Arkansas intelligencer., 1849-10-13

the pale light of the moon or twinxling stars 10
love her till death. as believe is the fashionable
mode in these days, yet she knew there
sincerity in his manly feeling that time could
| never alter. From that hour their thoughts and
| actions were changed. Both before were stran-
gers to that devouring passion-Love. Though
they may have all the warmth of ial affection.
yet they knew not till then, The wild fervour of
first love.
Arrangements were made 10 have the marriage
consummated in q few weeks-before which how
ever Hugh was under the necessity of visiting
Philadelphia TO transact some important business.
he left home but one short week prior TO the da V
which was 10 unite him to the whom he priz-
lee above Ill earthly treasures Alas!could he have
read the dark pages of his life that wore to be
written in that week, they might, perhaps, have
been avoided
He started on his journey full Of youthful hope
and expectations, expecting soon TO return 10 the
bosom of his family and the embrace of his
friends. He reached the city the second day
after his depariure-and attended TO his duties so
las to be prepared to return the following day.
The next morning he arose and set out long be-
fore the sun had ,inged the eastern horizon-so as
10 reach home before night When he caught
sight of his plantation how were his buoyant feel.
ings changed
The fine farm house and barn that he bad left
three days ago heap of smoudered
ruins. The fire still burning though it had
evidently been fred many hours before. He
sprang from his horse with horror depicted on his
countenance. My mother, my sister where are
they ?'' were his first exclamations. "Oh if they
are saved will be content" But his fears were
soon to be verified. He found the bodies not
quite consumed under pile of burning logs. He
gazed silently for a moment upon the horrld sight.
There naughi TO show the workings of his
heart, the heaving of his bosom and the con-
vulsve rolling of his eyes, There is the work
of the accursed Indians he exclaimed .'the Con-
estogas, though they pretended friendship for US.
| Oh. where were the Paxton Rangers when this
was done Vengeance" he cried with con-
vuIsivs shudder-" is sweet, and | will drink
! deeply of it, He turned away and went 10 his
| horse from which he took rifle he had purchased
during his absence and started with maniacai
strides towards the Conestoga village, When he
! had proceeded about two miles he sat down be-
meath a tree to brood over his misery. land
Mary, is she SAFE broke from his lips 'if she is
| dead then all is lost and undone | will &c
and hear the wors,-it is but short distance
! He arose TO depart; but rustling of the leaves
near by caused him TO listen atIeutivey. "Au
! INDIAN he murmured. Il saw something move
in the bushes down in the hollow, I'll have
the life blood of one red skin now" Raising his
rife he took deliberate aim a, the bush behind
I which he object move. He Grew the
trigger and the FATAL SHOT sped too surely on it:
errand of death. He heard a groan and low
cry Of pain. He ran 10 the spot expecting 10 see
the body of an lnJan-when, oh, horror horror!
he beheld the form of Mary Dunford-ihe warm
blood flowing from her pierced bosom. "Mary
oh. God, have killed you ~ "Hugh," she family
exclaimed i she could not utter the sen
tence, but cast look of forgiving tenderness anc
sank in;o the arms OF dealh "What / oh wha
shall do :? This. this is too much,' he cried
and fell senseless by her side.
! Mary had sirayed farther than usual from home
| on the evening of the fatal accident--and az iwi.
| light gathered around, she sat down to muse OF
| the approaching change that soon TO take
place in her life, upon rock which was surround
ed with bushes. She was, probably, occupied
with these thoughts when the bullet from heI
/ lovers rife entered her breast. Search was com
/ menced by Esquire Dunford and his son Rober
for Mary, for OH account of her long absence
! they were fearful she had fallen prey to somt
wild beast. They found the bodies that night
| after diIgent search. Ii would be vain TO at
tempt to describe the grief of The Dunfords.-
Those who have watched by the dying led o
some dear one, know the pangs of the mourner
but oh, such bereavement Is not 10 DO compar
ed TO the sudden accident that snatches the youn;
and lovely from our sight without a moment
| warning To watch the last agony of one whom
disease has marked fer lis prey is not so trying
one on whom the rosy hue of health still exists
and to tha, cherished one laid before you cold il
the embrace OF death. Long and anxIousl did the,
watch the returning OF Hugh, for until h
recovered, they could not learn how the fearful
tragedy had happened When no had sufficient
| ly recovered, he related The dreadful occurrence
! Of that fearful day-und begged as mercy, tha
they would destroy him. declaring at the sam
time that he had nothing to live for. 1.-The ways
I Providence are mysterious" said Mr.. Dunford
"He may have some wise purpose 10 accomplish
and this may be n lesson Of warning TO US al
that life is uncertain, for we know not what a da
or an hour may bring forth.'
/ Hugh arose from his bed after suffering week
! of intense mental agony. He would start a
times with shudder, and raise up his hands as
to ward off some dreadful spectre. His healt
| was evidently fast failing, and he was advised t
travel. He consented-though with desire 4
live! Blu. he thought change of objects wouIt
divert his mind from brooding over its Misery
He left the quiet dell of the Cones,oga, and wan
dered among the busy haunls of men; but all il
vain-the CHASTITY image Of the lovely girl he ha,
slain, was constantly before him. Whether Of
ship board or land, in the crowded city or in tn
| lonely wilderness, that sight never alb
sent from his ina gination Pale and careworl
| he returned to Conestoga, determined 70 end hi
wreched existence. On the night he commtte,
the rash act. he had wandered to the spot " her