Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1847-04-22
TIE OATH OF MARION.
A STORY OF THE REVOLUTION.

Captain Preston had found great difficulty in re-
gaining his camp, ia consequence OF Msjor Lind
say having left word Of the place where he had
sought refuge with some Tories in the neighbour
hood. These men, anxious 10 secure SO redoubta-
bic leader. had Immediately stationed patrols At
all the usual outlets Of the swamp. and thus twice
had our hero been driven back into lis reeesses
once narrowly escaping death. A, length. howes-
er, in the dead Of night, he had succeeded in eud
ing his enemies, and gained the high road. His
flight, however, had led him into district full Of
Tories and he forced to travel with great eau
ton, and make long circuit in order to return TO
the camp. Meantime his absence there had ocea-
stoned much alarm. especially among his troop !;
and Macdonald had intended, IL he did not appear
by the ensuing morning. setting forth 10 make in
quiries respecting him. fearing he was dead.
The old butler bad been in the camp two days
He had attended his mistress 10 Georgetown, and
was the only one who suspected the true state Of
Hates heart He loved thai fair creature with the
blind devotion dog shows to its master: and he
had long been fully satisfied that her affections
we're given 10 Preston. OF our hero he had some
such idea as the old romaneers had of Paladn Of
former days, looking on him as capable Of doing
any deed, no matter how impossible. To old Jacob
IL seemed only necessary thai Preston should know
Of Ks,e's danger. in order TO rescue her. Accord
ingly, when he found the marriage actually resolved
on, and the day Fixed. he stole out Of Georgetown,
and made the best Of his way TO Mariou's camp.
Here the news OF Preston's absence fell on him
like thunderboIi. But he knew that no one else
could assist him and moreover he held Hates Sc
cret too sacred ITO be impaired to others. Mean
time. he found amusement in listening TO the tales
Of the soldiers, and he was happier than when
with mouth wide open. he sat devourng some story
OF the war. He implicitly believed everything he
heard, and thought WI h humble vanity what
sensation he would create in the kitchen at Blake
ley Hail. when he rehearsed there those tales for
Jacob. in his lowly way, was a sort Of Froissari,
and, with the uDctuous old canon, thought nothing
so honorable and glorious as gallant feais farms
Preston now dreE the boiler aside, and said:
Have you the letter herei
Please, msssa.' said the old fellow, determined
TO blur through the business with round false
hood since he could think Of nothing else Just then
that would serve his turn Please dat was a cursed
lie in Sariant Macdonald neb5et had a letter
from Miss Kate, but had one lilly message from
her. She is in Georgetown, in polemic-either
she mus, marry Major Lindsay, or Mr Mowbrsy be
hung
Good God T exclaimed Preston. What is it you
sayi Trifle not with me, be said sternly, seizing
the slaEe by the collar.
As true as dare is heaven above said the old
butler trembling. and half frightened Of his wits,
'whai say is the Gospel truth
He then proceeded 10 give Preston a more detail
ed account Of Affairs so far as they were known to
him, adheTing generally 10 the truth, except in
roundly asserting that Kate had sent him.
Presion's heart ihrobbed when he heard this
Kate loved him, then, after all. Hope whispered
to him bewildering dream; for if she could be
rescued, what happiness might be his. But then
came the thought-how was this 10 be effected =
Kate was at Georgetown, post Of considerable
strength, and no succor could reach her, unless by
strstagem; yet with time this might be effected
But in what manner could the vigilance Of guards
be surmounted. and the prize carried of-for it was
necessary to rescue her father well as herselfl
Suddenly the voice OF old Jacob aroused him from
the train Of thought into which he was plunged.
Deere is lily time left. he said, for hab waited
here two days. Tomorrow night il will be too
late for den de wedding is to.tske place
Tomorrow night said Preston sghsst-foE
now he heard for the first time, OF the period fixed
for the marriage. God Of heaven il is already
too late--she is lost forever
He turned his face, tortured with anguish up 60
the moon, which was sitting, full and bright
through the blue depths OF air. How calm and un-
rufled was thai siIvery planet. Ages ago it had
shone thus. equally cold and unsympathizing. Il
had seen the sacrifice Of Jephthas daughter il had
beheld the fugitive Pompey il had gazed on Zen
obia, when erownless queen il had looked down
on pes,ilence, and war. and human misery in ever
shape-and still il held on It's course, the same
cold. unfeeling orb. hooking at man and his agony
Preston turned away and groaned. Heaven as wei
as earth seemed without hope. -t-s.-i
CHAPTER VIII, w