Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1898-11-24
CHAPTER III.


gathering darkness, in a little gig that
accommodated only two. They drove a
very sober cob, who went at his leisure,
picking his way, seeing ruts in spite of the
darkness.
These girls were Barbara and Eve Jor-
dan. They had been out on a visit to
some neighbors who lived at distance
of five miles, and were divided from Nor
well by a range Of desolate moor. They
had spent the day with their friends, and
were returning home later than they had
tntended.
81 do not know what father would say
10 our being abroad so late, and in the
dark, unattended" said Eve, were he at
home. 1t is we'll he is away"
"He would rebuke me, not you," said
Barbara.
"Of course he would; you are the elder,
and responsible"
"But I yielded to your persuasion"
eyes, 1 like to enjoy myself when l
may. 1t is vastly dull at Morwell. Tell
me, Bah, did 1 look we'll in my figured
dress?".
Charming, darling; you always are
that"
"You are a sweet sister," said Eve, and
she put her arm round Barbara, who was
driving.
Mr.. Jordan, their father, was tenant
of the Duke of Bedford. The Jordans
were the oldest tenants on the estate.
They held Morwell on long leases of nine
4y-nine years, regularly renewed when the
leases lapsed. They regarded Morwell
House almost as their freehold; it was
bound up with all their family traditions
and associations.
Suddenly the two girls heard a call, then
1he tramp of horses feet. Barbara even
was for the moment startled, and drew
Abe gig aside, off the road upon the com
mon. black cloud had rolled over the
sickle of the moon and obscured it's feeble
light.
In another moment dark figures of men
and horses were visible, advancing at full
gallop along the road. The dull cob the
sisters were driving plunged, backed and
was filled with panic. Then the moon
'shOne out, and a faint, CHASTITY light fell
on the road, and they could see the black
figures sweeping along. There W re two
horses, one some way ahead of the other,
and two riders, he first with slouched
nat. But what was that crouched on the
erupper, clinging to the fast rider?
AS he swept past, Eve distinguished
the imp-like form of a boy. That wholly
Iunnerved her. She uttered a piercing
shrek, and clasped her hands over her
eyes.
The first horse had passed, the second
was abreast of the girls when that cry
rang out. The horse plunged, and in a
moment horse and rider crashed down,
and appeared to dissolve into the ground.
Some moments elapsed before Barbara
recovered her surprise, then she spoke a
word of encouragement to Eve, who was
in an ecstasy of terror, and tried to olsen
gage herself from her arms, and master
the frightened horse sufficiently to allow
her to descend. She helped her sister out
of the vehicle.
''Do not be alarmed, Eve. There is
nothing here supernatural to dismay you,
only a pair of farmers who have been
drinking and one has tumbled off his
horse"
In the meantime they could see that the
first rider had refined in his horse and
turned.
"Jasperv' he called, what is the mat
ter?'
No answer came. He rode back to the
spot where the second horse had fallen
and dismounted.
What has happened?" screamed the
boy.
Barbara advanced into the road.
s'Who are you?" asked the horseman.
'Only girl. Can help? Is the man
hurt?''
'Uurt, of course. He hasn't fallen into
a feather bed. or-by good luck-into
fnrze brake"
Then the man went to his fallen COM
rade. Give the boy the bride, and come
here, girl. Is there water nearE
None: we are at the highest point of
the moor
"Jasperw shouted the man who was
anhurt, "for heavens sake, wake up. You
know 1 can't remain here all night
No response.
1.-The blood is flowing from his head
eaid Barbara; 1T is cut. He has fallen
Oh q stone
what is to be done? l cannot stay"
''Sir," said Barbara, "of course you stay
by your comrade. Do you think to leave
aim half dead at night to the custody of
two girls, strangers, on moor?
"You don't understand" answered the
nau; "I cannot and will not stay" He
put his hand to his head. How far to
your home"
Halt an hour"
"Good heavens! Watt! always a fool:"
He turned sharply toward the lad who
was seated on stone. The boy had I'M
slung violin from his back, taken it from
its case, had placed it under his chin, and
drawn the bow across the strings.
The boy swung his bow in the moon
light and above the raging of the wind
rang out the squeal of the instrument.
Eve looked at him, scared. He seemed
some. goblin perched on the stone, trying
with his magic fiddle to work a spell on
all who heard its tones. The boy salts
fed himself that his violin was in order,
and then put it once more in its case,
and cast it over his back.
How is JasperT' he shouted; but the
man gave him no answer.
Half an hour! Half an eternity to
ane," growled the man. However, one