Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1847-11-26
VOLUME ll...NUMBER I.

He then took his departure, but as he paced
lhoughIiIlly down the street, he sighed and said,
"Poor girl So beautiful and with such bril-.
liant destiny before her, TO be the victim of an
unfortunate attachment for such she obviously
is."
In less than a fortnight Mr.. Courenay, his
daughter and Mr.. Beaufort sailed for England in
one Of his majesly's ships, which offered unex'
pecledly passage, some weeks earlier than they
had hoped for one. Their departure left blank
in Charleston. The gaiely and wit Of Agnes,
combined with her taste as hostess, had created
quite u sensation during her stay there: and what
made her absence more to be regretted, was the
fact that these qualities seemed TO grow brighter
during the last two weeks Of her visit. Sir Hem
ry Clinton alone knew that Under that joyous ex-
terror, beat sorrowing bosom. Often, when he
saw Agnes the centre Of brilliant circle, herself
the most dazzling star in il, he sighed and turn.
ed away.
Lennox received the intelligence Of his re-.
prieye within an hour alter Sir Henry left Agnes,
on the day succeeding his arrest. Our hero was
plunged in gloomy thought when the messenger
entered. The excitement Of the morning had
passed away, but nevertheless when he saw the
OpEii8 8SuppOShk ~ W bG oH NliAOVl
the warrant for his execution, he rose with q lofty
and composed air TO receive his visitor.
al am ready" he said, "when is ito be7"
"You mistake me-" replied the official, "his
excellency has been pleased TO commute your
punishment into Imprisonment at his pleasure, or
until you are regularly exchanged. 1t is foru.
nate for you, Major, you had friends. Allow me
to congratulate you"
An eager light broke into the eyes Of Lannox,
and for an instant, he lanccd that Agnes had pro.
cured his pardon-lor who else was there in
Charleston TO be interested for hint
"Did you hear who my friends we're that have
done me this kindnessl" he asked breathessIv.
"You should know that better than myself"
replied the official. "Some o! your loyal con.
nexions, suppose: all your relatives, ! believe
adhere TO his gracious majesty"
"Truc, il must have been some one Of lhem,"
said Lannox gIoomiIy.
Days passed, and our hero heard nothing from
the wordwilhout. Notwithstanding the improb.
ability Of The conjecture, and in spite Of what the
official said, he had entertained again, and more
than once, the wild dream that Agnes had herself
procured the commulalion Of his penalty. How
his heart thrilled at the very thought! But as
day after day passed, and he received no message
from either her or her father, he was forced to
confess that he had deluded himself; and, when
he came 10 this conclusion, he almost regretted
that he had not been suffered To die.
At Iasl he heard from his ailer, incidentally
that the Courtenays had sailed for Europe and
at this intelligence the last faint geam of his il
usion faded forever. He cursed then his own
folly in believing, for moment, that Agnes ever
loved him. YET he could not bring himself 10
hate her. In what had she ever deceived him!
Had he not been the victim rather Of his own
foyl
Ii was few days after he received this nte-
gence that the door Of his cell was flung open and
female entered, leading young lad. He look.
ed up and recognized Mrs. Stewart. Never be.
fore had The suspicion crossed his mind that she
had been the instrument in soliciting his reprieve,
but now it flashed on him and was corroborated
by her embarrassment.
81 could not leave Charleston" she said. as if
in apology for her intrusion, "without first calling
TO see you, in order 10 learn if | could be of ad-
vantage to you before | 60, or aiierward. The
CourtenOys, my relatives, with whom have been
residing, sailed some time earlier than We expec.
ted; and ! am going 10 rejon my husband, or find
home with my sister in the western part of the
colony"
"You can do nothing for me-" said Lennox
"but accept my thanks for your offer. | already
owe you much-too much-a life that would be
scarcely worth retaining, if il were not for my
country
"You owe me nothing, while owed 10 your
followers my husbands lfe."
"Nay! do not owe it to you that am now a.
livel Though you have tried TO keep your agen.
cy concealed, know rha, you only, of all Char.
lesion, interested yourself in my favor"
Mrs. Stewart was on thp point of u,erng de.
niaI, when she reflected that, by so doing, she
nigh. involve Agnes in suspicion, and remember
ing her solemn promise to our heroine, she suffer.
cd Lennox 10 remain under his deuSion.
II have no power now to show my gratitude
as ] ought; but accept this ring" said Lennox,
"asa proof of my sincerity: and if the day should
ever come when fortune Growns darkly on you,
claim my aid. And, as he spoke, he drew off
signet ring he had always worn and offered it 10
Mrs. Stewart. But she drew back.
MAY! if not for yourself, at least for your lit.
lie boy take it. We know not the changes this
world has in store for us. The day may come
when may be Of service 10 him."
II will take it for him. them" said Mrs. Stew.
art, "or ill one, who hasa better right, claims it,"
There was a silence of minute, and then
LennOx, who could not after all avoid speaking
on the subject next his heart, said,
Il once knew your friends, the Courtenays.-
Were they quite welll"
In spite of every exertion, his voice was rem-
uIous, and the keen woman's observation of Mrs.
Stewart detected in this an unmisIakeable evi.
idence Of his continued interest in Agnes.
The conversation that followed was conducted,
on her part, with an eager, if not audabe desire
to confirm, or Danish her suspicion. She noticed
that Lennox never wearied Of hearing her speak
of Agnes, and that, while he strove TO ppear
oulwardIy composed, he was internally agiiated.
The result convinced her that he loved Agnes as
devotedly as ever.
Oh! how she regret,edthen the promise she had