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diff --git a/23214.txt b/23214.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..48cc466 --- /dev/null +++ b/23214.txt @@ -0,0 +1,1920 @@ +The Project Gutenberg eBook, Fostina Woodman, the Wonderful Adventurer, by +Avis A. (Burnham) Stanwood + + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + + + + +Title: Fostina Woodman, the Wonderful Adventurer + + +Author: Avis A. (Burnham) Stanwood + + + +Release Date: October 27, 2007 [eBook #23214] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-646-US (US-ASCII) + + +***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FOSTINA WOODMAN, THE WONDERFUL +ADVENTURER*** + + +E-text prepared by the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading +Team (https://www.pgdp.net) from digital material generously made available +by Internet Archive/American Libraries +(http://www.archive.org/details/americana) + + + +Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this + file which includes the original illustrations. + See 23214-h.htm or 23214-h.zip: + (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/3/2/1/23214/23214-h/23214-h.htm) + or + (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/3/2/1/23214/23214-h.zip) + + + Images of the original pages are available through + Internet Archive/Americal Libraries. See + http://www.archive.org/details/fostinawoodman00burnrich + + +Transcriber's Note: + + Minor typographical errors have been corrected without note. + + Dialect spellings, contractions and discrepancies have been + retained. + + The Table of Contents was not contained in the book and has + been created for the convenience of the reader. + + + + + +FOSTINA WOODMAN, THE WONDERFUL ADVENTURER. + +by + +A. A. BURNHAM. + + + + + + + +[Illustration: THE SHIP ESSEX SAILS FOR CALIFORNIA.] + + + +Boston: +1854. + +Entered according to an Act of Congress in the year 1850, by +A. A. Burnham, +In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the District of +Massachusetts + +Stereotyped at the Boston Stereotype Foundry. + + + + +CONTENTS + + +CHAPTER I. + +Description of Fostina's Home--Introduction of Herself and Parents +to the Reader--Aunt Aubrey--Sudden Calamity--The Two Brothers and +Lewis Mortimer--Introduction of her Uncle, and the Great Change in +Fostina's Life. + + +CHAPTER II. + +The Ship Essex sails for California, with Lewis Mortimer and the +two Brothers on Board--Fostina's Grief at their Departure--Her +Uncle's Family--Fostina's Dream--Rineldo Aubrey. + + +CHAPTER III. + +Rineldo and his Cousin--He seeks to win her Love--Fostina makes +known to him her Love for Lewis Mortimer--Rineldo tries to gain +her Favor, and is encouraged by his Parents. + + +CHAPTER IV. + +Rineldo's sudden Departure--His Return--He pleads in vain for +the Love of his Cousin--Sad Intelligence and the Death of Lewis +Mortimer--Fostina's Illness. + + +CHAPTER V. + +Fostina goes to the Village--Deception Unmasked--The Mystery +Revealed--Fostina makes her Escape. + + +CHAPTER VI. + +Rineldo's Surprise--Mr. Aubrey and his Son go in Pursuit of +Fostina--Visit to the Mountain and Cottage--Horrible Discovery--End +of their Search. + + +CHAPTER VII. + +Fostina pursues her way through an unknown Country--She stops +at the Village Inn--Conversation between the Landlord and +Coachman--Fostina again appears in the Dress of a Female--Her +Departure. + + +CHAPTER VIII. + +Fostina continues on her Journey--She arrives at a distant Country +Village--A Walk in the Forest--Visit to the Castle--Mistaken +Friends--A Mystery--Strange Discovery--Mysteries Revealed--The +Result. + + +CHAPTER IX. + +Discovery of the Plot--Escape from the Castle--Lewis Mortimer and +Fostina return to the Village--They meet the two Brothers--Conclusion. + + + + + +FOSTINA WOODMAN, + +THE WONDERFUL ADVENTURER. + + + + +CHAPTER I. + +_Description of Fostina's Home--Introduction of Herself and Parents to +the Reader--Aunt Aubrey--Sudden Calamity--The Two Brothers and Lewis +Mortimer--Introduction of her Uncle, and the Great Change in Fostina's +Life._ + + +Reader, are you a lover of Nature? And do you behold with pleasure the +wonderful works of creation, where the hand of Art has made no claims? +Then follow me to the quiet and pleasant village of S----, and visit +there the Mountain Glen, and you will see one of the loveliest places +which Nature ever formed, and which stands unrivalled for its beauty, +in this great land of wonders. + +Before introducing you to the leading characters whose history will +form the principal part of this work, I shall endeavor to give a faint +description of the beautiful scenery which this place commands. + +It is situated in the northern part of Massachusetts, not far from the +Connecticut River, which flows on in its winding course through the +valleys, among the hills, until it falls, like a rush of mighty waters, +into its deep basin below. + +Along these banks may be seen the rural cottages, scattered here and +there among the valleys, almost concealed from view by the deep +embowering shade of the forest which surrounds them. The traveller, as +he ascends a more elevated spot, will behold an extensive range of +mountains, as far as the eye can penetrate the distance. And while +contemplating the scenery before him, outstretched on Nature's broad, +canvas, his eye may involuntarily rest on the beautiful spot referred +to at the opening of my story. + +It was a lovely morning in June, and the sun slowly and beautifully +rose in the blue heavens, spreading out his sheet of golden light over +the broad canopy of heaven, scattering with the melting influence of +his rays the heavy mist and fog which lay spread over the valleys of +S----. There a scene of rare loveliness was spread out to view--rich +landscapes and sloping meadows, clothed in green, waving their heavy +burden in the morning breeze. The dew lay heavily upon the earth, and +the thick foliage of the trees sparkled with the glittering dewdrops +bowing their branches beneath its weight. + +Nought was heard save the gentle murmuring of the waters, which flowed +at the foot of the Mountain Glen. Sparkling streams pursued their +silent way, bordered by stately trees whose glittering foliage hung +heavy with the dew of the morning, and bent their graceful leaves to +meet the rippling wave which flowed beneath their branches. The lofty +oak rose in all its majesty, and spread its towering limbs around, as +if to protect the merry group which had collected under its shade, to +inhale the fresh breeze of the morning. + +A short distance from the mountain, on the western side, there was +erected a magnificent dwelling, called the _Cottage of the Mountain +Glen_. Beautiful and romantic was this place, to a lover of nature, as +he stood upon the lofty hills, and could see the blue wreath curling up +from the white cottage, nearly hidden from view by the thick foliage of +the trees which surround it. + +On approaching nearer this lovely spot, could be seen a winding +pathway, overhung with the branches of the willow, which grew on either +side, leading from the cottage to the mountain. Still further on could +be seen the cultivated gardens, forming a striking contrast with the +waving groves around, and rendered still more beautiful by the lofty +hills and mountains which overlooked the valleys below. + +The arrangement of the grounds and the architecture of the buildings, +all exhibited evidences of the superior taste of the owner. And when +standing on the rising eminence, and gazing upon the beauties of this +romantic place, we could but think that it was indeed the abode of +happiness; and surely it was so, for here resided the beautiful heroine +of my story, whom I will introduce to you as Fostina Woodman, one who +was destined to become the wonder and admiration of all that knew her. + +Here, in the cottage of the Mountain Glen, dwelt this lovely maiden, in +quiet and peaceful seclusion, with her father, three brothers, and an +elderly aunt, who, for many years, had been an inmate of the family. + +Mrs. Woodman, one of the loveliest of women, beloved by all that knew +her for her mildness and amiable disposition, had died after a long +illness, leaving Fostina, her only daughter, when but five years old, +to the care of her sister, who then took charge of the family. + +Mr. Woodman had, in his early life, been a tradesman, possessing some +property left him by his father; he invested the amount in goods, and +prosperity crowned his efforts with success beyond his greatest +expectations. He continued in his business until he had accumulated +what he thought necessary to complete his happiness, and then returned +to his native village, where he offered his hand and fortune to Fostina +Aubrey, the daughter of an honest gardener, who consented to their +union. + +Accompanied by his youthful bride, Mr. Woodman started for the far +west, to seek out a home for himself and loving wife in some secluded +vale, where, in peace and quietness, he might pass the remainder of his +days. + +After travelling a great distance from the land of his nativity, he +arrived at the village of S----, where he stopped to survey the +surrounding country. On one side it was rough and mountainous, solitary +and wild, while, on the opposite, could be seen cultivated fields +beautifully variegated with cottages and waving forests. Still farther +on, he beheld a lofty mountain about a mile from the village, which it +overlooked, together with an extensive range of country, presenting a +variety of beautiful scenery. Here he selected a place to erect his +dwelling, and called it the _Mountain Glen_, where, for many years, he +lived in possession of health and happiness. But alas, + + When in the midst of happiness, + How oft doth sorrow come! + +Consumption, that awful syren, had entered the joyous home of Mr. +Woodman, and marked his lovely wife for its prey; and although many +years elapsed before it effected its work, yet he well knew what would +be the result. + +Pain and distress had wrecked her feeble frame, and dimmed the lustre +of her once sparkling eyes; her step was feeble, her voice grew weak, +and soon her gentle spirit took its flight to a fairer and brighter +world, leaving to her bereaved husband four children, the youngest +their only daughter. With joy the father saw that she partook in a +great degree of her mother's gentle spirit. This gave hope and +consolation to the now almost heart-broken parent, who, as he looked +upon his child, saw the perfect resemblance of her departed mother. + +On the death of Mrs. Woodman, she gave up the charge of her children to +her sister, who watched over them with all a mother's kindness; with +careful attention she reared the tender plants left to her care by her +departed sister. + +Fostina soon completed her twelfth year, and her father with pleasure +witnessed the growing intellect of his child, and the superior talents +which she possessed. He bestowed upon her a liberal education, and was +fully rewarded for his labors as he beheld, with astonishment, the +rapid progress of his lovely daughter. + +Nor was Aunt Aubrey less pleased, as she saw her fair charge in all her +youthful beauty, possessing her mother's gentle nature, lovely in mind +and person. + + * * * * * + +Years rolled on in quick succession, and our lovely heroine had reached +her nineteenth year, beloved and admired by all who knew her, diffusing +love and happiness around to all that were blessed with her presence. + +At the commencement of my story, one lovely morning, she was seated +beneath a stately oak, with her brothers, and Lewis Mortimer, a son of +a gentleman residing in the village, who had ever been a constant +visitor and welcome guest at the Woodmans. An intimacy had by degrees +gradually grown up between them, and he had now become almost a +constant member of the family. Lewis had long felt a strong attachment +towards Fostina, and she, too, was not ignorant of the feeling which +existed between them. She had but a faint recollection of her mother, +although her father had often impressed upon her youthful mind the +remembrance of one so fondly cherished in his memory. + +Fostina had never experienced much of this world's sorrow; the +brightness of her sparkling eye and joyous countenance spoke the true +index of the soul within. From her infancy she had been cradled in the +home of indulgence, and received every care and attention from Aunt +Aubrey, which a fond mother could bestow, and she therefore felt not +her loss. Her father, too, had devoted most of his time, since the +death of his wife, to the care of her tender offspring. + +But O, how soon was the happiness of Fostina to end! O lovely maiden! +if the dark curtain of futurity could be raised, and thou be permitted +to behold what awaits thee in the distant future, methinks the bright +hopes, which now fill thy young heart with joy, would be forever +crushed! + +A sudden and awful calamity again visited the quiet and happy home of +the Woodmans, in the cottage of the Mountain Glen. The musical voice of +the gentle and loving Fostina was no longer heard to resound over the +Mountain. + +That dreadful malady, the cholera, which has struck such horror and +dread upon the inhabitants of our country of late, had long prevailed +in the village of S----, sweeping off a great number of its inhabitants. +It had found its way into the peaceful cot of Mr. Woodman, and marked +three of its happy inmates as victims. The once happy home was now the +abode of misery and suffering. Mr. Woodman, his youngest son, and Aunt +Aubrey fell victims to the disease which proved fatal in its course. + +Fostina and her two elder brothers were the only surviving members of +the unfortunate family, who were now bereft of their only remaining +parent and faithful nurse who had watched over them since the death of +their mother. + +Poor Fostina would have sunk under this heavy affliction, had it not +been for the kind attention of her brothers, and the ever watchful care +of Lewis Mortimer, who whispered hope and consolation to his gentle and +confiding Fostina in the time of this severe affliction. + +Weeks rolled on, and Lewis continued to remain with the bereaved +family, as they would not consent to have him depart. + +But, alas! as time passed by, our lovely heroine was doomed to a more +severe trial of her young heart's affections. + +Her brothers had long contemplated the idea of leaving their native +land for California in pursuit of gold, for which so many have +sacrificed their home, friends, and even life, without obtaining the +desired treasure. They had made known their intention to Lewis +Mortimer, and had prevailed on him to accompany them. In vain did +Fostina plead with them not to leave their home; but when she saw that +their determination was fixed, she endeavored to persuade Lewis not to +join them. She implored him not to forsake her, now that she was +bereaved of her beloved friends. He told her that the time of his +absence would pass swiftly on, and he should soon return with the means +that would repay her for the sacrifice during that short period. Again +he told her that he must obtain possession of that which he thought +necessary to effect their happiness in future years. + +O vain ambition! delusive hope! Too many there are who think that true +happiness cannot be enjoyed without the possession of wealth. + +Not many years after Mr. Woodman had settled at the Mountain, his +brother-in-law visited the place, and concluded to settle in the +village, which he did, establishing his residence a few miles from the +Glen. + +It had been arranged by the brothers of Fostina, after their father's +death, that Mr. Aubrey, their uncle, should take possession of the +Cottage until their return, on condition that he would take charge of +their beloved sister during their absence. With the kind assurance of +this from their uncle, the brothers took leave of their affectionate +sister, promising a hasty return to their mountain home. But now came +the trying moment to Lewis Mortimer and his beloved Fostina. The +thought of absenting himself so long, from one he so dearly loved, so +wrought upon his feelings that he almost gave up the idea of leaving +his native land. But the entreaties of his youthful friends, and the +desire for gold which filled his breast, together with the repeated +assurances of Fostina's uncle, that he would watch over and protect her +during his absence, induced him at last to follow them. + +Poor Lewis, it was a trying moment! The time had now come that he must +bid adieu to his fair betrothed! The lovely Fostina fell on his bosom +and wept bitter tears of anguish. He bid her await with calmness his +return, when they should never more be separated. One fond embrace, and +affectionate farewell, from the trembling lips of Lewis Mortimer, and +they parted! + + + + +CHAPTER II. + +_The Ship Essex sails for California, with Lewis Mortimer and the two +Brothers on Board--Fostina's Grief at their Departure--Her Uncle's +Family--Fostina's Dream--Rineldo Aubrey._ + + +[Illustration] + + +It was on the first morning in June in 184-, that the noble ship Essex +set sail for the distant lands of California, with a large crew of +enterprising young men on board from the village of S----, among whom +was Oscar Woodman, his brother Calvin, and Lewis Mortimer. Sad were +their feelings as they bid adieu to their quiet home in the Mountain +Glen, and gave a last, fond, lingering look at their native shore. + +But soon the bright visions of the future, which filled their youthful +hearts, dispelled the gloom which hung around them as they parted with +their friends. + +Long days and nights passed slowly away, and the good ship pursued its +course on the distant ocean. And often, in the dark and fearful night, +when the storm cloud gathered around, threatening to burst upon the +fearless and manly crew, often did poor Lewis think of his native home, +and his beloved Fostina, whom he had left behind, to seek a glittering +prize in a foreign land, fondly hoping that he might soon return in +possession of the long desired treasure. + +The grief of the devoted Fostina, after parting with her brothers and +Lewis Mortimer, to whom she had given her young heart's affections, was +now almost insupportable. + +After separating from her lover, Fostina retired to her room buried in +deep meditation; she felt as if she was now bereft of all her dearest +friends. All that she had held so dear in life, had been taken from her +in so short a period! + +O lovely Fostina! in all thy youthful beauty, when surrounded by +friends, and thy young heart overflowing with happiness, little then +didst thou dream of this thy unhappy lot! + +Mr. Aubrey removed to the cottage with his family, according to the +request of his nephews, which consisted of his wife and only son. +Fostina was now an inmate of her uncle's family, where she was treated +with the greatest kindness, and received from them every possible +attention which was in their power to bestow. + +Her aunt was quiet and gentle in her manner towards her, ever ready to +administer the balm of consolation to the broken-hearted girl, who wept +in the bitterness of solitude. In her moments of grief and sadness, she +would retire alone to her apartment, there to meditate upon her lonely +situation. At these times Mrs. Aubrey never failed to exert her utmost +endeavors to cheer her with words of kindness, giving hope and +consolation that happy days were yet to come. + +But, alas! the lonely maiden in the Mountain Glen had almost fallen a +victim to despair. Her merry voice, which had so often rung over the +Mountain like music in the air, was now no longer heard. The rose had +faded from her cheek, and her once bright eyes were dimmed with tears, +and her lovely countenance bore the traces of deep sorrow. + +In vain did her uncle endeavor to soothe her grief, and calm her +troubled spirit, that + + Sought for rest, but found despair + Companion of its way. + +Often, at the close of day, Fostina would wander forth to visit the +graves of her departed friends, who now slept in sweet repose beneath +the shadow of the willow, which waved its drooping branches above them. +Here, side by side, they lay, in the same spot which had been selected +by Mr. Woodman in life, where they might live in peaceful seclusion. + +Weeks rolled by, and the deep interest which Mr. and Mrs. Aubrey had +taken in their fair charge, and the great kindness which they +manifested towards her, had in some degree resigned her to her fate. +The ever-watchful care of Mrs. Aubrey, and the numerous favors bestowed +upon her by her friends, were now rewarded by the cheerfulness which +she assumed, when in the family circle. + +It was late one lovely afternoon in the month of August, the sun had +sunk into the golden west, and all nature seemed to be hushed in silent +repose. The shades of twilight had gathered around, and the lovely +Fostina wandered forth to visit the graves of her departed friends. +After remaining there a short time, she turned her steps towards the +Mountain, and seated herself in a pleasant nook, overshadowed by a +lofty elm. + +All was silent save the gentle murmur of the sparkling rivulet, which +flowed beneath her feet, and the graceful bending of the branches +around her, gently moved by the evening zephyrs. She was silent a +while, musing on the past and contemplating the scene before her, +recalling to her memory the many happy hours spent in this lovely spot +with the now absent and loved ones. She thought of the many happy +seasons passed in their society; and now what a striking contrast! The +bright hopes which had once caused her young heart to beat with joy and +gladness, seemed forever fled from her youthful breast! She leaned her +head against the branches of a willow, where she sat, and wept in grief +and sorrow. The shades of night had gathered round, and the lonely +maiden unconsciously fell into a quiet slumber. The moon had risen, and +now shone forth in all its beauty, casting its silver rays through the +branches of the willow which hung mournfully over the fair sleeper. As +the light shone upon her countenance, she seemed most lovely to behold. +A calm of quiet resignation had spread over her features, and she lay +like one + + Who slept--in sweet repose, + With angels hovering round. + +She slept, and dreamed the following dream:-- + + * * * * * + + FOSTINA'S DREAM. + + She thought it was a lovely spring morning, and her beloved Lewis, + with her, accompanied by her brothers, had left their home, to be + absent a few days on a visit to a friend who resided some miles + from the village. After riding some distance from the Mountain, + they heard the report of a musket, seemingly not far distant; the + horses suddenly took fright, and rushed on through the forest at + their utmost speed, throwing the travellers prostrate upon the + earth. When Fostina had recovered from the shock she had received + by her sudden fall from the carriage, what was her astonishment to + find herself at her uncle's residence, attended by her uncle and + aunt, with her cousin Rineldo watching over her! As soon as she + was restored to consciousness enough to realize her situation, she + earnestly inquired for Lewis and her brothers; and on being + informed that they had not been seen, she immediately rushed from + the house to the late scene of confusion. When she arrived at the + spot, no one was to be seen; she called, but no answer came to the + sound of her voice, save the echo of the distant hills. Almost + frantic with grief, she hastened from the spot to the Mountain, but + her friends could not be found; she continued her search, but in + vain; she entered the cottage, but could gain no intelligence of + the missing ones. The horrible reality now flashed upon her mind, + that some enemy had pursued them, and her friends had been taken + prisoners; the report which she recollected to have heard, + confirmed her in this belief. + + With this awful impression resting upon her mind, the distracted + girl threw herself down in despair; she thought of the mysterious + circumstances which had taken place on that eventful day, but all + was clouded with the deepest mystery. Night came on, and Fostina, + little thinking of the dangers to which she was herself exposed, + rose to renew her search for the lost ones, when she imagined that + she saw a light glimmering at a distance through the trees; a + second glance convinced her of its reality, and she turned her + steps in the direction from which she saw it. On approaching the + spot, she discovered that the light which she had seen issued from + a rude dwelling. As she ventured nearer, she heard voices within, + which induced her to enter. When she reached the entrance, she + rapped gently at the door; an aged man made his appearance, + manifesting great surprise on seeing the youthful stranger at his + lonely residence, at that late hour of the night. + + He looked at the sorrowful maiden with tenderness and compassion, + who seemed apparently in great distress. On seeing the kindness of + the stranger, she briefly related to him the circumstances which + had taken place on that day. + + He then informed her that a few hours before, a young man, severely + wounded, had been conveyed there by some persons unknown. On + hearing this intelligence, she immediately requested to see the + unfortunate stranger. With feeble steps the aged man conducted her + through an inner apartment, where, on entering, she beheld the form + of the sufferer, stretched upon a low bed. She hastened to the + couch, gave one glance, and found, alas! that her fears were but + too true. She gazed a moment on the pale and emaciated countenance + of Lewis Mortimer, and clasping her hands in agony, she uttered a + piercing shriek! + + * * * * * + +The violence of her grief caused her suddenly to awake, and to her +great surprise, she found herself alone, surrounded by midnight +darkness. After a few moments had elapsed, Fostina recalled to her +memory where she was, and discovered that she had fallen asleep, and +had been visited with a most frightful dream. She stood a moment in a +listening attitude, thinking that she heard the sound of approaching +footsteps; she then turned, and beheld a dark figure standing by her +side, and supposing it to be some one from the cottage in request for +her, she made an effort to speak without betraying any emotion caused +by her frightful dream. At that instant the dark clouds which had +passed over the moon suddenly disappeared, causing it to shine upon the +form which now stood before the lonely maiden, revealing to her the +well known features of Rineldo Aubrey. He anxiously inquired why she +had remained out at such a late hour, saying that her friends were much +alarmed for her safety, and had sent him in haste to the Mountain in +search for her. She made but little reply to this remark from her +cousin, and carefully avoided making any allusion to her dream. + +Rineldo now took her hand, and hurriedly led the way to the cottage. +Her heart beat violently, and she trembled in every limb. Her cousin, +observing her extreme agitation, hastened to the house, where, on +entering, they found Mr. and Mrs. Aubrey anxiously awaiting their +arrival. After assuring them that she was safe, she hastily retired to +her apartment, and threw herself upon the couch. + +But no rest came to the poor maiden; all night she lay in deep +meditation. She recalled to her memory the dream which she had while +asleep on the Mountain; each circumstance came up vividly before her +imagination, and it seemed like a strange revelation made known to her, +too awful to escape her memory. + +She arose the next morning at an early hour, and seated herself at an +open window which overlooked the gardens. Soon after her cousin came +in, and summoned her to breakfast; she arose and followed him to the +apartment with assumed cheerfulness, and soon after prepared herself to +take her accustomed walk. As she passed through the avenues leading +from the cottage, she was joined by her cousin, who, with great +kindness in his manner, asked if he should accompany her. After some +hesitation she consented, and they directed their steps to the +Mountain, which overlooked the Glen. After they had ascended, they +turned to take a view of the beautiful scenery which lay spread out +before them. Fostina soon expressed a wish to return, and her cousin, +observing her unusual paleness, readily complied; a few moments' walk +brought them again to the cottage, where they separated, Fostina +retiring to her chamber, where she remained during the day. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + +_Rineldo and his Cousin--He seeks to win her Love--Fostina makes known +to him her Love for Lewis Mortimer--Rineldo tries to gain her Favor, +and is encouraged by his Parents._ + + +A few days after the circumstances occurred which have been related in +the preceding chapter, Fostina and her cousin again met in the parlor. +He anxiously inquired of her if she had received any intelligence of +her absent friends; she informed him that she had not, but was daily +expecting a message from them. She sighed deeply, at this allusion to +her beloved friends, who were now far distant from her. She leaned her +head upon her hands and wept bitterly; her cousin endeavored to cheer +her with words of love and tenderness, and gently passing his arm +around her waist, imprinted a kiss upon her fair cheek. Fostina +thinking this a bold intrusion upon the sacred cause of her grief, +rose and left the apartment. + +The day was fast drawing to a close, and the lovely maiden again +wandered forth to visit the sacred spot where slept her beloved +friends. After remaining there some time, she returned and seated +herself beneath a lofty elm, which stood near the cottage, and turning +her eyes in the direction of the Mountain, she beheld Rineldo +approaching, who, on seeing his cousin, immediately came forward and +seated himself near her, in the mean time, expressing great surprise +that she had again ventured out at that late hour alone. + +Fostina made but little reply, and rose from her seat to depart; +Rineldo soon followed, not a little displeased with her seeming +indifference towards him, and the wish that she plainly manifested to +avoid his company. + +Fostina had ever treated her cousin with respect, and regarded him as a +friend for the great kindness which he had ever manifested towards her +since she had resided in her uncle's family. She now saw that, by +receiving his attentions, she was placing herself in a dangerous +situation. + +Rineldo sought every opportunity to converse with his cousin; he +declared his love and offered his hand, making every effort to win her +affections. Fostina in a resolute and determined manner made known to +him her love for Lewis Mortimer, which was forever unchangeable. +Rineldo, on hearing this declaration from the lips of his cousin, +passed the remainder of the day in silence, and made no farther +allusion to the subject. + +Towards evening Fostina retired to her apartment, and seated herself at +an open window which overlooked the gardens belonging to the cottage. +The evening zephyrs moved gently the branches of a willow, which shaded +the window where she was seated. The lonely maiden sat musing awhile, +and then, with a low, musical voice, she sang the following lines:-- + + "Mournfully, O, mournfully, + This midnight wind doth sigh! + Like some sweet, plaintive melody + Of ages long gone by; + It speaks a tale of other years, + Of hopes that bloomed to die-- + Of sunny smiles that set in tears, + And loves that mould'ring lie. + + "Mournfully, O, mournfully, + This midnight wind doth moan! + It stirs some chord of memory, + In each dull, heavy tone; + The voices of the much-loved dead + Seem floating thereupon; + All, all my fond heart cherished, + Ere death had made it lone. + + "Mournfully, O, mournfully, + This midnight wind doth swell! + With its quaint, pensive minstrelsy, + Hope's passionate farewell: + To the dreamy joys of early years, + Ere yet grief's canker fell + On the heart's bloom--ay, well may tears, + Start at that parting knell!" + +On the following morning, Mr. and Mrs. Aubrey proposed riding to the +village, and expressed a wish to have Fostina and Rineldo accompany +them. It was with great reluctance that she gave her consent, thinking +that it would be placing herself in the society of her cousin, whose +company she wished to avoid. + +At an early hour the carriage was brought to the door, and Mr. Aubrey +and his wife seating themselves, their son hastily stepping forward, +and taking the hand of Fostina, pressed it gently to his lips, while +with the other he raised the trembling girl to the carriage, and taking +a seat by her side, drove rapidly away. + +They soon arrived at the village, where they stopped at the residence +formerly owned by Mr. Aubrey; but since his removal to the Mountain, it +had been occupied by a distant relative. + +When they arrived at the residence of their friend, they were kindly +welcomed by the family, who appeared much delighted on seeing Fostina. +The day passed on very pleasantly, without any important occurrence, +and after bidding adieu to their friends they again returned home. + +That evening Fostina retired at an early hour, feeling as if her +troubles were increased, and that instead of finding friends, she saw +herself placed among those, who she had every reason to believe would +seek to destroy her happiness. The unceasing attention of her cousin, +and the encouragement which he received from his parents to forward his +advances, after she had made known to them her engagement with Lewis +Mortimer, deeply wounded the feelings of the gentle and loving Fostina, +who now felt as if she was alone, as it were, without a friend to cheer +her in her forlorn situation. She felt that she could no longer repose +confidence in those whom she had once considered friends, and to whose +care she had been entrusted by her absent brothers. + +As soon as Mr. and Mrs. Aubrey observed the cool indifference +manifested by Fostina towards their son, their former kindness seemed +changed to hatred and revenge. All feeling of love and sympathy, which +had been so strongly manifested, seemed forever fled from their hearts. +Mr. Aubrey appeared to have lost all memory of his departed sister, the +mother of Fostina, and would shrink as if from her presence, whenever +her name was recalled by her lovely daughter. + +Rineldo Aubrey was their only son, and had consequently received every +indulgence from his parents; and he now thought, by exerting his +influence over them, he should obtain their assistance in persuading +Fostina to accept his offer. But when he found that all their efforts +were in vain, he devised every means in his power to destroy the +happiness of his cousin. + +He vainly endeavored to draw her mind from Lewis, and convince her of +the improbability of his returning. + +Fostina's grief, on hearing this from her cousin, was beyond +description; she passed the most of her time in retirement, seldom +joining the family circle, and avoiding all conversation with them, as +much as her circumstances would admit; and when her situation rendered +it necessary for her to be in their society, she met them with calm +indifference and submitted with quiet resignation to her fate, hoping +soon to receive intelligence from her absent friends. + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + +_Rineldo's sudden Departure--His Return--He pleads in vain for +the Love of his Cousin--Sad Intelligence and the Death of Lewis +Mortimer--Fostina's Illness._ + + +It was late one evening that Rineldo entered the apartment where his +father was seated, and informed him that he had received intelligence +from a friend residing in the country requesting to see him immediately +on business of importance. He made known his intention to his parents, +and accordingly, on the following morning, he started on his journey, +expecting to return in a few weeks. + +Fostina, on hearing this, felt greatly relieved, thinking she should +now rest in peace and quietness during his absence. But the unfortunate +girl found no consolation; although she was no longer annoyed by her +cousin's presence, yet his parents were constantly endeavoring to +influence her in his favor, and without hesitation informed her, that +her future happiness would depend upon her marriage with their son. But +the determined girl, in a firm and decided manner, refused to comply +with their wishes, in accepting the proposals of her cousin, telling +them that she would never give her hand to one, while another possessed +her love. + +Rineldo had been absent several weeks, and Mr. Aubrey began to be +somewhat alarmed for his safety, when, late one evening, as he was +riding to the village, he met his son on his return home. He rejoiced +to hear that he had a safe arrival, and immediately turned and hastened +to the cottage. + +On the following morning the two cousins met, and Rineldo hastily +approached Fostina, expressing his joy on seeing her again after his +long absence. To this his cousin made little reply, and passed by with +cool indifference; he followed, and, with unusual kindness, asked the +pleasure of joining her in a walk through the gardens. Fostina remained +silent, and continued on her way some distance from the cottage. Seeing +the coolness with which he was treated, Rineldo turned his steps in +another direction, and after walking a short distance, he seated +himself in a little arbor, apparently in deep thought. After some time +had elapsed, he returned to the cottage and retired to his chamber. + +At the close of the afternoon, he hastily descended and entered the +parlor where Fostina was seated. With trembling steps he approached his +cousin, holding a paper in his hand which had a few moments before been +left in his apartment, and directing her attention to some late +intelligence, requested her to read it. She took the paper from his +hand in silence, and placing it on the table near her, rose to depart. +Her cousin seeing her intention, immediately rose and left the room, +pointing to the paper which lay on the table as he closed the door. + +Fostina, finding herself alone, returned to her seat and took the paper +which had been left, and casting a hasty glance over the contents, her +eyes fell on the following:-- + + LEWIS MORTIMER, of S----, died suddenly on board ship Essex, on + passage from Panama to California. + +The paper dropped from her hand, and uttering a loud shriek, the +distracted girl fell senseless from her seat. + +Rineldo, on leaving the room, had returned to his apartment, where his +parents were seated, who, on hearing the alarm, rushed to the parlor, +where they discovered Fostina lying insensible on the floor. + +He made known to them the supposed cause of her grief, and hastily +summoning a servant, assisted in bearing the apparently lifeless form +of his cousin to her apartment. + +Mr. Aubrey immediately brought restoratives, but there was little hope +of again rousing the consciousness of the unfortunate sufferer. + +Towards evening he called in a physician, who, on seeing the patient, +expressed his fears, which greatly alarmed the family. He remained +several hours anxiously watching over his patient, who now seemed to be +in a state of delirium, occasionally starting as if from a sudden +fright, and calling for Lewis Mortimer. + +The physician, on being informed of the cause of her sudden illness, +expressed his belief that her strength had been greatly reduced by +trouble and anxiety of mind, together with the sudden shock she had +received, and her recovery was doubtful. + +Rineldo, on hearing this, seemed greatly alarmed, and with unceasing +attention continued to watch over his cousin. She had remained +delirious during the night, and towards morning the physician took his +leave. On the following day she appeared more calm, and apparently sunk +into a quiet slumber; at the close of the afternoon she suddenly +started, and gazing wildly around, seemed conscious of her unhappy +situation. She lay a few moments as if to convince herself of its +reality, and then buried her face in her hands, weeping bitter tears of +agony. Her cousin attempted to soothe her grief, but she motioned him +from the apartment. Soon after the physician entered, and expressed his +joy on seeing his patient recovering. + +For several days she lay without making any allusion to the death of +Lewis, and bore her grief in silence; it seemed now as if the last ray +of hope was extinguished, and she well knew that Rineldo would take +advantage of her lonely situation to renew his former addresses. + +Several weeks had passed away since Fostina had received the sad news +of Lewis Mortimer's death, and she had now so far recovered her health +as to sit by the window of her lonely apartment. One morning, as she +was seated near the door, gazing at the beautiful scenery which +surrounded the cottage, she beheld the stranger who now occupied her +uncle's residence in the village, conversing with Mr. Aubrey. He soon +after entered the cottage, and when he beheld the great change in +Fostina's countenance, he seemed greatly surprised, and expressed his +grief on seeing her look so ill. Soon after he departed, her cousin +entered, and taking the hand of Fostina, pressed it to his bosom, at +the same time, seating himself near her, again declared his +unchangeable love, and offered her his hand. She told him that if Lewis +Mortimer was dead, none other should ever possess her love, and she +should regard him with no other feeling than friendship. Rineldo, +seeing her determination, arose and departed, leaving his cousin alone +in her apartment. + +[Illustration] + +The next morning, Fostina prepared herself, for the first time since +her illness, to visit once more the burial place of her friends. With +feeble steps she passed slowly on, until she arrived at the spot, where +she seated herself beneath the shade of the willows which waved in the +morning breeze, sighing mournfully as they swept by the sorrowful +maiden, who was now seated by the tomb, where slept the loved and +cherished ones. Here she remained for some time, as if holding +communion with the spirits of the departed and revealing to them her +sad fate. She summoned all her courage and fortitude to meet whatever +awaited her in the future, and then with an effort she rose from her +seat and returned to the cottage. + + + + +CHAPTER V. + +_Fostina goes to the Village--Deception Unmasked--The Mystery +Revealed--Fostina makes her Escape._ + + +One lovely morning, a carriage drove up to the door of the cottage in +the Mountain Glen. The coachman alighted, and hastily approaching the +door, rang the bell, which was answered by Mr. Aubrey. He informed him +that he had been ordered there with a carriage by the physician to take +a young lady to the village, at the same time taking a note from his +pocket and inquiring for Miss Woodman. Fostina had been seated near the +window of her room, while this conversation took place, and on hearing +the inquiry of the coachman, immediately made her appearance at the +door, and received the note from the stranger. + +She hastened to her room and perused the contents, which she found to +be an invitation extended to her by the friend of her uncle, requesting +her to come and spend a few weeks at his residence in the village. + +Fostina with pleasure accepted the invitation of her friend, thinking +that for a short time, at least, she should be relieved from the +annoyances of her uncle's family. She, therefore, without hesitation, +prepared herself, and in a few moments was at the door of the carriage, +which she entered in silence, without making known her intention to any +of the family. + +In a few hours the horses suddenly stopped, and the driver springing +from his seat, threw open the door of the carriage, and Fostina with +joy discovered that she had reached the home of her friend, who soon +made his appearance and conducted her into the hall, where she was +kindly welcomed by the family as the beautiful maiden of the Mountain +Glen. + +It was not long before a servant entered, followed by the physician who +attended Fostina during her illness; he met her with a graceful bow, +and expressed his joy on seeing her restored to health. + +The day passed very pleasantly away, and towards evening a servant +entered the parlor where Fostina was seated, and motioned her in +silence to accompany her. She arose and followed the girl, who +conducted her through several apartments, and then ascended into a room +above, and passing through a long entrance, arrived at the door of a +retired part of the dwelling. After some hesitation, the servant gently +opened the door, and invited her to enter; she obeyed the summons, and +the girl hastily retreated. As she entered, who should meet her +astonished gaze, but Rineldo Aubrey, seated on a sofa? She uttered an +exclamation of surprise, and turned towards the door, which she found, +to her extreme horror, had been locked by the servant. + +She now turned and demanded of him an explanation of this mysterious +conduct. He rose from his seat, and walked to his cousin, bade her be +calm, and he would tell her all. + +He then turned and parted the rich damask curtains, which hung in heavy +folds from the windows. The apartment was furnished in the most elegant +style, and a large table was placed in the centre, loaded with rich +viands; bottles of sparkling wine were placed upon the table, its +crimson dye forming a striking contrast with the rare fruits which +surrounded it. + +Rineldo approached the table, and filling a glass from one of the +bottles, drank at the health of his fair cousin; then placing a seat at +the table, requested her to partake with him the repast which had been +prepared for the occasion. Fostina made no reply to this daring +outrage, but seated herself in silence by an open window, and burst +into a flood of tears. She now trembled for her safety, fearing that +some awful plot had been arranged by her enemies, and was soon to be +put into execution. + +Rineldo now approached his cousin, and spoke in a low and firm voice. +"Beautiful maiden of the Mountain Glen! You are soon to be the bride of +Rineldo Aubrey, and this will henceforth be your home. Fair girl, make +no denial." "Never!" replied the heroic girl, springing from her seat, +and demanding him to open the door. "Not until you have consented to +become the bride of Rineldo Aubrey," cried a voice without; "until then +this room shall be your prison, and nought shall set you free!" + +It was late, and Rineldo, taking a key from his pocket, unlocked the +door, and bidding his cousin good night, he withdrew from the +apartment. + +Fostina was now left alone to meditate upon her forlorn situation; she +thought her doom was sealed forever. Must she be compelled to unite +herself with one whom she could never love? One who had sought by his +treacherous means to destroy her happiness, and who had betrayed the +confidence of her friends in executing his subtle plans. + +She knew there was but one alternative; could she escape? If so, she +might free herself from her enemies, who now sought to ruin her +happiness. + +She rose, and walked to the windows; they had been secured; two doors +which led from the apartment were also carefully locked. She again went +to the windows, but it was midnight darkness without; she then seated +herself upon the sofa, and calmly awaited her doom. Sleep forsook her +once bright eyes, which now were dimmed with tears, while, with patient +resignation to her fate, she awaited the return of morning. The lamp +shone dimly over the apartment, casting its glimmering rays upon the +rich tapestry that hung from the walls around her. There in youthful +innocence sat the once loved and loving Fostina. + +Morning came; it was lovely; the sky was clear, the dewdrop glistened +in the sun, and the sweet music of the birds made the welkin ring; but +still the lonely maiden sat. Sadness and gloom were spread over her +pale countenance, and the expression of deep sorrow rested upon her +features. + +The day passed slowly on without any intrusion upon her grief, until +the close of the afternoon, when Rineldo again entered the apartment, +followed by his father, who informed her that the day was fixed for her +marriage with his son, and bade her prepare for the coming event. He +then retired, leaving Rineldo alone with his cousin; he remained until +a late hour, and again taking his leave, hastily left the room. + +Fostina was now placed in the most trying situation, her only remaining +hope was the slight possibility of escape. She waited in silence until +the sound of voices had ceased in the rooms below; she then rose, and +went to the windows; they were secured, and all was darkness without, +as the evening before. No light could be seen, and silence reigned +throughout the village. She hastened to the door, and what was her +inexpressible joy, to find that Rineldo in his haste had left the key +remaining in the lock! Hope now filled her breast and gave her courage +to surmount all difficulties, which might befall her in effecting her +escape. With trembling hands she opened the door, and, listening a +moment, she passed on through the entrance leading from the chamber. +She then noiselessly descended the stairs, and after convincing herself +that all was silent, she groped her way through the midnight darkness, +until she reached the door of the hall, which she found unclosed. She +hastened through, now fearing that the door of the entrance was in all +probability closely secured. On approaching it, she found, to her great +delight, that it was bolted on the inside; she listened again, but no +sound was heard; then sliding the bolt, she opened the door and stepped +forth into the open air. + +Fostina now felt herself free from the iron grasp of her enemies; but +should she be overtaken!--the thought startled her. She gazed wildly +around, but no one was to be seen or heard in the village, and +hastening to the street she walked with hurried steps in the direction +of the Mountain. She knew, from the conversation the evening previous, +that her uncle's family were at the house of their friend, and, that if +she succeeded in reaching the cottage, she might effect her escape +without fear of being discovered. + +Urged on by necessity and the feeling of hope which now filled her +breast, the courageous girl fled swiftly on until she reached the +cottage, without encountering any dangers. She hastened to the door, +which she found was closely barred; then going to the window of her +apartment, she succeeded in raising it far enough to gain admittance. +But her situation grew still more alarming; it would not be safe for +her to remain at the cottage, for she well knew that her uncle, as soon +as they discovered that she had made her escape, would probably return +to the cottage, and if there, she must again fall a victim to their +treachery. + +The idea now flashed across her mind, that if dressed in disguise, she +might possibly escape her pursuers. With this bold determination, the +heroic girl hastened to her brother's wardrobe, and taking a suit of +clothes, soon perfected her disguise. She then procured a valise +belonging to one of her brothers, and hastily packing a suit of her own +apparel, together with a few valuable articles which had been given to +her by Lewis, took the portrait of her departed mother, and placed it +in her bosom. + +She now hastened from the cottage, closing the window through which she +had entered, and turned her steps towards the Mountain; and approaching +the brink of the precipice, she took the apparel that she had worn from +the village in making her escape, and which she had also taken with her +on her departure from the cottage, and casting it into the waters +beneath the Mountain, hastened from the spot. + +With deep thoughtfulness, and great presence of mind, the noble girl +thought that her enemies would search the Mountain in their pursuit, +and on seeing a part of her clothing floating in the waters below the +precipice, would suppose her to be drowned, and she would then be +enabled to escape with safety. + +Having thus far accomplished her purpose, she descended the Mountain, +and as the morning was fast approaching, she feared to enter the public +streets, and taking an unfrequented path which led through the forest, +she was soon far distant from her native village. + +Here we will leave the lovely Fostina, who had so far bravely effected +her escape, and return to her uncle's residence in the village, where +slept her treacherous enemies, thinking their victim was now safe +within the hall of security. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + +_Rineldo's Surprise--Mr. Aubrey and his Son go in Pursuit of +Fostina--Visit to the Mountain and Cottage--Horrible Discovery--End +of their Search._ + + +On the following morning, the family rose at an early hour, and hastily +set about making preparations for the marriage of the two cousins, +which was to take place on that day. Rineldo arrayed himself in costly +apparel, and ascended to the room of his intended bride. On reaching +the door, what was his surprise to find it open, and the key remaining +in the lock! He now recollected that he had forgotten to take it on the +evening before, and rushing into the apartment, and finding his cousin +was not there, he hastened below and informed his parents, who +immediately searched the house, but in vain. The family then readily +concluded that Fostina had returned home. Accordingly, Mr. Aubrey, +accompanied by his son directed his way to the cottage, but when they +arrived no traces could be seen of the lost one. They then hastened to +the Mountain, closely examining every place for concealment, but +Fostina could not be found. Rineldo then walked to the side of the +Mountain, and glancing into the waters below, beheld a shawl belonging +to his cousin, floating upon the surface. He instantly gave the alarm +to his father, who immediately rushed to the spot, where he discovered +that the fears of his son were but too true. + +With all the horrors of an upbraiding conscience, the father and son +now returned to the cottage. Rineldo, with grief and terror filling his +distracted mind, hastily retired to his room, feeling that by his +treacherous plans, he had caused the untimely death of his cousin. He +felt that in seeking to destroy the happiness of another, he had +committed deeds of the darkest hue, and must now live a miserable +existence for his awful crimes. + +Mr. Aubrey, too, felt the reproval of a guilty conscience; remorse took +possession of his breast, and he beheld in his imagination the form of +his departed sister standing before him, threatening vengeance upon the +murderers of her child. And the agonizing voice of Lewis Mortimer and +her brothers seemed borne to him in every breeze across the ocean, from +a foreign land, calling on Heaven to avenge the wrongs of their beloved +Fostina. + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + +_Fostina pursues her way through an unknown Country--She stops at the +Village Inn--Conversation between the Landlord and Coachman--Fostina +again appears in the Dress of a Female--Her Departure._ + + +Let us now turn to the beautiful maiden of the Mountain Glen, whom we +left on the morning after her escape, pursuing her lonely way through +the dismal forest. + +Morning dawned, and all Nature seemed animated with its approach; the +birds sang merrily in the forest, as if to cheer the lonely traveller, +who was now many miles distant from her Mountain home. She soon reached +an opening in the forest, from which she saw an extensive plain. Urged +on by the dangers which surrounded her, Fostina hastened on her way, +sometimes wandering along the forest, then again through a strange and +unknown country. + +The day was fast drawing to a close, the sun had sunk beneath the +western horizon, the shadows of evening began to appear, and Fostina, +weary and fatigued, had now entered a small but thickly settled +village. With hurried steps she continued her way, until she arrived at +the inn. Here she entered, and calling for a private apartment, was +soon conducted by the landlord into a neatly furnished room. + +After partaking of some little refreshment, Fostina summoned the +servant, and taking a heavy purse from her valise, which she had taken +on her departure from the cottage, she placed a large portion of the +contents in the hands of the servant, saying she should depart at an +early hour the next morning. + +Fostina was now left alone, and thinking herself safe beyond the reach +of her enemies, she threw herself upon the couch to rest. Soon after, +her attention was arrested by the heavy tramp of horses, and a carriage +approach the door of the inn. The bell immediately rang, and the +servant announced the arrival of the stage, and then for a while, all +was again silent. + +Fostina now sank into a profound slumber, from which she was suddenly +awakened by the sound of voices in an adjoining room. Curiosity induced +her to listen, and she discovered that the landlord and coachman were +engaged in earnest conversation from which she gathered the following. + +The driver informed him that, on riding through the village of S---- +that evening, he was told that a mysterious circumstance had taken +place on that morning;--that a young lady, residing at the cottage in +the Glen, had been drowned in the waters below the Mountain, either +intentionally, or by a fall from the precipice. It was also reported +that the friends of the unfortunate female had been absent on a voyage +to California, and a short time since, she had received intelligence of +their sudden death. This was soon followed by a long illness, which +left the sufferer a victim to insanity. + +The landlord expressed his grief, on hearing this sad communication, +and Fostina now had the consolation of knowing that the impression was +left upon the minds of her uncle's family that she was drowned near the +Mountain; and feeling still more safe than before, she composed herself +and again fell asleep. No other sound disturbed the fair sleeper during +the night; and at an early hour, the following morning, she awoke +greatly refreshed. + +She hastily arose, and taking her apparel from her valise, replaced her +brother's instead, and again arrayed herself in female attire. Then, +without summoning a servant, she left the apartment, and entered the +street, where she immediately took her seat in the stage, which rolled +rapidly away from the inn. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + +_Fostina continues on her Journey--She arrives at a distant Country +Village--A Walk in the Forest--Visit to the Castle--Mistaken Friends--A +Mystery--Strange Discovery--Mysteries Revealed--The Result._ + + +Fostina continued on her journey for several days, riding most of her +way in the stage coach, and stopping at the public inns at night. + +Nothing of importance occurred to our young adventurer, until nearly +two weeks had passed away since her departure. She was now a great +distance from her native village; and thinking herself far beyond the +reach of her enemies, she came to the conclusion that she could now +rest in safety, without fear of being molested. Far from her native +home, where the sound of no familiar voice met her ear, without a +kindred friend to sympathize with her in her lonely situation, roamed +the beautiful maiden of the Mountain Glen, to seek a home in a +stranger's land. + +It was a cold and rainy afternoon, and Fostina had been riding for some +hours through a country village, when the coach suddenly stopped, and +the passengers, among whom was our lovely heroine, hastened to the inn. +Here she remained for some days, where she received great attention and +kindness from the landlady, who, either from curiosity or friendship, +appeared greatly interested in the young stranger whose arrival in the +village had excited the wonder and surprise of all the inhabitants, and +had now become the object of inquiry of all who looked on her pale, but +lovely countenance, which wore the expressions of deep sorrow. Since +her arrival she had passed the most of her time in the solitude of her +apartment, occasionally wandering forth to a more retired part of the +village. + +It was at the close of a pleasant afternoon, that Fostina had ventured +out some distance from the village, and, taking a retired path which +led through the forest, she pursued her way a great distance in +thoughtful meditation. Night came on before she was aware of its +approach, and she hastily turned to retrace her steps; she wandered on +for some distance, but could see no opening in the deep forest which +surrounded her. It was late, and she knew not what course to pursue. +She feared it would not be safe for her to remain in the forest, and +yet there was no probability of her reaching the village that night. + +She stood a few moments in silence, and then turning in another +direction, she discovered a hill at some distance, to which she +immediately directed her steps. On arriving there, she hastily +ascended, and on reaching the top, discovered lights about a mile +distant. Armed with fresh courage and resolution, she now descended and +made her way through the forest, when, on approaching the spot, she saw +what appeared to be the ruins of an ancient castle. + +[Illustration: _Ruins of an Ancient Castle._] + +Curiosity led her to a closer examination, when she again saw lights +issue from several windows; this confirmed her in the belief that some +part of the building was inhabited. She then entered the gate, which +led to the entrance, and gently rapped at the door; an elderly woman +made her appearance, seeming somewhat alarmed. Fostina informed her +that she had lost her way, in returning to the village, and seeing the +light in the forest, she had succeeded in finding their residence. The +good lady, after hearing the story of the young stranger, bade her walk +in and be welcome. + +With trembling steps Fostina entered the castle, and following on +through a long entrance, she found herself in the presence of several +persons, who were seated in a small but neatly furnished apartment. On +being conducted into the room, Fostina found herself kindly received by +the family, and after briefly relating to them the circumstances, the +kind lady immediately summoned the servant, and a table was quickly +spread before the stranger. + +After partaking of the repast which had been prepared, Fostina remained +a while with the family, and then obeying the signal of Mrs. Cameron, +her friend, she was conducted through a long suite of apartments, and +entering a small retired room, bade her good night. + +Fostina, being left alone, consoled herself with the idea that she was +now among friends. She gazed with feelings of curiosity mingled with +surprise, on seeing the extreme neatness and great taste which had been +displayed, in the arrangement of furniture and other articles, in the +apartments through which she had passed, and wondered why this place of +seclusion had been chosen by her new-made friends. + +The exterior of the building bore an ancient appearance, and a part +seemed to have already fallen to ruins, while the interior appeared to +have been lately repaired, and well fitted up for the comfort and +convenience of its present occupants. + +Fostina, after recalling to her memory the circumstances of the +preceding day, soon composed herself, and fell into a quiet slumber. + +On the following morning, when she awoke, the sun had risen, and the +walls of the tower echoed with the sound of bells. She arose, and +hastily preparing herself, was soon summoned to breakfast with the +family, which consisted of Mr. Cameron, his wife, and servant. + +After remaining some time, Fostina made known her intention to depart, +upon which Mr. Cameron inquired if she was a resident of the village. +She informed them that she was a stranger in the place, and had stopped +at the village inn, where she had been but a few days. + +On hearing this, the family with great earnestness urged her to remain +with them; Fostina gratefully accepted the invitation, and, at their +request, promised to take up her abode in this retired spot during the +coming winter, thinking, in this secluded place, she might pass her +time in peace and quietness, free from care and anxiety. + +Weeks passed away, and Fostina continued to remain at the castle, much +pleased with her new home. During this time she had not revealed any +thing connected with her history, to her friends, who had never made +any allusion to the subject. Although Fostina had often observed that +there was something mysterious in the conduct of the family, yet they +had always treated her with the greatest kindness. + +It was late one evening, soon after the family had retired, that the +sound of voices was heard, and footsteps approaching the castle, +followed by a loud rapping at the door, which was immediately opened by +Mr. Cameron, who, on hearing the alarm, hastened to answer the call. +Soon after, persons were heard entering, and descending into a lower +room. + +Fostina, trembling with fear, hastily arose, and was on the point of +rushing to the apartment of Mrs. Cameron, to ascertain the cause of the +disturbance. But the fear of encountering some one in the passage, +caused her to remain silent. She listened, and distinctly heard the +voices of several persons conversing in a low tone. A few moments +elapsed, all was silent; she then retired, but not to rest; the +circumstances which had taken place that night, together with the fact +that the disturbance had caused no excitement in the family, gave +Fostina great cause for alarm. She lay in breathless anxiety until past +midnight, when she heard the same persons ascend from below, and take +their departure. + +At an early hour the next morning Fostina entered the hall, where she +met Mrs. Cameron, and inquired into the mystery of the proceedings the +evening previous. She informed her that report had long been current +that the castle was haunted, and as she had often heard the same +disturbance during the night, she was confirmed in the belief that it +was so. + +Fostina could scarcely credit this intelligence, but made no farther +inquiries upon the subject. + +The day passed heavily away, and Fostina observed that her friends were +unusually silent. Toward evening, Mrs. Cameron entered the room where +she was sitting, and asked if she would prefer a more retired room, +where she could feel secure, if again they should be troubled with any +supernatural visitations. She then ascended into a distant part of the +castle, and entering a small room, told Fostina not to give herself any +uneasiness, as she thought she might rest there without fear of being +disturbed. She then closed the door and descended the stairs, leaving +Fostina alone in her apartment. + +After retiring, she soon fell asleep, and lay for several hours, until +she was suddenly awakened by a repetition of the same noise which she +had heard the evening previous. She listened, and could hear the sound +of persons traversing the hall; but being now farther distant, she was +unable to hear the conversation. + +She listened attentively, as if to catch the sound of their voices, +when her attention was suddenly arrested by a faint groan, seemingly +not far distant from where she lay. + +She now believed herself to be surrounded with the spirits of the +departed. But not fearing any danger from this source, she again +composed herself, and raising her head from the pillow, looked +anxiously around the apartment, when, to her extreme horror, she +discovered a light issuing from a small opening in the ceiling above! + +She made an effort to rise, that she might discover some cause for its +appearance, when, to her great surprise, she heard the sound of +footsteps in the apartment above, followed by a long-suppressed groan! + +Fostina remained motionless, and could scarcely realize the loneliness +of her situation; she arose, and after pacing the room for some time in +silence, seated herself on the sofa, anxiously awaiting the return of +morning. + +Nearly two hours had passed away in silence, and Fostina rose from her +seat and walked to the window; she drew back the shutter, and +discovered that the morning had already dawned. She felt relieved on +its approach, and looking down from the window, she saw Alvin, the +servant, coming in the direction of the castle, and gently raising the +window, requested him to come immediately to her room. He hastily +obeyed the summons, and met Fostina at the door. After informing him +what had taken place, she descended with him to the hall, where they +met Mr. and Mrs. Cameron. + +Fostina again informed them what she had seen and heard during the +night; on hearing which, they seemed greatly embarrassed, as if wishing +to avoid any conversation to which the subject might lead. + +After breakfast was over, Mr. Cameron gave orders to have the carriage +brought to the door, saying that he was going to the village, and +should not return until the following morning. In a few moments the +servant appeared with the carriage, and Mr. Cameron and his wife +departed. + +As soon as they had left the castle, Fostina returned to the hall, +followed by Alvin, who now seemed anxious to improve the opportunity of +conversing with her. She soon perceived this, and earnestly inquired of +him the cause of the mysterious conduct of her friends, who, she +believed, possessed more knowledge of the haunted castle than they were +willing to disclose. + +Alvin remained silent for some time, and then rising from his seat, +closed the doors, and approaching Fostina, solicited a promise from her +never to reveal any thing which he should make known to her concerning +the family. + +She answered him that she would never betray his confidence, and +earnestly entreated him to tell her all he knew. + +Then seating himself near Fostina, he unfolded to her the mysteries of +the haunted castle as follows:-- + +He had been a servant in the family of Mr. Cameron two years, and had +resided at the castle, where a band of robbers had nightly collected +together for the purpose of dividing their booty, which they plundered +from the neighboring village. + +He then explained to her the cause of what she had seen and heard, in +the apartment over which she had slept, stating that, about two months +previous, a stranger, apparently an invalid, had been conveyed there +and confined in an upper room in the castle, in which he was still held +prisoner. For what purpose he knew not, as he had never dared to make +any inquiries of the family, and had not been allowed to hold any +conversation with the prisoner. + +After hearing this intelligence from Alvin, Fostina agreed with him to +seek an interview with the stranger, and arrange some plan to assist +his escape. They then left the hall and ascended together a winding +staircase, which led to the apartment occupied by the prisoner. On +arriving at the door, they found it firmly secured by an iron bar, +which Alvin, after several attempts, succeeded in removing. He then +opened the door, and glancing into the room, beheld the prisoner seated +on a low seat, holding a book in his hand as if engaged in reading. On +the entrance of Alvin, he fixed his gaze sternly upon him without +speaking. Alvin informed him that they were friends, and had come to +set him free, and turning round, he stepped back into the passage where +he had left Fostina, when, to his great surprise, he beheld her lying +senseless on the floor! + +Another instant, the prisoner rushed to the spot, and clasping the +apparently lifeless form of Fostina, he bore her to his apartment! + +During this time, Alvin had remained motionless, gazing with wonder and +surprise, utterly confounded by these mysterious circumstances. In a +few moments Fostina recovered her senses, and opening her eyes, beheld +the pale and emaciated countenance of Lewis Mortimer, who now clasped +her to his bosom! + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + +_Discovery of the Plot--Escape from the Castle--Lewis Mortimer and +Fostina return to the Village--They meet the two Brothers--Conclusion._ + + +Reader, behold now the plot of Rineldo Aubrey, who vainly sought to win +the love of the beautiful Fostina, and finding that he had a successful +rival, endeavored by his subtle plans to destroy his happiness. To +execute his designs more fully to his purpose, he had intercepted the +letters belonging to his cousin, from which he learned that Lewis +Mortimer had been unfortunately taken ill on his passage to California, +and concluded to return to his native village as soon as he recovered. +After receiving this intelligence, he hastened on his journey to the +place where Lewis was then confined by sickness, thinking an +opportunity had now offered itself for him to secure his victim, until +he had accomplished his purpose. + +Having arrived at the village, where, as it had been stated in the +letter, Lewis had been left by his friends, he called on the attending +physician, and offered him a large amount of money to detain him a +certain length of time; and in order to do this, he must be conveyed to +some place of confinement. + +The physician agreed to the proposal, and gave orders to have his +patient removed to the castle, as it was retired from the village, and +he thought he would be more likely to recover. + +Rineldo, in the mean time, wishing to leave the impression upon the +minds of his friends that Lewis was dead, accordingly had his death +inserted in the public prints, which soon conveyed the sad intelligence +to Fostina, the result of which has already been made known to the +reader. + +[Illustration: _Their escape to the Village._] + +After a mutual explanation had taken place between Fostina and Lewis at +the castle, they soon contrived plans to effect their escape, and +wishing to make their way through the dense forest which surrounded +them as soon as possible, they directed their steps to a stream that +bent its course along the forest side. Fortunately, they espied two men +seated upon the opposite bank engaged in fishing. Lewis, on seeing +them, instantly gave the signal for them to cross the water in the boat +that lay anchored near them. They cheerfully obeyed his call, and in a +few moments Fostina and Lewis were safely landed upon the opposite +shore. They then immediately took their way to the village inn, where, +on the following morning, they entered the coach and started for their +native village, Lewis being determined to seek out his enemies, and +take possession of the cottage. + +In a few weeks, they arrived at the village of S----, where, to their +inexpressible joy, they learned that the brothers had returned home +soon after the sudden disappearance of their sister, who, as it had +been reported by Mr. Aubrey, had fallen from the precipice in a fit of +insanity, and been drowned. + +With hearts overflowing with joy, Fostina and Lewis now hastened to the +cottage, where they met the long absent and beloved brothers, who, +after hearing from their sister the recital of her sufferings and +adventures, returned their grateful thanks to Heaven for the +deliverance of their friends. + +They now informed Lewis that, soon after leaving him at the village, +they fell victims to the same disease, and fearing that to continue +their voyage would be a sacrifice of life, they gave up the pursuit of +that which they must lose so much to obtain, and with happy hearts and +contented minds they resolved to return to their Mountain home, where +they fondly anticipated the pleasure of meeting with their friends, in +health and safety. + +Fostina then learned from her brothers, that on their arrival at the +cottage, Mr. Aubrey had returned to his native country. + +A few weeks after the lovers had returned to the village, Lewis was +restored to his former health, and Fostina having escaped from so many +dangers, now fulfilled her faithful promise to Lewis Mortimer, who was +indebted for his life and present happiness to the beautiful maiden in +the Mountain Glen. + + + +***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FOSTINA WOODMAN, THE WONDERFUL +ADVENTURER*** + + +******* This file should be named 23214.txt or 23214.zip ******* + + +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: +https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/3/2/1/23214 + + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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