The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1847-09-24

I
cause to hope? Am more to you than the
many others who kneel in homage to your
charms -
"Wcrc you not, DO you think | would
permit him to live, who has dared the iami-
liarity for which you but now humbly crave
my ardon?"
"Oh, lady, then am | blessed indeed |!
Oh when may | call you mineg"
"Whcn ! am free from my present en-
gagements.''
Stree from present engagements! Lady
il is cruel TO trile with bursting heat"
81 do not triilc, Edvardo; am willing to
ackhowlege that love You, but ii may be
long before we can unite, have duty, a
sacred and imperative duty to perform.
which love nor pleasure, nor nought on
earth can induce me to iorcgo. If you love
me, your love will not fade like yOn sum
ncr flowers, with age. My father cannot
alone bear the cares and fatigueS. and veX-
ations Of his Office. lie cannot spare me.
and | cannot marry while he is in Office
indeed he never viii consent 10 part with
me, so necessary have Inow become to him,
"Lady, cruel, cruel would be the delay /!
Know you not, that while he lives the pco-
pie will have no other president? He alone
can please and govern them: they will
have 40 other-oh, but for the love you
have but now confessed, decide not so, else
years and years will roll away and VIC will
still be rs now His death alone"
"Oh! speak not that, Edyardo," said she
aS the large dew drops of the soul rose in
her lustrous eyes 81 love my father"
"Lady, ! must obey, and await my
- Sail ti.,
wild strange light beamed from his eyes,
even as if some desperate concct had enter
cd his mind. She did not observe it, but ris-
ing. raid
"You may nov escort me back TO the ci-
ty, Edyardo. The evening dows will soon
begin TO fall, and | must dress for the ter
tuilla which give to-nisht-you will be
thcrc!r
81 viii, angel mio," responded the cava-
lier as he led her forth.
II was in the still hour ofmidnight. and
Gen. RcsaS was in his chamber. seated be-
side table filed with papers and docu-
mcn'S, now reading and signing one, and
then another Yes, while his people were
enjoying the quiet rest which nature de-
mandS, he, the greatest among them. was
toilng for their benefit, laboring both in
mind aud body for their good.
His daughter was beside him, buSilv en-
gagged in copying private letter for her ia
ther. but startled. as gentle tap at the door
announced visitor.
"Who is there ?" said the stern general
as he laid his hand u pom Il mounted weapon
which lay near him.
..'lIs sentinel i,p ,,.,,,.
low, respectful tone.
"What is wantcd?"
81 bear present for your Evcclcncy
which has just been left, with strict orders
TO be delivered 60 his Evcolicucy alone"
"Eu'cr.-Ihis, mcthiul.s, is STANCE
hour for a present From whom doth it
come -
81 know not, Your Evcclcncy," said tie
soldier, as he laid a neat square box Of rose
wood upon the table, and placing the key
ON the card which was fastened on tie top.
he departed
"Opcn it my daughter, have not time"
said the general, rs he again turned his eve
to a military report which he was reading.
sob, | know who it is from 1t is his
hand writing :" exclaimed she, rs she
glanced at the card upon the top. sob,
what present could he have destined for the
father of her whom lie loves -
"Hc, whom. my daughter"
"Fathor, the supcrScription on this is in
the well known hand writing Of the brave
cavalier, Don Edvardo Escudoro. and he
has in thiSdclicatc way senty You some king
ly present, I'll warrant me -
"Wcll, well, open the box, my child, and
satisfy your curiosity"
The lady took the key and turned itin the
lock, but as she raised the lid. the report of
a vollcy of pistols almost dcafcnrd her. and
with one wild scream she rcclcd, and faint
ing. fell to the floor, amid a cloud of smoke
from the now open box.
In an instant the president sprang TO her
side.
sob! God my laughter is slainr' said
he in agony; but his heart was checred
again, as she spoke:
"No, no, not slain my father. but hc-hc
woulc have slain you TO win met and
again she tainted. BY this time the room
w.S filled with soldiers and officers, drawn
hithor by the report Of arms, and hasty
examination of the Internal machine, for
such il was, explained the plot against their
Generals life. A row of loaded pistols had
been so placed along the box that any one
standing in front Of it. would receive the
contents III his body. II had been sent to
Rosas at this late hour. in expectation that
he would open it himself.
Narrow had been the escape orthe laugh-
ter. She had stood beside instead of in
front Of the box when she had opened it.
but the fair hand which her lover had kiss
ed but so shortly before, was now stained
in several places with blood where the balls
had gra2ed 1t; her arm and laced sleeves
were blackcncd with smoke; but worse
than all was the wound her pure heart had
received in the discovery of this horrible at
tempt upon her fathers life by one she low.
ed, and who would have made her an or
phan to hasten her marriage. But she had
named him 10 her father, aud within one
hour after the discovery of the plot Edvar-
do EScudcro mas arraigncd before drum
head court martial. Her danger, confusion.
and the discovery of his hand writing, had
so thrown him oilhiS guard that when inter.
rogatcd he made no denial. Brief was the
trial. He was sentenced TO he shot in the
Retro, or military Plaza, at sunrise. With
naughty composurc he heard his sentence.
for he yet dreamed that she, who was all.
powerful with her father, loved, aud would