The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1894-12-01
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JANNETT'S STRANGE RIDE.

and turning glanced quickly at the clock
ticking on the mantel behind her
Goodness! Grace. It's half past
3. had no idea it was so late. | was
listening to Uncle lie Forrest when all at
once seemed to feel such strange, subtle
feeling coming over me an urging, drawing
sensation; at first almost alike some danger
threatened me. But it's over now, dear
Grace" said Jannett, bravelv, noticing the
look of apprehension on Grace Darling's
pretty, girlish face. 81 must really be
setting off for mother asked me to he
home before night fall-and you know it's
twenty long miles to Brattleboro."
Yes. So it is, dear Jannett, but Prince
knows every step of the way although he
must be tired with his journey here this
morning. answered Grace Darling as she
helped her beautiful cousin into her warm
winter wraps.
'You must bundle up warm, Jannett,
it'sgrowing colder every minute. I'm sorry
you did not tell George you were coming,
for am sure he would gladly have driven
you home Since dear fathers accident, |
have grown strangely timid of late"
There was almost pang of envy in
Grace Darling's heart as she gazed at her
cousin.
1t was pretty picture that the bright
glow of the freight shone upon, touching
with tenderness the faces of the two young
girls--so different in their beauty.
Jannett Reed was perfect blonde, with
deep sea blue eyes and delicate features;
''plump as partridge" handsome George
Pratt had called her and Jannett smiled
brightly at the young man for his presump-
ton.
He had been Grace Darling's friend.
While on visit that past summer at her
uncle lie Forrest Darling's house, Jannett
Reed had met the young and dashing ex-
pressman, and both met their fate. 1t was
a case of love at first sight, but George had
been called suddenly away and had never
spoken to Jannett of the hope that was
thrilling in his warm true heart-the hope
of making her his wife. In his mind he
could see that the little home of which he
hoped some day she would be queen
his loved and honored wife .Jannett and
he had walked down retired street,
where sheltered under a dropping elm
stood little cottage, painted white and
green, with shady porch, where when the
days work was done, ,Jannett and he would
sit and make love among the clustering
roses But stern Fate had decreed that
he should be parted from her. before he
could speak those mOmentous words.
Must you really 90 to-day, Jennie?"
asked Uncle lie Forrest from his sick couch
in an anxious tone. See it is showing
fast and furious and | would rather have
you stay, dear"
But Jannett could not remain, so in a
disappeared from Grace Darling's sight,
swallowed up in the binding snow storm
of the late November afternoon. AS Jan
nett drove swiftly onward her thoughts
were busy and troubled. All day long she
had been thinking of dark, sullen face
which she could not shut out from her
memory, the face of Ralph Raymond, the
village blacksmith. who had had the
audacity to ask her to be his wife, only a
few days before Of course she had refused
him, for deep hidden in her heart was a
g., ho,
the expressman. He had never spoken of
love to her, and the girl gentle nature with
its wealth Of affection. was also endowed
with womanly pride, and she felt she
would rather die than have him suspect
her secret. She had rejected Ralph Ray
mond somewhat haughtily for she did not
like him, and there were floating rumors
which had reached her, concerning his
unprincipled life, which made her half
afraid of him. Somehow the thought of
him had haunted her all day like black
shadow. She recalled his angry looks
when she had told him she could never be
his wife, and the threatened gesture with
which he had suddenly confronted her
his sullen face was flushed with anger and
his small gray eyes held revengful
CLEAN.
'I'll make you sorry for this, my lady,
he had Missed Indignantly, transtixing her
with his cruel gaze ''You shall live to
repent your refusal of me. Sooner or later
will pay you back for this"
She had caught glimpse of his stalwart
figure as she drove Prince through the
village on her way to visit her cousin
Grace, that morning, and somehow the
sight of him had filled her with vague
forbodings of evil All day she had felt
that strange oppression on her heart and
now, driving rapidly homeward in the dy-
ing day the feeling grew and increased in
intensity. The snow ceased falling, slowly
the sun went down-a magnificent sight
A glorious west all afame with gold and
Tyrian purple; and crimson glow fell
athwart the snow clad mountains and
tipped the green of the fire with tiny lances
OF radiant fire.
Darkness was fast descending upon that
silent world and Jannett Reed urged Prince