The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1845-10-30
member so Characteristic of that sex p said Mel
wvp earcact;callv


wyn, sarcastically.
Anna, who had but partially recovered from her
swoon when wresied from the arms Of Edmund
and who had taken il for granted tina, both he and
her father had been the victims of Melwvn's
limitless fury, implored the cheftain. in accents
which were repeatedly interrupted by the ire
pressible grief which sweed her gentle bosom.
and which vented itself in an ocean Of tears. to
terminate her life that instant, as an act of tender
mercy.
A few hours of solitary dungeon will perhaps
bring thee to thy senses, and cure thee Of thy re-
CARDS for Edmund; if not, shall then wed thee
per force = said Mewyn; and so saying, he drag
ged the agonized Anna to a gloomy cell, in which
ne was wont to incarceraie The persons of those Of
ms vassals who had incurred his dspleasure
The enraged chieftan then despatched spe-
cial messenger for priest to unite hin, and Anna
together In marriage, but being some distance from
home. several hours elapsed before his services
could be obtained
Emerson and Edmund, who though wors,ed
IN the conflict between them and Melwyn's party.
had been permitted to enjoy their liberty unmo-
Tested alter the latter had decamped with Anna,
began 10 muse on the calamity which had befallen
them, and TO think whether or not it was within
the range of possibility To do anything for the re-
covery OF the person OF the bride.
Edmund was intimately acquainted with The
localities of Melwyn's castle and its vicinity, and
knew that after sunset there was one part of i,s
walls defended only by one person, which to ad-
venturous spirits it would be perhaps practicable 10
scale, and if they could succeed in this. and slav
the sentinel; they might undiscovered enter the
castle ITSELF and yet rescue Anna from the hauqh
~ chiefiain.
The project wore sufficiently desperate aspect:
hut Edmund-yes, and Emerson too, though com
parativey advanced in years, were both in that
reckless state of mind, which fitted them to un-
der,ake any enterprise within the confines of prac-
tcabty.
Calling to their assistance, and acquainting them
with their project, tho most spirited of those of
Emerson's vassals WIN had survived the recent
conflict, the bridegroom and the brides father ac
cordngly armed themselves al everv point and
FASTENED towards the neghborhood of Melwyn's
walled castle.
The sun had buried himself below the western
horizon two hours before they left Emerson's hall
on their adventurous purpose. The nipht was
exceeding dark hours had TO eapse before the
moon would show her vsage and not one of the
countless lesser luminaries, which at other times
bestud and sparkle in the armament was visible
to the eye; all were enshrouded from mortal gaze.
by one apparently vast cloud. Emerson. Edmund.
and their party, amounting in all to twelve ar
rived at the part of the wall they were to attempt
to scale, and of the allest and soutest of their
number placed himself in the position best adaped
for enabling the others to avail themselves of the
assistance of his shoulders in endeayoripg 10 scale
II. Edmund with sword in hand, was the first
to make the attempt, and on reaching the summit
was astonished to find there was no sentinel there
Impressed with the idea, from the different voices
he heard on the oniside-and not being able from
the pIichy darkness of the night To correct his err
ror-that there were vast number of reonlarlv
| organized beseigers, the sentinel instead of stand
ing to his post ran to the CASTLE for the purpose
OF giving the alarm.
The remaining ten instantly followed Edmund
but the eleventh, not having anv one to assist
him TO scale the wall was necessitated 10 remain
outside. Edmnnds party were at the castle al
most coniemporaneously with the sentinel, and at
the most impo rtant part of it before him.
The brilliant illumination visible in one of the
most spacious apartments led them Immediately
to 1t. Edmund unceremoniously burst open the
door, rushed in, and was followed by Emerson
and others. There exhibited to their aston
ished gaze, the spectacle of Anna in her bridal
robes. pouring forth the agonies of her heart in
deep fetched rapidly succeeding sobs and torrents
OF tears, and being supported by one of Mewyn's
sisters The lord of the castle held her snowy
white hand In hs-aronnd was numerous par
ty-and the priest. who had arrived but few
minutes before, had just enunciated the first SEN
tence of the matrimonial service
Villain! exclaimed Edmund with his eve
directed to Melwyn, and flashing a, the same
time with 6onndIess Indignation and as he Mt
tered the epithet, he rushed towards his hated
foe, and ere the latter had time TO use weapon
in his own defence, he sheathed his sword in his
bosom
MeIwyn fell PROSTATE upon the floor. but such
was the jealousy and deadly anmosity he bore
towards Edmund, that though he survived but
two minutes thereafter. he partially rose I'D.
seized his dagger, and aimed it at the breast of
Anna, eXclaming at the same time, under the i'm
preston the thrust was successful
MOI shalt thou, sconndrel, enjoy her eilher:'
but Edmund had already seized her in his arms.
aud the thrust which was made at her proved
| mortal to Melwyn's own brother, who, in the con-
fusion OF The moment, occupied the place on which
Anna had stood but moment before
Entering the castle of Melwyn thus unexpect
| edly, and finding its inmates anticipating scenes
OF iesiivly rather than of mortal conflict, Edmund
and his party found no difficulty -not even resist
ance-in carrying off Anna in triumph. The on
Iy obstacle was the massy iron gate fronting the
castle. but sufficency Of it was instantaDeously
demolished to admit of their exit.
They reached home in an hour or two tbereaf
Ter, and on the following day Edmund and Anna
again approached the hymeneal altar, were unit
ed together, and spent the remainder Of their days
in peace and happiness