The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1845-04-05
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
THE OUTLAWS CRAG.

w VIC VdlIy Palt VI VIC It'SH VI lue RUOu
King James,lhat party of horsemen wound
slowly along the narrow pass leading 10 the
Castle Rothscommon After proceeding in
silence for some distance, the leader of the
party suddenly exclaimed to his compan~
IONS;
BY the road, Osmond but the air is keen
and biting on The bleak hills this morning,
1t has almost chilled the very marrow in
my 5ones, so that my limbs are as stiff as
any lance in Chlistendom.'
! Il marvel much that one bent upon so
bonny an errani as yours. should feel the
wintry blast MetEinks lhou wilt make n
sorry bridegroom returned his compar-
Ion.
A truce to thy jesling, answered the
first speaker, who waJ none other than Sr
Rupert Sterling; together with his cousin
IOSmoad and attendants, journeying to the
Castle Rolhsrommon, the lovely heiress Of
VIII ch Sir Rupert was about TO wed.
The Earl, her father, had it long in con.
temptation TO wed his daughter, as old age
vas fast creeping upon him,he was anxious
TO see her provided with a suitable protector
before he should be called away. With this
idea he had protTered her in marriage to Slr
Rupert some months previous TO the open
ing of our oiy.-Although he had bu
seldom seen bis intended britehe playfully
accepted the offer,for the fame Of the gen,l,
Alice had often been spoken of in his pre-.
sence. Many sUtprs, both fair and noble
had been rejected by her, and this ofIe
from her father was an honor he did no
fail to accept
The news of this step taken by her (ahe
was received by Alice with deep emotion
and surprise, which was attributed BY bin
natural u,nduy and maiden reserve
which would soon wear away and Civ,
place to more joyful feelings. She replied
0 her father that her destiny was in his
ands, and whatever be his choice it wouIC
)e her duty; as an Obedent child, to obey
Spoken like good child, and | vii
warrant thou will be pleased with thin,
Intended husband ,as he is fair snd coney
IalIant to look upon, one who cannot be
matched with short sword or lance in al
Chrislendom He will be here l'
claim his pretty BRIDE this day three weeks,
so my daugher make all Preparations 10
receive him in a manner becoming ht
nelress Of Rothsrommon.
so soonn SAID Alice with a start and a.
an ashy paleHess spread over her beautiful
features. 'Why this haslel Ny dear father
this announcement Is unexpected the posi-
lion should occupy is novel one; | shall
scarce find time to prepare myself for the
important even. besceeh thee grant me
a longer novilale.'
i is impossible, my daughter, the da,
has been'sppolnted, and Sir Rupert is Il,
take up his residence with us some tim,
previous to the happy day; so that he ma!
have an opportunity Of becoming better sc.
Quqined with his future wife. doubl no.
but he is on his way hilher.
Alice towed meekIy n silence and with
drew 10 her own chamber to brood IN soIitud,
IN the inevitable destiny that awaited her
She threw herself upon couch and urs
INTO tears
:Oh, Oscar! Oh, O,csr!' she exclaimed,
mine own beloved long lost one, would
that thou vert here 10 advise me in thu
dire extremity! Oh, cruel, cruel fatep And
another burst Of tears relieved her overbur
dehed heat.
Oscar RuthVan was an orphan, raised ant
educated in The family of the Earl from
the age of ten years;his father was slain BY
The Saracens during the wars OF Palestine
whittier he had gone to defend the Holy
City fiom the insults OF Inc infdel his
moi iher, delicate sensitive being, could
i'll Withstand The shock, and afIer shor
illness followed her husband to the grave,
leaving their only child an orphan, exposed
10 the hardship and buletings Of the world,
The Earl, learning Of his desola,e condition
took him into his family and adopted him
as his son.