Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1890-02-07

ESlEly-llhSS
girly," he said. softly.
He renamed an hour, and then went
away. These new acquaintances had
taken a kindly interest in his misfortunes,
and for short time the black cloud on
his heart was chased away.
Every week Daniel returned to his
old home, and was received by Mrs.
Bent and Anna with kind words aud pity
and comfort, and nc was always allowed
to go into the garden and help himself
freely to berries and fruit, and these short
calls made bright spot in his barren,
viewlcss existence. Anna had also an
other admirer. Joseph Powell had
passed an evening with her mt the house
of II mutual friend. Her sweetness of
character and beauty had made deep
impression on his heart, aud he longed
ardcntly for an opportunity to become
better acquainted with her. There was
an indescribablc fascination in this love-
ly young lady, unspoiled by society.
Soon he called on Mrs. Bent and her
daughter; but Anna received him coolly.
She could not forget his cruel treatment
of his useless relative, Daniel Leroy, and
his polished manners aud rich mental
gifts made no impression on her
October came, with its gorgeous tints
of foliage and bright colorcd flowers
One fine morning Anna started for
walk to Westbrook, village two miles
distant. She was going out of the gate
when whining cry from Tiger, chained
i'll the back yard, accused of killing a
ncighbors sheep, and was in confnc-
ment till his guilt or innocence could be
proved Tiger whined piteously to ac-
company his young mistress as usual.
'No, no, Tiger; you can't go this
time, said Anna, decidedly.
A brisk walk of three quarters of an
hour brought her into Westbrook, and
having called on sick friend, she
turned her steps homeward. The cross
road was shady and bot little travelled
She had gone half the distance back, and
had had seen no person till she came sud
denly upon an addressed, villainous-
looking man, sitting in the shade of some
tall bushes by the roadside.
He started to his feet and placed him
self directly in front of her. She turned
to one side, and he took few steps the
same way, keeping before her. Unex-
pectcdly stopped on the road, she trcm-
bled violently with terror.
''Givc me your pocket book" de-
manded the man, imperatively, holding
out his hand Anna stared mt him with
wide open eyes and seemed powerless to
move
"Give me your money; your money
want" He lifted his clcnched fist and
shook it threateningly in her face. "Do
you hcarl-your money"
She thrust her pockct-book into his
hand.
"You are mighty pretty girl; you
may go now," he growlcd, with a cool,
savage laugh.
He stood one side, and she fled past
him with swift feet. The highwayman
counted the money with greedy eyes and
nimble fingers: twenty dollars in small
bills and change. In moment he
shouted; "Stop! forgot to take your
watch. must have that! stop!"
Anna started into hard run, and the
highwayman followed in hot pursuit
"Stop, or I'll shoot you!" he called, in
Il voice of thunder.
On she fled, her feet scarcely touching
the ground. CHANGING back, the blood
almost froze in her veins rs she saw he
was gaining upon her.
"I'll kill YOU if yon don't stop"
Anna gave u loud shrick of horror and
dashed on. 1t was Il race for life.
Fleeter grew the steps of the man be-
hind. Before her was narrow path,
leading from the road into some wild
fields. She darted into this path, and
was hidden from her pursuer by the low
pines and brushwood. Forcing her way
over two pastures, she reached ledge,
where some convulsion OF nature had
made an opening of nearly three feet in
the rock. She could easily have jumped
over this chasm but spurrcd by the agony
CT fear, her foot slipped in crossing, and
she fell twenty feet between the rocks.
The stunted brush at the bottom broke
the force of her fall, and she escaped in
jury with few slignt bruises.
Two hours went by No step or voice
had been heard. She had been prccipi-
tated into dangerous hiding place from
the highwayman, and not finding her, he
had probably gone back to the road.
She now attempted to. extricate herself
from her rocky place of refuge, but the
sides of the chasm were perpendicular,
with no projecting bits of rock large
enough for her to clutch, and after re-
peated efforts, she sank back in despair
and exhaustion. The hours of the day
wore away The sun went down, and
the moon and stars shone out in their
evening glory, and still Anna was help
lessly imprisoned, with no possility of
escape.
"Help! help! help!" she cried again
and again. Echo brought back her voice
1t had reached no other ear. Was she
to starvc and die in this wild, lonely,
dark chasm2 Would it be her grave2
The thought made her dizzy and faint,
and she fell into unconsciousness.
Anna did not return to dinner, as
Mrs. Bent expected, and when the after
noon wore away and evening came, she
went in distress to neighbors and en-
traafod for a cnarch for her dauobfar