Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1901-01-16

2
| from trees though excessively 70 igh and
broken, while huge boulder was lying
here and there. A little further on, a
hoarse and sulIen sound, like the rush of
waters, could be distinctly heard.
II was not long before the path dropped
so abruptly down into a deep glen that
had it not been for some bushes which
grew by its side, near enough to be with
in reach of the hand, to have attempted
to descend would have been dangerous as
well as d'-.icult. Here a scanty stream
could r.. seen tumblng down its rocky
bed, 'fhich, after crossing the glen, was
lost IN a narrow ehasm, so deep and
dar' that the eye could not penetrate
its depths. Alice, when she had accom-
plished the descent, became alarmed at
finding that Mildred was not present She
might, she thought, having become tired
of waiting, left, and she called her loudly
by name. There was no answer. The
dismal moaning of the waters Fastening
on to be swallowed up in the dark, mys
FERROUS abyss, and the whispers Of the
wind among the thick pines alone broke
thu silence.
With a feeling of terror she slowly APP
preached the brink of the abyss. A sim
gle ray OF sunshine, struggling through
an opening among the trees above, cast
faint giimmer ON its bleak waters. She
started back aghast for they mirrored
a human face, though so distorted were
its lineaments caused by the wavering
light, that she could trace in it no re-
semDiAnce to any one which she had ever
before seen. At this moment there was
:. rustling of the trees Immediately above
her, too loud to be oecasioned By the
slight breeze, then in motion.
Mildred has come" she murmured to
herself, with sigh OF relief. at the same
time looking ~ to the place where she
had heard TIE noise.
No one vas to be seen.
Mildred Mildred" she exclaimed, in
earnest IND excited accents.
There was no answer, and moving fur
Their back, so that she could have better
opportunity to =. sire again looked up
20 he place where she had hoped to see
Mild ed All at once a shadow came
stealing over her. blotting out the faint
and glimmering light which fell around
| The next moment a heavy hand was laid
upon her shoulder. Already wildly ex-
cited, a piercing shrek attested the ter
ror which seized her, nor when Gabriel
Guthry bent down over her. so that his
breath drifted across her blanched face,
did her alarm subside.
Release me-let me got' she exelaim-
cd. wildly. and struggling TO free herself.
At the same time she east a hurried
glance upwards to the verge of the cliff.
with the faint hope that Mildred had at
last arrived.
You will have TO look many times, if
| it is her you seek, who may be likened
to Jezebel OF old, who bowed the knee
| to Baal, and who decked herself with
| jewels and ornaments of gold"
How should you know who it IS / am
looking for?'' said Alice.
Gabriel's only answer was a grim
smile.
Mildred Dacres has been here and
has gomez" said she, when she saw his
smile.
when you see her you can ask her.
was Gabriel's discourteous reply.
Let me leave this place, Gabriel Guth-
ry," said she. 1T grows darker and
gloomier every moment"
why should you leave it,"
''I'm afraid
II have made a covenant with myself
and evil betde me If | break it-that
YOU shall not go hence till you have prom
ised me never TO he the wife OF Clarence
| Harlegh Yea, more than that: you will
never leave here till | have your solemn
oath to be mine
''r will neither promise the one nor the
other"
| You will change your mind before |
suffer you to go, for it has been revealed
| . vsf41 Ia b-,.t Al.
| brfde-not Of Clarence Harlegh, but of
a grim and ghastly bridegroom from
| whom you would be glad TO find refuge
even with me-
Il know what you mean" said she. and
with look full Of wild terror, She raised
her .yes to his.
The same frcnzicd glare was in them
she had often seen before. while his face
was frightfuIly pale and haggard.
Gabriel, have pity on me- said she.
falteringly. and holding back with all her
strength, for he was slowly impelling her
towards the brink Of the fearful chasm.
why should you struggle against
oath require
"Neycr,"
1T is We'll"
shy ihS TINS WAN q NhAufA tltpHlNlbl
he urged her forward till they stood on
the very brink Of the abyss.
search with your eyes its dark and
fathomcSs depths. Strain them TO the
utmost said he. for in them the other
bridegroom / named is ready 10 receive
YOU"
] - spare me- Life 5 sweet"
Choose between ais me and the bride
groom, DEATH
'-TScre is one whose arm is stronger
than yours On Him l call"
The words had scarcely left her lips
when deep. stern voice said;
Gabriel Guthry, what 90 sou theref''
lie knew that tae voice was Mr. Wal
worth's. and startled and oyerav-ed by
his unexpected appearance hc uBconsci-
ously relaxed his hold OH the arm Of
Alice. With 2 cry OF joy, and almost
at a single bound. she reached the foot
OF the precipitouS ascent which Jed from
the glen. The hand Of Mr., Walworth
was held down to help hee, ana the next
moment she was claspcd In his arms and
with her head leaning on his bosom. sob
bed c0nyuIsively.
Gabriel, meanwhile, did not stir from
the spot where he stool when Alice. made
her escape from him. II was wen that
she had the support Of her uuclv's strong
srm, Tor without his assistance her ply
steal powers werc SO exhausted that she
would have found II difficult TO reacl
home.
That evening, without exactly knowing
& Q ..F a, y,ts haE