4. CHAPTER IV.
THE GORTONS.
Five years prior to the emigration of Deacon Wilder,
Mr. Gorton, a former neighbor, had, with his family, removed
to Kentucky, and found a home near Lexington.
Around his fireside in Virginia once had gathered three
young children, Robert, Madeline and Marian. Robert,
the eldest, was not Mr. Gorton's son, but the child of a
sister, Mrs. Hunting, who on her death-bed had bequeathed
her only boy to the care of her brother. Madeline, when
three years of age, was one day missed from her father's
house. Long and protracted search was made, which resulted,
at length, in the discovery of a part of the child's
dress near a spot where lay a pool of blood, and the mutilated
remains of what was probably once the merry,
laughing Madeline. As only a few of the bones and a
small part of the flesh was left, it was readily supposed
that the wolves, of which there were many at that time
in the woods, had done the bloody deed. Amid many
tears the remains were gathered up, placed in a little coffin,
and buried beneath the aged oak, under which they
were found. Years passed on, and the lost Madeline
ceased to be spoken of save by her parents, who could
never forget.
Marian, the youngest and now the only remaining
daughter of Mr. Gorton, was, at the time of her father's
emigration, fourteen years of age. She was a fair, handsome
girl, and already toward her George Wilder, who
was four years her senior, had turned his eyes, as toward
the star which was to illuminate his future horizon. But
she went from him, and thenceforth his heart yearned for
the woods and hills of Kentucky, and it was partly through
his influence that his father had finally determined to remove
thither. Thus, while Charlie, creeping to the far
end of the wagon, wept as he thought of home and Ella,
George was anticipating a joyous meeting with the beautiful
Marian, and forming plans for the future, just as thousands
have done since and will do again.
