Liberty advocate. [volume] (Liberty, Miss.) 1835-1866, 1838-10-18


we shall have for our long contemplate,
excursion 10 the cave"
At that, word, Frances shuddered an,
buried her face in her hands, but recover
ing herself before, Clara observed her
said, "True, Clara, | had forgotten it, an,
have a great mind now to remain a
home.n +, .--,-, ,v-.
"No, no, Frances, that must not be; yol
have already promised Charles, so d,
not, at this time, appear so whimsical il
his eyes.n iAJri5a# ITITc aol
"Well. let it be SO, then. I'll go, lie
what viii happen'"-and again a Sigh
shudder of sadness passed over her face
Gas Charles is to be protector"
$50 Their toilet by this time being finished
they left their chamber, and descending
the broad stairway arm in arm, TO thu
breakfast-room, Frances looked inquiring
ly around, and seeing no one but her father
ran, and putting her arms around his neck
kissed him and wept. l'f rauaw a. a
"Why, why, what is all this about
said Lord Barton 'what--only last NIGH
as sprightly as young iawn, and now
weeping like q love-sick maid; fe, fie
Frances; come, come, you know you are
for an excursion this morning, with your
mad-cap sister, and God only knows wha,
will be the end oft. "Demon's Caves" in
deed, for young ladies'; we'll, well, you all
have my consent, so amuse yourselves as
you can, and l'll keep house till you re-
turn"
''Oh! Pa" said Frances, ~ do not"
Here she stopped by Clara, who, run
ming up to her, took her by the arm, say
ing, "Come to the garden and let us find
our young knights;" and while walking
fast up the alley, they, on turning some
thick shrubbery, all suddenly met, face TO
face. "Good morning, good morning"
we're the quick salutations Of each. ..
"a fine day this for hunting demons
said Charles, laughing, ''is it not, Fran
ces?"
"Why should we wish TO hunt demons
said Clifford, "on so fine morning, when
we are already in Paradise, listening to
the sweet voices Of Angels?"
"Well done George, at your old school
compliments again, ! see. Ladies, you
owe him one, so suppose we postpone our
excursion to day, and put it of'till George
and myself shall first pay u visit to our
own ancient .elms, to see ir they stand in
the same old place as formerly" "
"Oh, yes" said Frances, sand them"
"''Come, come, my gallant knights" said
Clara, quickly, $50 you would prefer char
ging with lance at rest among old elms and
milk-maids, than show your gallant bear
ing in storming a citadel to please your
Lady-Love, and coming off victors with
spoils to lay at her feet;--ah, the bell
summons us to breakfast, so let us be in,
and not keep our dear father waiting for
us.'' 'a' 20. 'l. i'arl '.' G''' "i ''.wt
"Well, Clara, it shall be just as you say /;
we are under your command for this day,
at least" said Charles, bowling and smi-
ling at Frances-who with tears in her
eyes locked another way-"and at what
time will your dear iadyship set off" la
r"Atten o'clock, precisely, we leave the
Park, answered Clara. ra@ esnm
80 The breakfast passed without one word
being said, alluding TO the excursion, for
Clara with uncomon buoyant spirits kept
up u lively conversation with Clifford,
while Lord Barton and Frances we're lis
tening to Charles past adventures. As
soon as breakfast was over they separated
to make the necessary preparations, save
Lord Barton, who retired to his library to
read his letters and papers just received
that morning from England. Wilmore
and Clifford being soon equipped, took a
Strollin the garden. pa f ya.e"l 'ar
.a"Charies," said Clifford, 81 have been
seriously of our excursion to this
cave, and almost came to the conclusion
not to go; lit is not fear, but something in
wardly tells me not to CO. When it was
first mentioned, last evening, by Miss Bar
ton, an inward shudder seemed to Come
over me; it haunted me in my dreams, and
you know me too well, Charles, to think !
put any, faith in dreams, but droamt |
was in this very cave, and wandering
about, fell over something; on touching II,
found had skeleton hand in my grasp,
dropped it instantly, when the cave sud
denly became Illuminated, and The skele-
ton arose with a dagger in its side; IA wild
shrek was heard at a distance, accompa-
MED with noise like the falling Of heavy
rocks; pale, CHASTITY figure rushed to the
place where was standing, face to face
with the skeleton, and cried, slam his mur-
terer!"a Al that moment the cave seemed
% shake to its foundation, and loud yells,
md Kissing noises we're heard all around
ny senses were near failing me, and my
,yes became dim, but Of a sudden, new
ife seemed to stir within me, and throw
ng off the, heavy weight which seemed
or a moment SO expressing, looked up,
md, oh gracious God, Charles, thought
beheld my oacn father standing at dis
ance, bleeding, and pointing to the ghast.
lnl. k,NfI