The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1888-09-01
CHAPTER yu.
A LONG DARK RIDE.

AL necessary arrangements having been
completed, Allen Gray left his ofice, and
passing through the dark, silent village,
entered the old, lOngdeserted turnpike.
Pausing on the. hilltop he instinctively
gazed down on Turkeys Point, now buried In
slumber lie almost wished that he could
run away from the tolls and vexations that
had harrassed him ever since that morning
when the steamer brought him 20 the land.
ing. Oh, % be free from the bitter envy and
!ealousies which were blighting the village.
He was engaging In mysterious under.
taking, and really knew no cause FOR the
Journey. Hating a second time on his way
up the hill, he said:
"Why am goingi Her conduct has been
very unnatural from the first and / may be
following the mad rawlings Of = lunstic. But
no-there is some powerful cause that In-
duced her 10 ask my assistance in this. That
afflicted child is very dear 70 her. promised
aid in taking him 20 place Of safety, and
viii keep my promise even though the
heavens fall
Vending his way along the road, now al.
most oyergrOwn with weeds and bushes, he
felt 4 recurrence Of that superstitious dread
which had almost overcome him on former
occasion. He vainly fought against IL, yet,
by more than superhuman power, he man.
aged 10 keep his feelings In subjection.
AT last the spring was reached, and he
found the horse tied as had been rep
resented. The noble animal, as II aware OF
the journey before him, stamped In his E1-
patience 20 be on the road.
He unfastened the horse, and, vaulting In
the saddle, the spirited animal, as light and
free as the woodland breeze, fitted along
the dark winding path 10 the turnpike.
-, ,1.txa
ly wrapped up that he could not al first dis
tngush its features, came up 10 him. Bend
ing low in his saddle, Allen lifted the little
boy 10 the horses back and seated the
child before him. The old negro woman,
thrusting into his hand "A sealed note. mur-
INJURED the name OF Ndd>moiselk Camiue.
"Am 20 give her thisp he asked.
"Oui, monsieurm she answered.
" Too bad, too bad ~ said Allen, thrusting
the note into his pocket, as his horse started
down the road. Every one connected with
this confounded mystery Is either dumb or
speaks some foreign language except
Bertha, who refuses 10 reveal any thing"
The child proved TO be u very patient little
fellow, and sat silently in front OF Allen.
Fearing that some OF tho villagers ight be
awake and that they would see him, Allen,
after cantering gaily down the old turn
pike 10 the bottom Of the hill, turned aside
and rode around Turey's Point, entering
the road two miles beyond IL.
Knowing his danger he became quito
nervous. Every sound emitted from tina.
dark wood he construed into pursuer.
From those dark recesses he seemed 10 ever
sec the frightfully stern visagc Of the tail,
dark man at the chateau The demoniacal
smile Of triumph on his dark visage bode no
good 10 the horseman and his young charge.
The face followed him everywhere. IL
pecred at hun from the fence corners, or
hcdgc-rows,o or the orchard beyond Wherever
be went that revengcful face followed him.
Down long lane, through forest, across
bridge and upa hill the noble steed, bearing
his double burden, gallopcd The child was
30 still and quiet that Allen thought he must
be asleep 1t was not until he attempted 10
change his position that he found him