The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1839-05-11
Number ?.

10 your devotional exercises So saying,
he retired, turning the key in the door of
cell
'Henriquez,' said Esterine, as she heard
the last faint foot fall Of the sentinel leave
the sounding corridor, have come to save
you
Henriquez started. He gazed Upon the
person who stood before him could he be
deceived that look--that voice no he
could Mott was his beloved Esterine, and
rushing into her armes, he pressed her 10
his heart.
'And you come to visit the condemned
brigand-oh, Esterine, how can | repay
your grateful love !--in few more hours
the green sod will be heaped upon my life
less corpse;, and cold shndder shook his
manly frame.
mo, Henriquez, rather say that few
more hours will find you at the head of
your comrades, to save the life of Ester
inc =
Alas it cannot be = replied the youthful
brigand, surely you would not remain
hostage within these damp walls 2
''Tis for that have come returned the
devoted girl; But, quick there is no time
to lose! dofF thy prison habiliments, and
array thyself in this disguise l have long
been anxious to see how convict costume
would become the frame of Esterine Ty-
Ier.'
Henriquez expostulated with her on the
danger of her situation, but TO no avail; she
seemed determined TO maintain the stand
she had taken; and Henriquez, seeing that
she could not be shaken in her purposes,
reluctantly conceded 10 her wishes,
Afterthey had metamorphosed themselves
in the change of attire, Esterine scanning
herself from head TO foot in broken mir
ror which hung against the dingy wall laugh
ingly SAID, This garb BELTS me as though
were a queen--whst's your opinion,
coz?
Henriquez was about to reply, when the
approaching foot fall of the sentinel struck
upon their ears, and Esteline, seizing him
by the arm, softly whispered to him, Hold
tight your chains--let not their clanking be-
tray us ! and falling on her knees, with her
face buried in her hands, she seemed devout-
edly engaged in prayer.
Again The huge door grated on its hinges
and the sentinel entering, announced ittime
for the pilgrim TO lake leave of the prisoner.
Henriquez unhesitatingly followed the sem
tnel to the door, and turning on the thresh-
old, mnrmured in feigned voice, God
bless the unfortunate Henriquez' A sti-
fled sob from the supposed prisoner, was the
only answer.
When the door had again closed, Ester
inc instinctively placed her ear to the floor
and listened attentively TO the receding
steps until they could be no longer distin-
guished, when to her great JOY she heard
the sentinel proclaim in his usual tone,
'How's the morn and Henriquez immedi-
ately replied, AIS WELL
Thank God' exclaimed Esterine, 'he's
past the Rubicon-and all is safe!'-and
stretching herself upon her pallet of straw
she was soon locked in the embrace Of Nor
pheus.
The morning of the fatal day had at
length arrived; and the glimmering stars
were fading on one by one, when band
of bandits were seen winding around the cliff
which led to the tower Of the condemned.
Henriquez was at their head-and anxious
ly did he await the orient rays Of the rising
sun, which was the signal Of his mistress
rescue, or of the death Of his valiant band.
Already did he hear the chanting of the
death sing floating on the breeze, and the
clear voice of Esterine, as if inspired with
hope, arose in prayer. The signal time
had come-each hand grasped its rapier-
i