The Windham County reformer. (Battleboro, Vt.) 1876-1897, 1896-05-15


pieadings of love.
AL length, she who had now become
the principal object of solcitude il
the family group, to which the atten
tion OF our concealed spectators hao
been directed, followed with slow and
hesitating steps, her still importuninp
friends into the yard, where, in heI
bridal robes of vesta white, and with
her rich profusion Of bright and wavy
tresses hanging like golden cloud
over her shoulders she stood at once a
vision of loveliness and an object of
commiseration. Again and again did
those friends appear to renew their en-
treaties, at which the agitated girl
seemed sometimes to waver, and at 9th
ers to reply only with her tears; till at
length the former, evidently wearied
with their fruitless attempts, and de
spairing of success, assembled their ve-
hlcle, and drove off at rapid pace,
along the road to the south, without
turning their heads to look behind
them. Once, as she stood, like one
bound 10y some fatal spell to the spot,
wistfully gazing after the receding
wagon, momentary relenting ap
peared to cone over the wretched
maiden. She irresolutely ran forward
a few PAGES, and. ;mploringly stretch
ing forth her white arms, uttered A
faint, sobbing cry of Come back O,
come back ~ But the late appeal,
which would have so gladdened the
hearts of those for whom it was in
tended, was destined to be unheeded.
The cry was lost in the din of their
rafting wheels, as they urged on their
horses, as if anxious to escape from the
painful scene. And the poor girl,
dropping her arms, and turning hope
lessly away to a small tree near by,
leaned against the trunk for support,
and, for awhile, seemed to yield her
If wholly prey to the wild grief
which now burst forth from the dread
full conflict of emotions that was rend-
ing her distracted bosom. At length
she appeared to be slowly regaining
her self-possession. and now soon fully
arousing herself, she advanced towards
the Indians, and, by signs, signifed
her readiness to attend them With
eager aacrity, the horse was led up for
her to the door step; when, lightly
throwing herself into the saddle she
Immediately set forth along the road
to the north, preceded by the chief, and
folio red by hrs dusky assistants
Well, the poor thing has settled it
at last" observed Bart, drawing a long
breath. 'But | amt SO sure that those
red characters, who appear to feel go
crank at having got her started, will
be allowed to get far with their prize,
without seeing trouble. "
"Why. sir?" asked Sabrey, wipng
away the sympathetic tears that had
started to her cheeks at what she had
been witnessing why do you make
such remark?'
Well. it may not amount to any
thing. 10 be sure, y replied the other.
"But having had one eye on the look
out, during this affair at the house, |
noticed while ago. some five or six
scouts, styling along on the other bank
of the river, over there, and crossing in
boat. and entering the woods on this
side. BY their appearance, l think
they must be continentals from our
army below land if it is these Indians
they have been spying out, and are af
ter, they will waylay them along here
somewhere, likely. ("
30, if they could but take her from
those creatures, and send her to her
lTltDilH sdltl TIC IpI iiitis Win tiloN
ton.
YES hut | hope they won't attempt |
t." said Bart: for if these Redskins. |
who are probably to have a smart price
for getting her safe to camp, should
find themselves about to be robbed of
her. there's no telling what they would
do. -
At this juncture, their attention was
arrested by the sounds of footsteps APP |
preaching in the road from the north : |
and. the next moment, second party |
of Indians headed by tall, fierce look
ing chief, emerged into view, and adj
yanced nearly to the edge of the |
woods when the chief, beholding the
other party coming on with their |
charge suddenly halted, and stood
awaiting their approach, with an air OF
doubt and disappointment and with |
looks that plainly bespoke his jealous
fears of losing the reward, which, II |
the short sighted lover IN
his impotence at the delay that had |
occurred, had offered him also to bring |
off his betrothed. The bold and AFRO
giant air of the newly -arrived party, |
standing in the middle of the road,
and seemingly intending to dispute
the path, caused the others as they now
came up to pause as if for parley or
EXPLANATION when fierce and angry
debate arose between the rival chiefs
ia which the new conner, with dark
scowls and menacing gestures, de-
manded the exclusive possession of the
lady. which the other, at first mildly
and Nhen in tone of defiance, persist
ed in refusing. At length the latter,
under the pretence of wishing to OBJ
tain water but with the real object
probably of avoiding collision till
some compromise could be effected APP
nroacbed the alarmed maiden and led
her horse out into little opening IN
the bushes on the left where cool and
inviting spring was seen bursting
from beneath the wide spreading roots
of a stately pine tree standing in the
and here leaving her un-
Ter the shade of the trees still sitting
IN her horse. he and his attendants
gathered round the spring for the pur-
7ose of ouenching their thirst. At
lis instant, white streams of smoke,
followed by the startling reports OF
suddenly burst from neigh
,orinp thicket, and the band of con
.eaIed scouts. with challenging hur-
abs. we're springing from their coverts,
md rapidIy gliding from tree to tree
awards the spot. The astonished and /
,nnrepared Indians. who had escaped |
Iaath only by the distance from which {
he missiles of their assailants had '
,aen discharged upon them, all, with
ne accord. skunk instantly away into
he surrounding bushes,
Scarcely had they disappeared, how
ver. before the tall chief. whose Ill