Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1891-03-14
IHE BRIARFIELD TRAGEDY,
BY LUGENIA DUNLAP.

Pretty, rosy little F.oss." ontsd CO.
quettishly, and drew away her hand
from her black browed sui or
No, WilIiam-for the last time, l
won't So there!'
A sudden pallor overspread the swar-
thy face, and dangerous gleam shot
from the small black eyes as he rlid 'ly
Sc zed the tender rould arm of the un
suspicious girl, and ltis,ed in IA voice sh'
had never heard before:
"By the Elernal. you shall! You shall,
OF I'll murder you!"
With IA shrek the terrified girl sprang
past him and fled into the cosy sitting
room where the other me,nhers of the
family pursue t'lrir homely avoc ii n
uefore a W ide, old fashioned wood fire
oh, nuuti!' she exclaimed, do be-
lieve William is c:azy.'
All we're startled at the sudden and
violent interruption. but not even the
genuine alarm on the girls face pre-
vented an annoyed rebulle from the
cider lady.
Crazy! What do you mean, Florence?
Get up from my side, and do leave off
tn, Be tragedy airsl
With eyes wide OF Ell in wonder at
such a tone from her usually kind pro
lrctress the girl slowly arose, and in
tears left tile room.
"Muther, you We're very harsh, re-
monstrated Margaret. the eldest daugh-
ter of the hou. g
Il wonder what William could have
said to her, spi efuly added Eliza. the
younger sister; It's always William!
"Tut, tu !! said the father. re.uming
his paper "Ihe boy is too rough. He's
put her out someAoN. Wife, you've no
cali to be vexed.
Perhaps / WAS harsh. said the old
lady, "but you don't know how that
word crazy horrities me. My only
lr,t.,r went crazy and took his own
life. We never got over the shock. Will
lam sometimes has a look of Lin, ana
| am in continual fear. He's always
been strange. I'm sorry burt the poor
childs feelings.
"Ch! her fee .ings are to easily hurt,
said E,Izl
Il sho ldn'l wonder if Lynn Graves
could mfort her. said Margaret.
meaningly, and the deep flush of an
noyance on Eliza's face indicated the
cause of her evident spleen toward her
fathers orphan niece.
$50 ho!" said the old gentleman,
again diverted from the daily news.
"The winds in that quarter, is it? l
thought " ili"m was sweet ON her,
Nonsense, Daniel" said Mrs. Bed
ford.
well now, wife, don't know about
that, and l. for one. shouldn't care if he
was. The lass is comely and well man.
nered, and Lesides, she will have right
snug little fortune of her own. Our
boy couldn't be doing better.
well, well, we've no call to meddle,
Daniel, cautiously replied the old lady /;
"and the Lord is sure to take care of his
own, she piously added. as she picked
up dropped stitch in her knitting,
Before retiring for the night kind
hearted Aunt Bedford sought her dis
tressed charge. and in words which the
atfectionate girl nsVer forgot told her
of the grim skeleton SO long hidden in
luG CliSel Vi lilc ItttSeiui i"iiiiiiouoo'
Don't cross him, dear, if you can
help it," she said as she left her; Il
don't want him to annoy you, but be as
patient IS you can
The summer passed, aud William Bed
ford had ceased to persecute his cousin
save by a 'alous watchfulness which
gave her constant dread. The warm
davs had been spent by the young
people Of the adjacent village and
vicinity in pleasure parties to the
woods and numerous excursions to the
blackberry thicket which gave the name
of Briarfield to UncIs Bedford's neigh
borhood.
Flossie Denton was ever the leading
spirit, ever tie center of attraction. Her
C ildlike nature. whether in dimples or
frowns, in sunshine or shower, asserted
SELF and many a gallant heart fell vic.
tim to her charms.
Lynn Graves did not care to conceal
his allegiance. but Flossie could not tell
him of her cousins stormy wooinS and
terrible threats. The on,y shadow her
Young ire had known since the hour
WHICH made her an orphan was the ever