The Roanoke daily times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1895-1897, 1896-09-06
THE COVERED PICTURE
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Old Marse made her promise never 20
marry without his consent, and after that
he wouldn't let Mr.. Dame worry her
any more. He knew that she would never
60 back on her word Well, not long
after that Mr.. Dame met Miss Helen and
Marse Ned riding together and he goes
right home and tells Old Marse. Well,
he got awful mad, of course, and forbade
her riding out any more at all. She did
not say one word, but just looked scorn-
fully at Mr.. Dame and left the room,
but the next morning she gave the usual
order for her horse and mine. Then there
was scene. Old Marse stormed and
swore like an Overseer. AS soon as she
could be heard she told him that she
would let this be her last ride. I saw
her eyes fill with tears as she said it..
We'll, when she came down l had the
horses ready. saw that she had been
crying and my heart ached for her.
After we had got out of sight she
said: Uncle Jord, you love me, don't
your Yes, Miss Helen, you know do,
said I. Thank you, she said gently;
Il am going to ride with DIR. Galbraith
this morning, Uncle Jord. 1 am goino
to tell him goodbye, and then 1 don't
care what becomes of me. am so tired
of it all; but you have been kind to us
81 stammered out something, I don't
remember what, and just then we round
ell a bend in the road and there was
Marse Ned waiting for her. He gave me
good morning in that pleasant way of
his, and when he saw Miss Helen's face,
he looked mad, and riding up close to
her, said: Helen, my darling, l can't,
l won't, have you bullied this way, and
by your own father, too. BY heavens,
I'll shoot old. Dame on sight. Better
end it soon as late, any way
81 saw her put out her hand and touch
his and heard her say .omething about
orders had been, keep in sight Yes,
honey, that's all did. l did not wish
to hear what they had to y.
Il could see that they were talking
earnestly and he was pleading with her
l imagine that he was begging her to
marry him, for when we passed the lit
tie chapel out OH the Cliff road, he point
cd to it several times. You see, lad, it
stands on the other side of the line
Once thought they had stopped; but no.
she shook her head and they went on.
Suddenly white cat jumped out of
the bushes and ran across the road. Miss
Helen's mare bounded to one side and
with loud snort she dashed away down
the road as fast as she could go, Marse
Ned and after her as fast as we could
go.
"Oh, child, shall never forget that
ride to my dying day. Katie Fell, hold
ing her tail down low, tail and name
straight up, gave II long side leap and
cleared the fence that ian along the road
and flew like deer straight towards that
awful cliff and certain horrible death
"Marse Ned was straight behind urg-
irS his horse to pass her before she reach
ed the cliff. He knew that was his o)ly
chance. For one moment a sweet hpoe
filled my breast. He wa3 beside her,
the way; but child, he was on the very
| edge and that vicious mare cras he'd
against him with all he strength. One
| second they struggled wildly to regain
their balance, then wild unearthly
scream from both horses and they all dis
appeared. Not n sound from either Miss
Helen or Marse Ned. | jumped off nv
foamiDg horse and Running to the edge
lay down..and locke over, and down there,
two hundred feet on the rocks low
lay both crushed and dead
How got home to tell the awful tale
| never knew. 1t was many long weeks
before | came to know anything, and then
your father was dead, your grandmot her
dead, and they had buried Miss Helen
ard Marse Ned side by side
cold Marse was broken hearted man.
He had her picture covered. j reckon that
he could not bear to look at it. Not long
after he was laid to rest beside them.
Poor Old Marse!
"Mr. Dame? Oh, he married the
preachers oldest daughter in less than
six months and moved to the city where
his zeal in religious work soon gained
him high reputation.