Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1847-04-02
VOLUME ls--,NUMBER rs

Colonel Watson. She also penned hasty epis.
dc 10 Major Lindsay, beseeching his interpos.
ton, for though Mrs. Bakeley was well aware Of
his pretensions TO the hand Of her niece, she
thought this no time for morbid delicacy. These
epstles being indited, and confded 10 the hand of
rusty servant, with orders tospare neither whip
nor spur until he reached Colonel Watson's quar-.
ters, Mrs. Blakeley, toward morning, sought her
couch, almost as much exhausted, both physi
.caly and mentally, as her unfortunate niece.
The morning broke in that once happy man.
sion as on house Of death. The shutters we're
half closed, rs if TO exclude the light, and the
servants stole noselessly TO and fro, speaking in
whispers scarcely above their breath. The NOR.
ming meal remained almost untouched. Kate
could eat nothing; and often set down her leacup,
while her eyes filled with tears. Mrs. Blakeley,
spite Of all her selfconro, was nervous and trem.
bling The old butler, who remained in the
room, often turned his back, and brushed the hon
est tears from his eyes, for though unwilling TO
betray his emotion, he was unable 10 prevent il.
Even Mrs. Blakeley's pet greyhound seemed to
know and participate IN the grief for, instead Of
rushing up 10 his mistress boisterously, when she
came down stairs, as had been his wont, he walk
ed slowly and sadly toward her, looking up ap.
pealingiy into her face, as f assuring her of his
sympathy. The same dull pantomine was gone
through with when Kate entered, and made her
lip culver.
Mrs. Blakeley had informed her niece Of what
she had done, aud said that nothing now remain.
ed but to wait an answer to her letters. Kate,
however, begged that she might be allowed to go
10 Colonel Watson's headquarters TO see her faith.
er; am though Mrs. Blakeey strove to dissuade
her from tins purpose, believing that the inter-
view would only harrow up unnecessarily the
feelings of both, iliai love prevailed, and Kate
extorted lingering consent that they should set
forth as soon as the heavy numbering carriage
could be prepared.
It was during this delay that the galloping OF
horse arrested her ear, and Major Lindsay was
seen to alight on the lawn. During the moment
that elapsed before his announcement, Kate had
time to indulge in a thousand wild speculations.
Hope whispered TO her that Major Lindsay had
procured the pardon Of her father, or else come
to announce a ropriove. Breathless and trem-
bling, she did not wait for his entrance, but hur-
ried TO the door of the parlor. Mrs. Blakeley
was almost equally agitated. Her first supposi-
ton was that Major Lindsay had received her note
and hurried at once TO their aid; but moments
reflection satisfied her that time enough for this
had not elapsed. She concluded then that he had
fastened. on his own suggestion, 10 comfort them;
and she advanced to meet him as eagerly as Kate.
Major Lindsay met them at the door. He STAR
ted back at the sight Of Kate's wan face, for new
er could he have believed itpossible that human
agony could be so lorcibly depicted on the coun-
tenance; but, recovering himself, he advanced
eagerly, and claspng the hand of each lady in
his own, looked from one TO the otherwitha smile,
not gay yet encouraging.
"You bring US good news, know" said Kate,
turning deadly pale. and then flushing to the
forehead.
81 hope So" said he, with marked emphasis
"God grant i'll"
"God grant it, indeed" faltered Mrs. Blakeley,
in reply, the blood gong back coldly on her heart
at these equivocal words.
Kate, however, did not notice this: hope blind
ed her eyes, willingly; andshe eagerly answered,
al knew you would bring US words Of cheer.
He is free-he is on his way hither-he will be
here soon. Is it not 500" and she looked so
beautifully earnest as she iftedhe eyes eagerlyto
Major Lindsay's face, that he vowed inwardly no
obstacle should prevent him from winning so
charming bride.
"Not exactly that" he replied, with some hes
itation. "Mr Mowbray is not free yet-but
hope, nay, promise that he is in no danger
that is, provided" he stopped embarrassed.
Mrs. Blakeley looked searchingly at the speak
er yet her heart would not allow her to entertain
the suspicion that had flashed across her, and
she discarded it Indignantly. Kate, hurled sud-
denly from her pinnacle of hope, trembled, and
clung speechessy TO her aunt's arm.
Major Lindsay's embarrassment continued
He looked imploringly at Mrs. Blakeley, as if he
half expected her to come TO his aid. But Mrs.
Blakeley was as agitated as Kate. She struggled
to subdue her emotion, saying eagerly
"Do nottorure US by suspense, implore you
Major Lindsay. If any thing is expected of us
fear not to tell us at once; we will strip ourselves
to the uttermost farthing, if heavy fine can save
my brother's life."
Major Lindsay, thus thrown on his own resour
ces, hesitated and stanmered, but found words a
length to say,
'Donot be alarmed, ladies. repeat it, there
is nothing TO fear. But come rather as an am
bassador than as the herald of joy. In Other
words, have certain matters 10 mention, which
are preliminary, regret to the pardon Of Mr.
Mowbray. My message, too, is exclusively t
Miss Mowbray, and fear can be delivered to he
alone. But understand me, there is no doubt o
all yet going WE'LL"
81 will leave you with this dear girl at once,
said Mrs. Blakeley, imprinting kiss on Kate
Ibrow. 81 need scarcely say how deeply she ha
been acitated, and beg you to spare her as muc
ii will do it," said Major Lindsay earnestly
his ewes compassiona,ely bent on Kate; and Mrs
Blakeley, Notwithstanding her suspicious, cOul
not doubt his sincerity.
Kate trembled with a strange forsbodlng iee
ing, as she saw the door close on her aunt; an
vel what was there of alarm in this approachia
interviewl Yet still Kate trembed 10 find hei
salc aIopa Ivith him ue ft4