by some startling thought.
The old woman grew very pale. Sh,
saw him stretch forth his haui suddenly
d.
dragged Daisy i1rci5ly mo the aGjoiuin,
room, ami clos ii the intervening door.
Keep away from that man. she
pautct hoarsc.v. As You value vour
pace and happiness, do not let Eu~taco
DLT- find you in hiS presence. There IS
bad blopi between them"
She sIid no more. All Daizv's efforts
wer. powcrless TO win another word
from her lips.
The gray morning found her sitting
pailid AMI llstlesS in the outer room. Oh
Deb WAS passing in ana ont 1T the o. Il
door engaged IN her usual ayocatiouS
But there WAS troubled Ioosl on her vel
low old face. The terrible storm vi the
night WAS over.
At las. step sounded outside. Eustacc
pare's broad shoulders seemed t. rise out
of the Wet ti3ickcts where dilnanI drops
were glittsriug in the mornin. sunlight
llaisy's heart gave a great b)Ind- III r
husband had returned IN .Npect,dly;
but she did not rush forth 70 meet .Inl
welcome him. She attempted u 10 80.
but an iron hand seemed 10 mold her
back.
old Deb was the first 10 grasp his
hand. She utterel a few wOr Is IN ! sup
pressed vOic.- EustIce's brow d2Tkene,l
- he listene I, and with on. long STRIFE
he was IN the rooaI, looking down II iis
pallid, wondering bride.
Cone he said, hi- fingers closing like
iron bands upon her wrist. This II no
place Tor yOu, Daisy Where are your
wraps -
Not 4 kiss, not even a loving word af-
ter that long separation, lie stool be
side her white aS death, with Il lIrId
light IN his handsome eyes.
nob brought her hat ami shawl Daisy
made no I. sIStancc IS she WAS hurried
through tn open door, past the debris of
tn lightning shattered elm. and 20 Oh TO
the cool, green wool. She felt mOrc
cUr.oCs than frightened They bal
walked some distance before Eustace
lOoSci - or spoke TO her again.
You have the locket Daisy? ,"
'>he drew II from her boron, holding
II up IN the shimmering green light that
sIit-d through the forest arches
The young man stopped short, AMI
with a sudden low CIV drew her close to
his fast throbbing hear
NY darl!n-, my darling, No one
shall come between Us now. i could nos
bear IT."
w hat can part Us, EuStace? Am I
not your wife =" she asked wondering y.
half smothered by the violence OF rhc
C.lnesS
Then they went on again. 4 litt'c vii
lase lay low down in the valley ri1ht be-
fore them. To the right stool q lar-c.
ol fashioned mansion, lis hippcl roo,
hroScn by dormer windows / fine old
place with 4 carved Intel over the door
way, and and air OF aristocratic rcpose
hanging about il
"Ne are going there" said EuSta-.
with a gesturs in the direct;oa OF lh
house.
They lett the iray-ant wood behind