St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1892-06-09

beat OF horses hoOfS reused him
and glancing up, he saw Roger
Arnold, looking almost handsome.
and very gay and bright,-"Come
a courtin'" the old farmer said to HIM
self
Morrow, friend" said Roger,
drawing rein; then with a quick
change of tone ANY bad news ?"
Patience has run off with John
Targee, l s'pose," answered the far
mer testify.
Roger changed color and sat very
straight in his saddle. Then he said
very deliberately:
Il do not think, friend, she would
do that
BLESS thee, lad" answered the far
mer with tears in his eyes, "but
where is she then ?''-and he told the
whole story.
In few moments they parted, the
farmer keeping the road, and Roger
to the fields to reach the marsh. He
had leaped couple of walls, when
in the distance he saw John Targee's
horse, and presently John himself,
gun in hand. He rode up and threw
himself from tbs saddle.
What hast thou done with Pa
thence Brown ?" he asked sternlv.
John drew hinselfto his full height,
and stared haughtily at his question
er. Roger stood as proudly. They
were we'll matched in size and height,
and Rogers blue eyes cleaned with
as dangerous a light as Johns brown
ones. So they stood for moment.
Then Rogers whole air softened.
Forgive me, John, 1 know thou
hast not harmed her. But she is
gone. Let us find her.
He wrung his hand. Silently they
both mounted. While their horses
were picking their way over the
stony fields, Roger told all he knew
at was Caesar came for her p
asked John with a groan. Then he
told Roger how Caesar had beer
whipped, and it was Rogers turn tc
be doubly anxious, for he knew the
evil temper of the slaves of Indiar
blood They picked their way dowr
the hill past Dorothy's Hollow, anc
round the head of the cove.
All" exclaimed John, "the bog il
crying in broad daylight"
They rode to the little landing OF
the east of the marsh, rudely mad
of boards lying on the coarse grass
There was no sign of the boat
They dismounted and turned thei
horsesloose, sure each would.come a
his call John took the left path
and Roger the right. Slowly the.
walked over the oozy ground, search
ing they scarcely knew for what
Suddenly something bright and shin
ing caught the sunshine. job
stopped, with horror at his heart
and picked up a knitting needle. /
few steps further he stopped again
"She was knitting" he said calml
to himself as he saw the soft blu
work. AS he lifted it from tn
ground the yarn came tooth
, thread was unbroken! Mechanical
ly he followed it. Through the rusf
es it led him to the waters edge. l
to the water it went. 1t was nov
easier to follow, floating upon til
water. On, and on the water wa
ankle deep,-and now upto his knees
A low cry escaped him, for just i
front a sprig of blue gentian we
!, floating, its blue eyes opened lookiu
towards the sun. He clutched it an
: hid it in his riding coat. A few steI
further and the yarn went down int
the water.
"Roger, Roger!" he SHOUTED
, ''come!"
| Together they rolled away tt
| cruel stones; together they lifte
their precious burden together the
laid it upon the dried rushes on Il
, shore. John knelt down and reve
emily kissed the little wet, staine
: hand.
81 loved her." he moaned, ar
: gave himself up to grief.
Roger stood erect beside him.
l loved her." he said huskily, land 81
l loved thee"
So ends the tale.
Tradition is very distinct as to tt
+ Indictment, the crime, and the clue I
: its discovery. 1t also adds that tt
slave was caught, confessed and w;
} hung upon Tower Hill, the hill whe
his mistress lived, which stands t
day looking over the peaceful cou
tryside toward the sea- New En-
| land MAGAZINE