The Democratic pioneer. [volume] (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1845-1853, 1845-12-05

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truth was unmist,keable, or Vaughan
knew nothing Of physiognomy. But what
if there were no draggoons at the post
when she arrived! These thoughts agita'
ted Vaughan continually.
~ will die to save her. and IL needs be,
he inv ardly swore, 81 will preserve her
from proclamation By sacrificing her with
my own hand"
With these bitter reflections Vaughan
followed his commander, his heart tor.
mented nrSs by despair, and now pacihed
by hope. At length lIeadley farm broke
on their sight. Our hero looked eagerly |
in tie direction whence the Dragons, Ii !
coming, would appear, but none were in
sight. 1t was jus, as evening closed and
| all arouud wore a calm and peaceful look
He turned, sick at heart, to gaze on the
old homestead:-an and when Vaughan tho't
of the desolation soon to fall on that now
happy household his excited feelings could
scarcely be controlled. But he felt the
necessity of dissmulation, If he would a
tempt even to save Emily.
"Forward--trot," )" said the voice af Har
ding at this moment having returned from
a reconnoisance Of the building, which he
found as he expected, wholly unprotected,
then, as they reached the lawn before tie
house, he shouted, in voice which frs
told the household of his approach, 'bslN'
"Instantly the men drew in their reins
while the hasty barring of doors was heard
from the house. 1t was out the work OF
a moment, however for the assailants I,
!; dismount, and before long the hall door
} had given way before an axe which one
. of the troopers carried, though not until
a shot had been fred from an upper win
dow.
"Our motto is beauty and booty" shout
t ed Harding, as the door fell in. "Spare
, none, and avenge your falleD comrade. .
4 With these words he dashed towards the
. staircase leading to the apartment whie
Vaughan. knew TO be occupied by Emily
s The crisis for which he had breathless
d iy awaited ever since the attack began
d had nav. come; ond regardless of the per
'e il, Vaughan sprang after his leader, de
'e termined to sell his life or Illustrate Har
a dng's designs. Almost together they a:
10 cended the staircase. The moment W:
ot one of terrible interest. The hand of tt
el an was on the lock Of Emily's door
that door which had been sacred hithert
er even from Vaughan's approach-when OF
to hero arrested il by blow with his sabr
- which would have severed Harding's ham
IN had he not caught the fash Of steel at
sprang back
CHA! traitor!" he said, ,comprehendir
i'd every thing at glance, yet half astonls
st; ed at the discovery, "then take that!' al
re he levelled pistol at our hero, who save
a his life only by knocking up the weapc
et with his blade. In an instant the Two e.
ch cited men had crossed blades. Harding {
at rious at the discovery that he had harbo
be ed a spy, and Vaughan thirsting for
or blood as the only chance to save Emil
By this time the refugees were pour
ost up the staircase, and. for moment, .h
"a paused in astonishment at the spectat
me of this unexpected combat. But it W
only for an instant. Recovering fre
in- their surprise, they threw themselves
ng Vaughan, who was disarmed and bour
ly, after many wounds. He expected not
m. ing further now than immediate dea
ed nor did he wish to live. Since he co,
er, not save Emily, he desired TO die.
would have blessed any one who would ha
er. put an end to his existence. ooh! why {
re- nv good blade fail me?' he said. "W
me- could not finish the miscreant!" To
his to his distress, one of the servants who /
ask been dragged into the hall, had recog
zed him and revealed his name.
ing s,You are lover, then, OF this fair b
our within, as we'll as traitor and spy" 81
End Harding, hoarse with passion, and m
apt with the pain of the wounds he had rec
to we'd from Vaughan's sword; "then J
led shall witness how she shall be my lem
ich ere you die."
la Vaughan wtithed in mental agony
Already be seemed TO behold bis betro
ere ed struggling in the foul arms of the ruth
itch "For Gods sake," he implored, "Tort'
our me-do what you will with me--but sp
fail Miss Headley."
and The villain answered by laying hold
,ut, the door knob, but as he did this, bul
whstled in the air, and he fell dead. p
ing ced by pistol ball from an unseen ha
on As he fell; huzza arose from the stairc;
we'll which was now seen full Of men in the
lar. tire of American draggoons.
,up. "Huzza--we have them now in ira
tion shouted a steDtorian voice, which Vau
ose. an recognized as that of his command
sin officer; "no quarter, my lads--cut Il