Frostburg mining journal., 1889-05-04

tx room of an antiluated
"&>but pretentious mansion,
located on the lake shore
few miles from the city of Chicago,
and hidden by heavy vines in the gar
den below darkeycd man of sinister
face was watching her.
His surveillance was apparently un-
suspected. for the maiden seemed ab-
sorbed in her task and her rich color
came and went MS she read the few
lines she had written in low, shy
tone, sweet and mellow as golden beads
dropped into a crystal dish.
my love-" it read simply, "Our
dream is ended! For the last time,
meet me at the trysting place Raven
Cliff
1t was directed Victor" and it was
signed "Adricnne." She folded the
note over and over, until it was small
and compact as a lozenge. Then she
took up piece of narrow silk ribbon,
secured it round and round tine missive,
leaving the long ends free, and went to
n wicker cage in which, pecking at the
bars as if pining and fretting for liber-
ty, was a snow-white dove of perfect
plumage.
1t tluttered, yet fingered in her grasp
as she gently drew it from the cage and
attached the note to its neck by secur-
ing the ribbon about it. Then she ca
ressed it and set it free, with the sigh
ing words:
"Take kiss to my own, swift mes
senger-the last mission of n hopeless
love-"
She saw the carrier dove pierce TIE
ether, straight winging its flight into
the face of the dazzling sun, watched
it a speck beyond thicket and dale, and
then, leaning her fair head on the TIA
BILE, wept aS if her heart would break
"Confu>ion!" A fierce, kissing anath
ema ground ont by the lurking spy in
the shrubbery below. The word
seemed to express the pent-up hatred
and rage of baffied chagrmed plot
ter.
$50 this is her means of commune
eating with the man I hate!" went ON
the harsh, grinding voice. "Locks and
bribed servants do not avail-love
laughs at obstacles! Shall | tell he1
father of tbs? No, no! | will wait
| will watch l will learn all To
night ends all. With another day,
doves, lover. and mansion will be many
leagues from Adrienne and here
venge! ere my plans are consummated I"
An hour went by. The girl had not
changed her position. Suddenly there
was rustling sound at the window,
soft, cooing note, and second dove,
steel-blue i'll color, tiuttered to her
losOm, and her trembling hands I'M
loosed the return message secured at
its wing.
With swimming eyes the girl kissed
the few brief words that told her that
her lover would meet her as desired
Then she placed the dove in its cage
and left the room.
The man in the garden smiled Il
sinister, cruel smile, as he lit cigar,
wandered from the house, crossed n
lawn, threaded narrow, daisy starred
path that led to bluff overlooking the
lake, and, secreting himself amid some
bushes, waited, and waited as might II
fowler. sur of his prey and his snare
alike.
dusk came down with slow, trailing
garments OF gray, sweeping the red
from the sky and the gold from the
forest aisles. A second form, that of Il
man graceful as an Apollo, reached
the summit of Raven Cliff and lin
gered there.
Then quivering form, in light,
pretty muslin, came to meet him. The
soft caresses We're fearful, the tones
that spoke tremulous. The cruel eyes
of the watcher glowed like mrid flame,
as he heard the bold, cheering words
of the lover, the desponding accents of
the girl.
mo, no, Victor" she quayered; :;
better let love die in sadness, grief,
hopelt ssness, than add to it some
dreaded token of revenge that will
break my heart. 1t is useless to ap-
peal to my father; this man Despard
has him completely under his influence.
He has promised him that | shall wed
him. and Despard has induced him
to leave here. Should they go to-
night"
"To night" echoed Victor, with a
gasp of dismay. Il must know if they
do. They shall not bear you away,
and / never know to what misery they
have condemned you. Promise, if
thtN Sech W lcdNt, NOu Will StuO
message-the carrier-dove?"
al promise, but of what avail
Would you follow us? Then Despard
will do you some deadly injury. AS it
is, he thirsts for revenge on the man
can never cease to love. Victor! Vic
tor! my heart will break"
Sighs, kisses, tears, last Promise!
you will send me- the message?' and
then the lovers parted, and Despard
clenched his teeth venomously.
"Torture' he groaned out. "Ah,
my lady, you shall leave tonight. AMI
you, Victor Dane-look your last on
the love you stole from me, for my re-
venge is very near"
One hour later, a broken, helpless
creature, Adrienne Dacre, stole to the
tower room. Her face was Il pail OF
despair She knew the worst.
BY specious promises, baneful infu
ence, Despard had induced her father
TO leave at midnight for his own home
in the far West. where troublesome
rivals would no longer annoy, and