Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1841-05-29

StutN VI HSi hCul UbE Oh IpT
imprudence in suffering herself to love an
Unknown stranger, and determined her to
learn that very day from her lovers lips his
name and station in life. Ali pitiablc in
deed were her feelings as she reflected on
her folly. But flood of tears afforded
her partial relief, and calling for Ruth to
accompany her she set forth into the forest.
What glorious old place was the royal
hunting ground. For miles before YOU
stretched n succession of hills and dales.
covered with venerable and gigantic trees,
or spreading out into rich meadows: while
herds of deer might be seen trotting far off
through the vistas of the forest, and here
and there cottage peeping out from be-
meath the verdant foliage. In some places
the dark overshadowing trees conn letely
obscured the Ii yht of day, and in others,
the sunbeams struggling between the leaves
glded the green sward beneath. Such
was the scene through which Margaret
took her way, until she reached the open
glade, where, of late, she had met her lover.
Scarcely had she emerged from the sur
rounding woods before he sprang to her
side, and in moment she was in his arms
"We meet again, dearest" said he, kiss
ing the fair cheek that bluShed crimson at
his caress
"And fear, for the last time said Mar
garet, "my father has sent for me, and to-
morrow leave this place OH when" and
she looked into his eyes with all woman's
tenderness, 'shall we meet again.
"Going-and so soonr' muttered her low
err, abstractedly, "why dearest, why did YOU
not tell me of this before!'
"It was but this morning that heard of
it. Alas! that we should part so soon"
"But how know you, sweet one. that we
must part!" said her lover half smilingly
1t recalled to Margarels mind her deter
mination to learn her lovers history.
Why" said she, "are you not mere"
and her voice faltcred, "a mere soldier of
fortune, perhaps" and again she faltered
and looked down, ian outlaw! Can you
follow mel Oh! would you could and the
unhappy maiden burst into tears.
"And why not, dear Margaret, Have
not good men and true, at times, been driv-
en- to the greenwood for temporary live
lihood. Know you not how the good Earl
of Huntingdon long kept wassaiI under the
trees Of old Sherwood with his mcrric
menu"
"Oh! then say you are like him--say YOU
are not an outlaw Did you but know how
my heart reproves me for all this-how |
weep TO think that my father will never
forgive me, and how my only consolation
is in your love. did you know all this. you
would keep me in suspense no longer
Her lover was deeply moved by her pas
sionate entreaties, and pressing her to his
bosom. kissed the tears from her check. and
soothed her agitation by those words com
ing from one we love. lie seemed too
about to speak; but if so, he was prevented
by a sudden baying of hounds, mingled
with loud and approaching shouts, and d.
rectly couple of dogs followed by their
keepers dashed out of the neighboring
copse. Margaret, terrified and agitated
hastily followed whittier her lover pointed
and retreated into the shadow of a cluster
of oaks, followed by Ruth. She had
scarcely done so unpcrceived, when the
keepers rushed upon her lover, shouting,
"Down with him--the outlaw-down
with him."
Frightened almost out of consciousness,
she could only see that her lover attempted
what resistance he could, and after short
but fierce contest he was overpowered. al
most unarmed as he was, and borne to the
ground. With all woman's devotion she
rushed forward to his protection. But she
had scarcely made a step before she strug-
gled and tainted. Ruth, too was SO alarmed
as to be of little service; yet while, with
trembling hands, she assisted to recover
her mistress, so fearful was she of being
discovered, that she would scarcely suffer
herself to breathe,
"Oh! Ruth" were the first audible words
of her mistress "what have they done with
him? Are they gone! Why did YOU not
try to save him!"
"Alas! dear lady, it would have been in
vain," said Ruth, mingling her tears with
those of her mistress, what could |, or
both of us have done, for one who had bro
ken the forest laws!"
CHAPTER ".