Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1890-02-14
THE STRANGER.

IL WIS years ago, Bessie, when | wa
but eighteen, and just engaged to Frank
Fcnton. If You want to hear about it.
sit down on the stool Mt my feet, and
prepare to be bored.
We had been swccthcarts for Iona
timo. Went 10 church and siunin,.
school together; rode, walked, danced,
and took long rows on the river which
ran past my fathers house. In fact,
this had been going on for so long II
time that we finally decided that We
might as well be always together, and
so the preliminary arrangements were
begun, and our wedding day drew
near.
we lived on the banks of n river
one OF the loveicst streams in LOUISIANA
"A quiet spot some distance from any
antation; but as soon as ON marriage
took place we young folks were to re.
move TO ncighboring parish, and
thither Frank went, shortly before the
wedding, to prepare our new home.
lie left me busy as bee with the
trousseau and arrangements for the affair.
which was to be n grand one for the
country, ms my father was we'll to do
planter and ] the only child.
He had been absent about n FORTNIGHT
and l was expecting him back daily,
when one day father came, with n
troubled face, into the room where I
was sitting. surrounded by lace and
muslin and danny ntccssariesco1 toilet
which were just as much the fashion
then as they are now, Bessie, popular
cant to the contrary, Notwithstanding.
"Lsttie," said he, hurrcdly, "lve
got to 50 over TO Squire Bants to see
about some titles. came near FORGET
ting the appointment, and ril have 10
hurry right fast to get there on time.
Can you do without mc2r LAUGHED
and nodded; then suddenly an uneasy
feeling took possession OF me. I &c.
membercd the money-quitc large sum
with which Frank and | were to "bc.
gin the world, " and winch lay securely
hidden away in the house, the nest egg
OF our future fortune.
| knew tha, was destined 10 lonely
night of it, for father could not nos
sib!y return within twenty four hours;
the servants had all gone to '.break-
down. on ncighboring plantation
except an aged cronc, Aunt Dnah by
name; my mother was an invalid, weak
and nervous; felt :hat, alone as | was.
the outlook was not very cnliyenino.
Father observed my troubled expires
sion.
II don't sec how 1 can helm it.
daughter he said gravcly. "This is
a very Important matter, and admits O.:
no delay. it is the fault of my trcacl
crous memory; had only remembered
the engagement with the squire would
have kept some of the servants at home
as protection for you"
But was no coward, and so kisscl
him and laughed away his anxiety. aud
saw him depart with assumed cheerful.
ness; but as he rode down the avenue
which led 10 the outer gates, saw him
turn in the saddle and gaze after me
anxiously once moro.
] returned to my household duties
and my pleasant task amid the pillows
of lace and muslin, and so sang and
worked the long. bright day away.
1t was nearly sunset.
had persuaded mother to lie upon 4
couch, which 1 had pushed out upon
the vine-covcred gallery, and seating
myself lc'idc her, 1 began to read
aloud some wild old tale of super
natural horrors, upon which 1 had
stumbled. Before hal half finished
L had worked myself into state OF
nervousness, and as l noticed the paling
luce OF my mother, l tossed tic book
upon tho table, with contemptuou,
expression, and arose to make her tea.
at that moment the gate la:ci
clicked, and as turned in its direction
could no: rcpress cry Of alarm.
Ny eyes fell upon strange sight.
The figure OF woman-a very dwarf
IL siz, and etaturc-cad in fade |
black dress, with battered bonnet
upon her head, and torn shawl about
l:cr tiny, stopping shoulders.
Slowly sud !icsitatingly the creature
moved la Tho walk, until sho had
/ reached &c gallery.
| Hero tho paused to gaze curiously