Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1846-02-20

at dead Of night. through the forest. to this 1
mansion. He is TO return by twelve, i. is
now kaIf-past eleven = .ydf !sa.@.>
Friendly Indian = echoed the veteran
Colonel; Rather an odd guardian for a |
pretty woman! Quite an original idea of
Duenna. I vow!' 49,.
And you will match this lady against
all the world for beau,y!' said the Major.
YES! and if you do not agree with me.
This hundred guineas which | lay upon the
liable. shall serve 'our mess' for wines, for
month to come! But if you do agree
with meas without doub, you will
then you are to replace this gold with an
hundred guineas of your own s,.s..
Agreed! It is wager? chorussed
the Colonel and the two other officers.
And in that momeni-shile tie door
way was ,hronged by fair ladies and gay
officers. attracted from the next room by
the debate-ae that young Refugee stood
with one hand resting upon the lille pile
of gold, his ruddy face grew suddenly pale
as shroud, his blue eyes dilated until they
4 were each encircled by line of white en-
amel, he remained standing there, as it fro
zen to stone. .
why, Captain, what is The matter?'-
cried the Colonel starting up in alarm, do
you see ghost. that you stand gazing
there. al the blank wall : .. ,.... ...
The other officers also started up in
alarm. also asked the cause Of this singular
demeanor, but still for the space of min
Vie or more, the Refugee Captain stood
there. more like dead man, suddenly re.
called to life, than living being. ....
Tha, momen, past, he sat down with
cold shiver; made strong effort as if TO
command his reason; and then gave utter.
ance to a forced laugh. .....
'Ha, ha! See how I've frightened you"
, he said-and then laughed that cold. un.
natural, hollow laugh again. 49,.
, And Jet. half an hour from that time
= he freely confessed the nature Of the hor-
r rid picture ,chich he had seen drawn up-
: on that blank, tooinsco'ted acau, as II By
e some Supernatural hand. ,.. g.. ..--. .-
= But now, with the wine cup ia bis han'l,
:. he turned from one cumrade to another ut
,ering son,e forced jest. or looking towards
the doc, way, crowded by offic RS and la
L. dies, he gaiIy invited them to share in this
: remarkable argument: Which we're the
G most beautiful women 10 the weird :
o As he spohe, the hour struck.
: Twelve o'clock was there. and with i
i a fnotstep, and then a bold Indian form
i came urging through the crowd Of ladies
d ,hronging yonder door way.
;. Silently, his arms foide1on his war bian
e ket. look Of calm stoicism Oh his dnsky
e brow, the Indian advanced along The room
d and stood at the end Of the table. There
was no lady viii, him!
8 Where is the fair girl? She who wa:
e ITO be the Bride to-p1orrow? Perhaps th'
= Indian has left her in the next room, or ii
d one of the other halls of the old mansion
g or perhaps-but the thought is a foolisl
D one-she has refused to obey her lover
request-refused TO come 10 meet him I!
I. There was something awful in the dee
p silence, that reigned through the room, a
?. the solitary Indian stood there, at the hea
of the table. gazing silently in the lover
?. face. .1!21 70 '..''
D. 'Where IS she p at last gasped the Re
10 fugee. She has not refused, to come D.
"a fell me-has any accident befallen he
re the way? know the fores, is dark
lie and the wild path most difhculs-,ell me
= where is the lady for whom | sent you il
to the Rebel lines Q la r." .y-Gt
n. For moment, as the strange horror {
70 tina, lovers face was before him. the Ind
an was silent. Then. as his answer seen
III ed trembling on his lips. the ladies in yor
der door way. the officers from the bal
room. and the party round the table. form
ed gronp around the two central figure
f. that Indian standing al the heae OF III
,e table, his arms folded in his war blankt
n that young officer, half rising from hi
N seat. his lips parted, his face ashy. hi
m clenched hands resting on the dark n,ahoe
r. any ofthe table. n t4L-fj .9sg as5tossa
!, The Indian answered first by an actor
III then by word. IL a.er ze.l las cess
~ First the action: Slowly drawing hi
II RICH, hand from his war blanket, he bel
A. it in the light. That right hand cluiche
!, with blood stained fingers bleeding SCALP
and long and glossy locks Of beautiful dar
Of hair!
Of Then came the word. Young wsrric
N sent the red man for the scalp Of pale face
~ snuaw! Here il isl -zzst asg -a. ALI. .-.
:: Yes-,he rude savage had mistaken hi
=. message! Instead of bringingth BRIDE t
y, her lovers arms. he had gone on his way
:. da,s,m;ned IN hiring the SCALP of the victim