The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1848-09-01
VOL. IX.-NO. 6.

"IIcavensw exclaimed the huu,cr, what
do scc?''
"Your friend" cric, Frederick, grasping
him by the hand.
"Whom I supposed dcad-dcad by my
hand ~ murmured Clinton. sab /! what
joys
"Indccd, what joy ~ echoed Ellen a faint
smile playing upon her lips.
! When the excitement aud surprise were
over, Clinton told his history since the fatal
meeting between him and Ellen's brother,
SurpoSing that Frederick was dead, aud
fearing not only the law but also the haired
Of Ellen, lie had roamcd for weeks over the
prairie, spending but little Of his time in
| towns. AT last he became tired of such
life, and resolved to return TO the Des
PLANES and learn whether he was really
the object of hatred he supposed. For sew
cral days he fingered about his old house,
not daring TO discover himself To even his
former friends. On the night in question,
he sought refuge in the house Of IL squatter,
who had taken up his abode far out upon
the prairie. lie saw the fire; he waited
for it 10 approach, whenhe behcldthe iorms
of two persons on horseback between him
aud the flames. The squatters house was
safe, for it was surrounded by iurrowed
ground So that it was impossible for the fire
to reach it; but Clinton remained not there.
He seized a torch, and rushing into the
midst Of danger, saved the life OF Frederick
and his sister
This recital ended, The three returned 70
the sQuattcr's hut. Frederick leading the
horses, and Ellen leaning upon the arm Of
her lover.
On the following morning they returned
Ito theDes PLANES, which was distant some
halGdozen miles, and rejoiced the heart OF
Mr.. Austin and his wife, who had suppos-
ed them lost.
Four weeks from that time, the popula.
tion OF the River Dcs PLANES, for several
miles around, was gathered together at tl,e
village church to witness very imposing
ceremony. 1t was the marriage of Clinton
and Ellen! The two antagonists Of the
White Rabbit became brothers; ii is need
less to state that their quarrel was never
renewed.
.'And now," said Ellen, 81 beg TO know
your history, Clinton. have never Qnes-
toned yon on that point before, but loved
you for what yon were, not what you might
r have been.
"You shall be satisfied" returned her
husband; Sin few words ! will tell YOU
my history"
81 have no family. My mother died
when was very young. | then had n
father and sister left. Five years ago my
father died of grief! Would sou know the
cause? 1t was my sisters d:shonor! A
| villain from Philadelphia, near which city
, we lived, won her heait She fell. She,
, too, died in consequence Of her crrrr. But
her be,raycr did not escape Isought him
t out--we met We fought with pis,ols-a
y bullet pierced his hcart
left my property, which is considerable,
in the hands of friend, and fed with lit
, tie ready money, to the west. Here ] have
lived ever sinCe-self- from place
which shame. not the law, forced me to
leave. Some have regarded me as mys-
- FERROUS beipc-some have Stunned me
others, and you are among the number,
trust, have dared to love. Is it not so, dear
r Ellcn?'
The young wife twincd her arms about
. her husbands ; her eyes, which swan
in tenderness, told tale of The hottest af-
$ fiction. She remembered that the blood
s upon his hands was excused by the sin that
had provoked its shedding, and woman'S
: natural horror Of the destruction Of life,
4: was overcome.
"ThcD we can live contented and hap
py" claSpinc her TO his bosom. Aud
. they have done SO. Hard, however, was
q the early fate Of him. who, because the
4 law would not punish the liberinc. was in
/ luced, by society, TO handle the weapon of
the so-called s'man of honor"