Chapter I.

THAT STRANGE LETTER.

It was in the latter part of the eighteenth century. The dwelling was a plain frame structure, spacious, and of the style of that day (the second story projecting a few inches beyond the first), and was kept painted as white as snow. It stood in the south suburb of the then little city of Middletown, Conn., between two hills on the right bank of the Connecticut River, at the bend called"the Cove."The first break in the happy family circle was made by the departure of a daughter to another State to engage in teaching. Few letters were written in those days, and the postal service was a slow and small concern. But this absent school-teacher had written with much care and vivacity to the dear circle at home as regularly as the months came around. But now, for long, anxious weeks, no tidings from the absent one had reached that saddened home at the Cove."Why don't we get a letter from Betsey?"was often asked by the fond parents, the loving sisters, and thoughtful little brothers; but no satisfactory answer could be given.

The father would hasten to the city as often as"mail day"returned and watch for the ponderous stagecoach, but come back more moderately, with a shadow upon his countenance, and"No letter!""No letter!"would deepen the sorrow of the circle. One day the son"Siah"was sent, and in an unusually short time was seen coming over the hill with a speed so unlike a disappointed lad that the watchful mother was"sure the dear boy had tidings."Her lip trembled as she motioned to the father and called out,"Where's Esther? Where's Sam? Call'em all in. Siah's coming real fast; I guess he's got a letter from Betsey!""How he does ride!"says Hannah."Dear fellow, I most know he's got a letter!""Yis, yis,"says little sharp-eyed Sam;"see, he holds suthin'white higher'n his head."Sure enough, on comes the rider, flourishing in his hand the long-looked-for message from the absent one!

It was but the work of a moment for the excited lad to leap upon the block, throw the bridle over the post, and run in, letter in hand, vociferating,"Don't ye worry any more about Betsey; she's all safe and sound. See, it's in her own handwrite.""Yis, daddy, and stuck together with that same red wax you gin her,"says little Sam.

Ruth breaks the seal and finds a large sheet, and closely written. A glance from the father brings the house to silence, and she begins to read. Never a letter began with more tender words or in a sweeter spirit; but all sounds so precise and awfully solemn that the voice of the reader falters; tears fill the eyes of the mother and sisters; the father turns pale; little Sam looks frightened and grips his mother's arm, while Josiah sobs aloud. But the resolute reader moves steadily on, and only breaks down when she reaches the name,"Your loving daughter and sister, Elizabeth Ward."

The se words stung that proud father to the quick. To hear his darling's name attached to such a letter, and find his cherished plans thwarted forever, was more than he could endure. He arose in a paroxysm of wrath and left the house. The mother, watching him, became greatly alarmed, for she had never seen him so angry.

As the boys lead the horse to the stable the girls take the letter to their room, where they weep much, pray some, and read over and over again that strange document.