Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1890-09-04
A HATEFUL DISASTER.
BY NEWTON II. WINS.

Edna Singleton was thrown into an
ecstasy of delight when she received
word from her brother, Robert, begging
her to come out and spend the summer
with him on the farm in the rural dis
tricts OF Pennsylvania, not many miles
from the city of Harrisburg. She was
at that time living with a maiden aunt
IN the city of Philadelphia, and she had
already grown tired of the social life
she was compelled to lead in that great
city. Besides. it was not the sort of
life to which she had been accustomed.
Her girlhood had been passed on their
fathers farm-a beautiful estate on the
Junlata, now being managed by her
brother Robert-and she had grown up
with love of all the social surround
ings of rural home. But great be-
reavements had come, and left the
brother and sister aioDe in the posses
sion Of as fine piece of landed property
rs could be boosted of anywhere in the
vicinity of Richland, the railway station
and village adjacent to their country
seat.
Her brother, who was her senior by
several years, had a family consisting
of a wife and two children--a boy and
girl, aged respectively IL and 8 years.
Roland was bright, industrious boy,
great favorite with the horses and dogs,
and was greatly beloved by his father.
His sister Grace was equally fond of
outdoor sports, and was, withal, the /
pet Of the family.
On the day appointed for the arrival I
of Edna, Robert and his wife, Emma, /
drove over to the little village of Rich
land in the family carriage to meet
Edna upon her arrival.
Robert was agreeably surprised at the
change in his sister since he had last
seen her, which was now nearly year.
She had developed from budding young
girlhood into beautiful young lady.
Arrived at home, Edna was delighted
beyond her expectations. 1t seemed to
her that she had never known sur
so enchanting. Besides, she
was with those she knew and loved
best. Roberts wife was to her a great
source of joy
In the society of his sister, who ac-
him nearly everywhere and
entered into his plans with so much
heart and interest, Robert found an
agreeable companion, and his labors ]
ound an additional zest He was
,roud, too, of the admiration she ex- 6
tied Edna had always been an in {
repid horse-woman, and there we're few (
lner sights than the graceful young
irl putting to his best pace a certain S
eet. black horse with which Robert L
ad presented her. And many had L
cen her perform these feats, among C
Thom were some of the first young men r
( the country, who felt proud if they 5
aught but the faintest recognition p
rom those blue eyes. But Edna had &
o thought other than the Joy b
nd pleasure she received from il
lese excursions. Almost every day s.
he might be seen mounted on her
lirited black horse, sometimes accom- Il
Anied by Robert and sometimes by her p
sphew, Roland, cantering away over
lie green country roads, at times pene- p,
ating the rugged hills and forests some al
lies beyond the village of Richland. in
1t had been raining. and for several CT
lys Edna had been obliged to stay in W
,ors. 1t had rained at intervals for hS
eek, and the creeks and rivers had
Tollen until they had become rushing W
Tents. But the rain finally ceased, W
e stormclouds passed away, and the th
light sun again shone forth, seeming vi
put new life and animation into all
liling nature, and awakening the 81
atbered songsters to sweeter and be
v-cr v.-ar1,lfDrro ~ fboruh thew xUara l Nj
turning thanks for the passage of the re
nm and the return Of the bright sun he
me. I'M
Edna. too. caught the inspiration Of H,
} birds. and she decided she would of
&c more enjoy q ride in the beautiful ca
lshine. As Robert was unable to re-
company her, Roland was chosen for wa
+ escort on this trip, and mounting
IL horses, they set off in westerly it