Chapter 16

_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.