Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1890-12-20
ANNAPOLIS Nd SATURDAY EVENING" DECElfBER 1890
A NIGHT OF TERROR.
now PHILIP VANCE WON A WIFE AFTER
GREAT PERIL

philip Vance, handsome young
American, had RI den far that day.
Just as the sun us going down IN
flaming pyre OF saffron aud amber
and puplish tinls, he drew rein on the
hank of a roaring river The bridge
was gone.
Around him lay an almost unin-
habited county, rugged, desolate,
and wild. Blue hills trimmed the dis
tant honzon. and a forest OF patrl-
archal trees seemed to extend TO the
very base of the far-off purple heights.
Hours had elapse,. since he had passed
the last farmhouse on the road.
Curse tho lGck,o he muttered,
half angiily, and very much at loss
What am ! to do y
The river did not look to be forda-
BILE. The current ran strong and
swift and deep just at that point.
Vance was not a coward by any means,
but he feared TO risk the passage.
His dapple-grey mare, too, drew back
from the brink with an impatient
snort, as if she scented danger there.
What am ] to do,o he repeated, IN
greater bewilderm,nt than ever.
The words had scarcely passed his
lips this second time when-though he
had heard no war; ing thud of hoofS-
a young girl suddenly made her ap-
peaiance at his side, on horseback
like himself.
"Would you like tacross the river, !"
she asked, in low, singularly sweet
voice.
q Yes, miss
He was rude enough to turn and
stare at her. Her abrupt appearance
furnished him With an excuse, per-
haps. What he saw was a creature
daintily bright and pretty, with brown
hair, big melting brown eyes, and a
ripe strawberry mouth She
met his fixed gaze with frank, cheer
full smile.
Probably You are surprised to en-
counter a human being like yourself
in this apparent solitude,n she said.
Very much Are you quite sure
you did not drop from the clouds ?o
rubbing his eyes to be sure he was
awake and not dreaming.
She laughed merrily.
"Quite,o she answered. =" think
you were too dee ply perplexed over
the question of crossing the river to
observe my approach"
No doubtn
"The bridge has been carried away
by freshet. But there is another.
lower down. If you wish, sir, l will
convince you of my familiarity with
the locality by gui ing you there"
With all my heart.n
BY this time Philip Vance was
slightly intoxicat d with the girls
beauty, as well as bewildered. He
would have followed her through flood
or FIRE, if she had but led the way.
She turned her horses head, and
began TO move forward to the left.
The young man kept close to her
heels. They kept on in this way for
at least fifteen minutes, and during
this time not word passed between
them. Philip was kept busy with
picking his way over the unknown
ground, and found no opportunity for
conversation with his lovely guide
They had been penetrating the
growth of shrubbery usually to be met
with on the mcultivated banks of a
river. Presently they emerged in a
cleared place, where rude bridge Of
logs and rough planks had been
thrown across the stream.
Here we are,v said the girl, now
pausing for an instant. . You see,
difficulty.r
The words were accompanied with
dazzling smile that quite took away
the remainder of Philips senses.
And you,o he said, eagerly.
"Oh, Pm going over, too"
am glad of that.v
She looked quickly at him. g Why ?''
she asked.
Zone doesn't like to be wholly de-
serted in such a sOlitude,u he an
swered, scarcely knowing what reply
TO make.
"True. We're you going far, may
/ ask 20
"To Danbury"
That is ten miles away''
How provoking / have money
and valuables with me, and this forest
before me bears no very geod reputa-
ton. believe"
She was silent for a minute or two.
and sat with her face turned away
from him. The shadows of twilight
were gathering purple and dim about
those two while they waited.
My-my fathers house is near at
hand, on the other side Of the river,''
she said, presently. You are well
come to remain there tonight, If it
suits your convenience, sir.v
1t did suit Philips convenience.
Not that the solitary ride through
the lonely wood seemed so very for
midable, for he travelled we'll armed,
and feared no common adversary.
But he scarcely wished to part with
his charming guide so soon. The OPP
portunity to cultivate her acquaintance
was too good to be lost.
You are very kind, - he said, trem-
bling with pleasure, and | gladly
avail myself Of your offer.1
He was vain enough to imagine
that she looked pleased. As they pre-
pared to cross the bridge together. he
mustered the courage to ask the name
of his rural divinity.
Hetty Wise.n was her soft. low
answer.
And mine is Philip Vance.D
She reached out one of her plump
little hands, and he clasped it warmly.
feeling somehow as If he must have
known her long, long while already.
The woods now grew denser and
darker Philip could scarcely see his
way, but he followed closely after
Hetfy. After the lapse of about ten
minutes. they drew rein before =
square broTn-lO0king building in tho
middle Of q small clearing.
This is my h0ne,D said Hettv.
g Let your horse stand, and il win be
taken care If =
She leaped lightly to the ground
and led the way into a long. low.
4 kxn-.sz.z T-tG.-A -