The advocate., 1895-04-24


Strong RTSyGc2toRRs 6tssg S3t PCGnnS as W0RS
But here / stand and scof youl here fling
-CATILINEs DEFIANCE,
She wished she had not heard 1t, yet she wished
That heaven had made her such man ~
Several weeks had passed since the events already
recorded
Dobbins RakestraW would arrive in the evening to
make use of the StilWel mansion as an inexpensive
hotel while attending the fall term of court which
would open at Worcester in the morning. For Dob
bins desired to give final turns to the judicial
screws employed in exerting pressure upon certain
obstinate debtors who contumaciousy "failed, neg
lected and refused"-as his law papers remarked
ito yield up coin which they were unable to obtain
In short, as Job Cottle put it, Dobblns was trying
Ito squeeze blood out of turnips By going to Still
wells he could fare sumptuously, while practicing
the most rigid economy, and could incidentally oper-
mte upon Gertrude's somewhat tardy affections.
It was beautiful, early September day; and al
though Mrs Stilwel regarded with motherly sppre
hension some scattered clouds, the sun shone
brightly, gentle breeze made it delightful to be
out of doors, and Gertrude insisted upon taking
afternoon ride She knew Dobbins was coming, and
she desired to postpone long possible the dread
PA@oOAOs OAAS
was an additional motive for riding. She was more
than usually pensive this afternoon indeed she had
been much given to reVere ever since the Fourth Of
July; and, not intending to hasten her return, she
suffered her horse to have his way and rode dream
iy along, unconscious Of distance, of the fight OF
time, or of the threatening aspect the heavens
had assumed terrific thunder.cap aroused her
at last and she discovered that she was in strange
hot had hnOOmn dark
that It was already beginning to rain. Back in the
wood and Just visible in part from the road, she de-.
sCtSad what she supposed to be farmhouse, and
thitber she made her way to find refuge from the
storm. It proved to be large, rude structure re-
sembling barracks, with no windows, and but one
door which, she found upon trial, was securely fas-
tened AT the opposite extremity, however, was q
shedike annex and there at last, her garments sat-
urated with the rain which was pouring down, she
found protection for herself and her horse on dry
strip Of earth extending along the hOorless shed and
next to the wall of the main structure. Sitting upon
loR and leaning her back against the wall she pa.
tienty waited for the storm to cease, consolng her
aaf with the reflection that she Wouldn have ample
excuse for avoiding Dobbins society for that even
ing at least.
Not a human being nor q human habitatiOn was
visible in any direction. She had no idea where she
was nor how far she had wandered from home. All
that was certain was that she had never been In that
locality before and thatshe must, therefore, have ex
tended her ride further than usual but how much
further she could not guess. Night came, all the
darker there in the woods, and the rain was still
mourning down. The water had run through the roof
until an impetuous stream was rushing through
the outer edge of the floor Of the shed, and the
leaking roof threatened the one dry spot where
rbe had till now found safe place for her horse and
herself The darkness deepened. There were fire.
ouent deafening thunder-peals, accompanied By
vivid, wicked-looking Ig.zag lightning flashes, and
fbs rain showed no indications of abatement.