Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1894-04-21

| TOau.
Were there no horses to be hir.
ed ?n
The hoy rolled his tongue in his
check. "There might be a mule
cart"
| Vincent decided to start on foot.
He persuaded him to give up the fish
line scheme and carry his valise as a
more profitable investment, and then
together the two struck into the
wide gorge already green with April
drapery, with rushing waterfalls
foaming down the side Of the noun
tain around which they pursued
! their way.
Reckon Miss Gwen would a
sent TO- you sho' if she'd known you
was coming" remarked Vincent s
guide as the dark began to close
about them and the mountain fog to
obscure the road.
Has she servants and horses -
inquired Vincent with irritation.
=" La, yes" drawled the boz, slots
on 'em."
And is she a-young lady ?"
queried our traveller.
|
" Didn't you know that r. was the
surprised reply.
Vincent walked On, rejecting upon
these items of information.
g. Well, how much further have we
got to go?" he enquired at length,
tired, shiyering in the cold white
mist and thinking of the condition
of his boots.
We're right there, sah-here's
the lane" was the cheering response.
A few moments more and they
saw the lights Of the house blinking
through the fog, and then through
the windows the ruddy glow of fire
light. The house, as Vincent could
dimly distinguish, was large, old
fashioned, with wide veranda.
The door at which he knocked
was opened by white haired color
ed man, wrinkled, bronzed, bent and
silent-a deaf mute, Vincent learn
ed afterward.
A moment later he was standing
on the threshold of a large room,
lighted by the fire rather than by the
two candles which burned in tall sill
yer candlesticks on the shelf. In
this nome ntary survey he took in
the dark, heavy furniture which
sparsely furnished tue spacious room
the skin rugs on the bare floor, the
small round table laid for supper and
the broad red couch before the fire
on which a young woman was stretch
ed at full length. surrounded by
sleeping dogs.
Vincent rather recoiled from the
unconventional aspect of the scene.
He liked the prophecies as he under
stood them. He expected proper
reception from somebody. He stood
stify on the threshold, hardly know
ing whether to advance or retreat.
An inquiring growl from an arous-
ed dog broke the silence. The lady
started at the sound and sat upright.
The dog, too, was on his feet. She
laid one hand quickly on the hound s
neck and rose, facing the doorway
where Vincent stood, as it were, at
bay, while the deaf mute held his
candle at arms height, as if to light
the visitors face for his mistress
inspection.
ALEX Vincent :" the lady asked
doubtfully.
She was tall, Diana like girl with
mass of dark, tumbled hair, and in
riding habit.
Vincent bowed coldly. Have /
the honor of speaking to Miss
Dane ?"
90, Cousin Vincent, where did
you come from? How did you get
here 2" she cried, coming toward
him.
"I"- said Vincent, and stopped
to smile and extend his hand in re.
spouse to Gwendoline Danes rapid
greeting, while even his cool, New
England blood tingled at sight of
the young beauty who was holding
his hand in hers, looking with superb
scrunity into his eyes, with which
hers were on level, while she said
hurriedly:
l see. You got off tue train at
Queenstown. Barmore is three
miles nearer, but how should you
know that j? / rode to Barmore TAX
ing an extra horse. Since you were
not there l supposed you had not
come, and so went off on long ride
l haven't been home half an hour
But how tired you must be and how
hungry and how damp. Come t.
the FIRE.
She turned toward the old Negro
with gesture he apparently under
stood. Supper" she said. "and
fire in Mr.. Vincent's chamber"
The dark cloth habit she wore wa
not long enough to interfere wit
her impetuous movements. Sh
wheeled a big leather chair towar,
the fire, the dogs who had followe
her disereetly getting out of he
way.