Ypsilanti sentinel. [volume] (Ypsilanti, Washtenaw Co., Mich.) 1843-1900, 1846-12-09

|
senger while Harding is here" said Kitty, she
sides, we have nobody to trust; but | can tell
YOU what can be done. There is a fast animal
in the stable, and am q good rider; I-will wait
till YOU set out, when, by hard gallopug, may
reach the outpost and give timely warning-at
least will spare neither whip nor spur
'There was detachment at the post when
/ Left said Vaughan. sPray heaven they may
be there yet, for your scheme Is the only feasible
one"
Their further conversation was interrupted by
the appearance of Harding himself, who eyed
Vaughan suspicioasly, and ordering hlm gruilly
to leave the room. Our hero could but OBEY
He trembled for the fidelity of his accomplish,
however, as he went out he saw Kitty begin
banterinp conversation with the freebooter.
His companions were already busy in prepa-
ring for their ride, and Vaughan Immediately
occupied himselfin saddling his horse. lie had
scarcely finished when Harding come out.
81 see you are ready" said he, eyeing him
keenlv, sand have made up for ldling IN the
bar-room. You will attend close on me, to-day
new recruits are apt to be suspected, and 1t
behooves them to be especially ardent" lie
accompanied these words witha significant smile
which left Vaughan convinced that he had not
been betrayed.
| Ii was not long before the party We're In the
saddle, and the quick pace at which they ad-
vanred, increased his fears that our kittys
scheme would be failure, since even If she
proved true, and succeeded in reaching the
American outposts, succor would come too
late.
Imagine the feelings of Vaughan during that
ride. The agony of being broken on the wheel
was nothing to it. He was well aware of the
IinfiexibIe purpose of Harding, and knew that
neither present supplication, nor fears of future
lretribution would turn him aside from his fell
purpose. Nor could Vaughan hope to succeed
single handed, in any attempt to avert the doom
of his betrothed. At times, from the peculiar
look with which Harding regarded him, Vaug-
Than was led to think that the refugee penetrated
his designs, and had brought him along to
torture him by the sight of the ruin to be worked
at the Headley farm. But this look might on
ly arise from natural suspicion of recruit
But could Kitty have been false ? No-her
truth was unmistakeable, or Vaughan knew
nothing of phisiognomy. Buff there was no
dragons at the place. when she arrived! These
thoughts agitated him continually.
81 will die to saveher; and if needs be- he
Iinwardly swore, 81 wiz preserve her from pro-
fanation by sacrificing her with my own hand"
With these bitter reflections, Vaughan fol-
lowed his commander, his heart tormented now
by despair,and now paciied by hope. At length
Headley's farm broke on their sight, our hero
looked eagerly in the direction, where the drag
looms, if coming, would appear but none were in
sight. 1t was just as evening closed and all a
round wore calm and peaceful look. He tur-
ned sick at heart, to gaze on the old homestead
and when Vaughan thought of the desolation
soon to fall on that now happy household, his
feelings could scarcely be controlled, But he
felt the necessity of discrimination, if he would
even attempt to save Emily.
"Forward-trot,' said the voice of Harding,
at this moment, having returned from a recon-
: noisance ofthe buildings, which he found, as he
expected wholly unprotected; they reached the
lawn before the house, he shouted in a voice
which told the household of his APPROACH
: "Hat p
t Instantly the man drew in their reins, while
the hasty barring doors was heard from the
house. 1t was the work of moment, however
for the assailants to dismount, and stand before
5 a long hall door, which had given away before
an axe which one of the party carried tho until
a shot had been fired from anupper story win
: dow.
e "Our motto is beauty and booty shouted
Harding, as the door fell in. "Spare none and
: revenge your fallen comrade !" Withe these
j words, he rushed towards the staircase leading
to the apartment which Vaughan knew to be
4 The crisis which had breathlesslyh waited,
d ever since the attack began, had now come: and
b regardless of the peril, Vaughan sprang after
his leader, determined to save her life or frus-
!, trate Harding's desigs. And together they
4 assembled the staircase. The moment was one
of terrible interest. The hand of the rufian
n was on the lock of Emlys door-that door
: which had been so sacred, hitherto, even from
e Vaughan sapproach--when our hero arrested it
: by blow from his sabre, which would have
: severed Harding's hand, had he not caught the
' fash of thesteel and sprang back.
"Ha traitor" he said, comprehendng eve
rythlng at glance, yet half astonished at the
discovery s'then take that - and he levelled a
3 pistol at our hero who saved bis life only by
r knocking up the weapon with his blade. In
an instant the two excited men had crossed
: Harding, furious at the discovery that he had
harbored spy, and Vaughan thirsting for his
< hearts blood as the only chance to save Emily
: By this time, the refugees were pouring up
. the staircase, and, for a moment, they paused
{; in astonishment at the spectacle of this unex-
pected combat. Recovering from their sur
2 prise,they threw themselves on Vaughan, whom
} they disarmed and bound, after receiving many
wounds. lie expected nothing now utimme-
date death, nor did he wish to live. Since he
could not save Emily, he desired to die. He
/ would have blessed any one who would have
put an end to his existence.
: ooh why did my good blade fail me9' said
he 'why could not finish the recreant g
!, To add to this distress, one of the servants,
who had been dragged into the hall, recognised
him and revealed his name
"You are lover, then, of the fa. bird
, within, as well as a traitor and a spy
said Harding, hoarse with passion, and
: weak from the main of the wounds no had 70
: ceived from Vaugan's sword ''then you shall
shall see my leman, ere you die %
) Vaugan writhed in mental agony. Already
he seemed to behold his betrothed struggle in
the foul arms Of the ruffians.
"For Gods sake" he implored, "tortiire me
do what you will with me-but spare Miss
HeadIey. snare her.