The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1893-11-22
A STORY OF KENTUCKY.


cred with wild flowers and running vines,
almost forgotten by the generation of
today. The place is within few miles
of Lexington. The house stands upon
the corner of hill overlooking a large
scope of country and for miles one can
view the Louisville & Lexington railroad
as it lies twisted through valley and
glade. 1t is not so picturesque as would
attract the attention of tourist the sec
ond time, but in those old by-gone slav-
cry days it was classed among one of
the finest homes to be found in Ken
lucky. The house is very large, sur
rounded by a grove of maple trees. MAX
ing today almost a haven Of rest. No
one but an old colored man has lived
there for many years. His name is Ben
Johnson, who is held responsible for this
little story
In the year 1S4S there moved to Lex
linton from the East a family named
Howard. Their only child was a son
named Guy. He had been graduated in
the law and being admitted to the bar
of Lexington he soon won for himself
fame and was admired by all He was
very prosperous and soon began to deal
in real estate. His favorite farm was
the one mentioned and under control Of
Robert Clinton. Mr.. Clinton had no
children except an adopted daughter.
She had lived with him ever since in
fancy and knew no other father than
Papa Clinton. She had never heard her
parents names mentioned, and of course
was admitted into society as Grace Gin
ton. She had now reached the age of
eighteen and was considered by the Ken
tuckian "ez one O. the finest gals in the
whole blue grass kintry." Guy Howard
was not long in finding this out, but as
his nature was somewhat different from
the common run of southern people he
was more alternative to business. leaving
love affairs for others more interested.
Grace was very much interested in Guys
actions, but as she could never expert
ence anything better than a common
farmers daughter she abandoned all
hopes and treated Guy with simple re-
spect.
Another winter had gone and spring
was half over. Guy was spending most
of his time on the farm. One evening
late in June as he was returning to his
country home his horse became fright
ened and was unmanagable. Down the
rode it ran and when it reached the
home of the Clintons the animal turned
suddenly and threw Guy TO the ground
in such manner that he was seriously
injured. a physician was sent for and
after examining the wounds informed
Guy that he would have to remain quiet
for a few days. Guy asked him not to
tell his parents, and if they inquired as
To his whereabouts tell them that he was
suddenly called East.
week had passed since Guy was in
Jured, and if there was any change in
his condition it could not be observed.
The doctor was still paying him visits
and on one Of these visits he brought
very sad news to Guy. The old LeXing-
ton homestead had burned and his aged
father and mother were so seriously hurt
that they died in few hours afterward
The shock was too great for Guy and
he relapsed ana was seized by a fever
In this state he lay for many weeks,
but under the tender care of Grace, who
had almost fallen in love with him. Fall
was here and the leaves were turning
golden before poor Guy was permitted
TO walk out into the air. Winter came
but when the dark clouds and drifted
snow made the days gloomy they were
frightened by the sweet smiles of Grace,
who was now Mrs. Guy Howard. Their
home was in Lexington, where they
would live until the new house was COM
pleted on the farm. So when spring had
SlNpptu dclut lbl SuiilllltI IL lUuIlu MI.
and Mrs. Guy Howard neatly situated
in their new home.
Guy had extended an invitation to a
few of his Eastern friends TO come and
spend the summer with them.
Among the crowd invited was an old
sweetheart of Guys. They had arrived
before another week rolled by and Guys
old sweetheart was really envious of
Grace. She still harbored the same old
love for Guy and ofttimes wondered
what could be done which would bring
about hatred between them and place
herself nearer to Guy. There were two
faithful slaves living with Guy named
respectively Ben and Betsy Johnson.
Leona Hubbard which was the girls
name who loved Guy, soon gained the
confidence of old Betsy. She told her of
her disappointed love and how she Ionged
for revenge.
Old Betsy had been classified that day
by Guy and swOre to be reVenged.
She then found Lenora and told her
that Grace was an octOroon she was
not the child of the Clinton family. but
was her own, and fearing she would he
sold in slavery she bound her to the
Clintons in infancy. Lenora Hubbard
had at last found a plot for revenge
She told Grace all and many more
things that was not mentioned by
Betsy; Grace felt as though she could
not stay another night under that roof
She went to the Clintons and asked
them. They hesitated, but at last
moved by her pleadings, they told her it
was true. Poor Grace All the future
was very dark to ner now, and turning
toward her once happy home she began
to think what to do. Would she let the
would know who she was? No; if she
did that all would know of Grace's dis
grace. Would she kill herself? No. that
would be a sin in the eyes of God She
would leave the place and no one but
old colored Betsy her mother should
know her whereabouts. Guy was aware
of a sudden change in Grace. What
could it all mean. Lenora met him one
day and told him that Grace loved
George Ellsworth. Gay could not be-
lieve it, but the thought of Graces
mysterious actions caused him to believe
Lenora more.
He was attending court i'm Lexington
that fall and was usually detained until
late of evenings. On returning home
one evening he found his room vacant
and Grace gone. Rushing out into the
beautiful maple grove to look for her
he met George Ellsworth. In an I'M
usual voice he demanded where Grace
was. George did not know of course
and Guy thought he was merely Jest
ing. They moved to a seat near a rose
bush where the innocent buds, stirred
by the soft evening breeze, was idly
nodding to and fro. Behind this bush
was crOuched a figure wrapped in a
dark cloak. 1t was Lenora. She had
crept out into the lawn to cut some rose
buds and as Guys knife was all she
could find she innOcently picked it up.
She was attracted by Guys loud voice
and bent forward to plainly catch the
words fast falling from both their lips
She heard Guy say that he could never
live another day. What could she do