The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1839-08-10

round her lips, that parting showed teeth OF
pearly whiteness-her light and graceful
6gure--the fawn like tmidity of her ap-
proach, and the look of interest which she
gave the young stranger, might have arous-
ed the attention Of more apothetic gallant
| than he.
=" BY mine honor, comrade," cried he,
"you spoke well in saying that the daugh-
ter of our host was fair. Wilt thou pledge
me, pretty maiden for on a soldiers
word, / have never had such 4 Cup-bearer
before"
The maiden touched the goblet with her
! lips, and the youth, raising it in his hand
exclaimed" | drink, to thee, fair Ellen, and
good, leal, and true may he be who kneels
at the altar with such a BRIDE" Then,
draining the cup, threw it down. "Thou
wilt not refuse knightly boon nor courte-
tesy," added he, rising from his seat and
drawing sparkling ring from his finger,
which he placed on that of the blushing
girl-and then, with the customary gallan-
try Of the times, drew her towards him and
kissed her cheek But he had whispered
something in Ellen's ear that drove the blood
from her face, and she stood petrifed.-
Her eyes glanced wildly round the room,
until it met the keen look Of the dark sol
der in the corner; the blood again rushed
over her cheek and brow, and she hastily
glided from the apartment.
The din of reveiry was over in the hos
telry-the soldiers slumbered on the bench
es--and the prisoner sal alone in the narrow
chamber in which his humble pallet had
been spread The dull tread Of the guard,
the howl of the blast, and the roar Of the
mountain torrent fell cheerless on his ear,
the sickly flame of the lamp seemed like
the warning hope, and the loneliness of the
hour added melancholy to his musings.
| Fool that | was" he exclaimed, +" to
have left the open heath for this paltry pris-
on house, where | am at the mercy of my
deadlest enemies. Would to God had
my good steed once more under me, and
the sword in my grasp, these prlckeared
dogs would hardly again vile me into their
lure Fool ! fool that was" he repeated.
as chatting Ikea prisoped tiger, he hurried
| EFeaga approacfttng--st cavalier suddenly
paused the door of bis apart
ment was cautiously opened, and Ellen
Wvnne, pale and agitsted, and bearing a
small lamp, glded noiselessly to his side
Her long hair hung disheyelled over her
heaving bosom, her eyes were glistened with
tears and her hand trembled as. she placed
the lamp upon the hearth.
"My fair Ellen," cried the cavalier, a
flash of Joy Frightening his features, Il
knew thou would's st not betray me-"
Betray thee" cried the maiden, clasp
ing her hands, "never, never but alas, to
aid thee exceeds my power"
"Say not SC" replied the cavalier, " the
eyes my pretty Ellen, that can break hearts,
can also undo iron bars. Is there no SOL
der of the guard that calls himself the low
er of Ellen Wynne :"
The maiden blushed at the question, but
answered without hesitation" There is
even such an one, but him | dare not trust;
and vet" continued she in musing tone,
" there was time when right blithely |
would have trusted Ralph Lloyd, but he Is
altered now. He folsook the banners of
Sir David Tudor to Join the army OF Crom-
well: and if he knew the rank of his prls-
oner the reward they have put upon your
head would tempt him to betray you"
"And whereforedid he change his par
ty, and why may he not be trusted Do'st
still love the soldier, Ellen
Love him no, no Inever loved Ralph
LLOYD; but there is one who would not be-
tray thee" cried the lady with enthusiasm
=" one who would die sooner"
"And who. or where is he 2" said the
Cavalier, smiling.
"Alas said Ellen, in tone of despon-
dency, she is far frsm here, and it would
90 hard with him if he fell into the hands
of the troops of Cromwell Bot | have
sent messenger to him, and were you once
beyond these walls, you would find Edgar
Vaughan and true and tru5ty escort.
u shall have small need Of his services
if | escape not ere Major Holdenburgh ar
riyes. to whom cannot be unknown
S'death, Ellen, couds't thou but procure
me brand, would even
Here suppressed scream from the maid
en- caused the Cavalier to pause, and turn
Ing 10 the door, he perceived the dark look
of the soldier, who at supper had SO close
lv watched him, fixed scowling and steadily
upon the maiden and himself. At that IN
slant the sourd of advancing horsemen were
heard. -, rr
They come they come y cried Ellen