Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1850-09-13

ABOUT the same, exclaimed the man who
had given the information as he disappear
ed in the bushes.
A half hour suf1iced for Langsford to
reach the house of Steel, which was in
stantly surrounded in silence, he having
ordered his men to dismount when some
distance from the dwelling, and leaving a
part in charge Of the horses, approached
with the others on foot.
Having stationed his troopers so that no
one could leave the house, he approached
the parlor window from which a light
shone, and carefully discovered Mary in
conversation with young man of some
three and twenty years Of age, dressed in
! the light blue uniform of the rebel army.
! The first word he heard pronounced was
/ his own name, and almost breathIessIy he
/ listened.
! 4" have been constrained" he heard
Mary say, " for the purpose of saving my
fathers life, and prevent our house from
being pillaged, to treat Langsford in
manner that | would scorn to do were |
! placed in other circumstances. If YOU
knew how detested him, if you could feel
how | ioathcd his advances, YOU would
say that policy alone dictated my conduct.
| No, Harry, never loved any one but you,
and would die sooner than ! would be-
come the wife of that blood thirsty British
demon"
And Langslord stood there at the win
/ dow and heard it ALL
| You should have seen his brow contract,
and his face turn red and pale in rotation,
and beheld his teeth sink in his under lip,
until the warm blood ran trckling down
his chin, and fell drop by drop on his hea-
wing bosom Yet he stirred not, but with
every muscle trembling like an aspen, he
listened for the reply.
l. believe you, Mary, and never vet
doubted the real cause of your actions
bat ! trust there will be no more cause for
descending. Marion has returned TO the
Santee, his blood boiling to avenge his
countrymen upon this same Langsford, and
woe to the puppet of English power if he
leaves the streets of Charleston for the open
country at present"
But he is coming, got letter from
him the other day, couched in the most
loving terms, in a few days 10 claim his
bride. | threw the abhorred letter in the
fire, and wished he might break his neck
first"
Langslord could stand it no longer
The warm blood had rushed into his face
till it was red as scarlet, and drawing back
his right hand he dashed the window in by
4 vigorous blow, and exclaimed in voice
of thunder
"And he is here to claim his bride, and
hang the traitor that would seduce her
love"
Saying which he called for his ren TO
advance, and he sprang into the room.
Mary Steel uttered one convulsiye
scream of horror, and sank lifclcss to the
floor, while the partisan, surprised at the
unexpected interruption, retreated to the
side Of the room, and placed his back
against the wall, drawing his sabre as he
did so.
cay, ay, my fine fellow, caught in
trap OF your own setting ?" exclaimed
Langsiord, sncering as he glanced at the
rebel. "Seize him, men - he added, to
several soldiers who had by this time
crowded into the apartment, and guard |
him we'll"
The men advanced to obey, but conclu- /
ding that resistance would be useless |
against such odds, he bent his knee, across !
which he snapped his sabre and threw the
pieces upon the floor. He was then quick
ly led from the spot.
Langsiord being left alone in the room
with Mary, advanced and bent over her
scnscless form, which he was about rails
ing in his arms when Walter Steel came |
into the apartment. Slrding up to the |
captain, he placed lis left hand against
his shoulder, and pushed Langsford some
what rudely from her body, at the same
time raising his daughter with the right
" A fathers attention is best given his /.
daug hter at the present time" he said |
sternly, noticing the scowl gathering upon
the officers brow.
But remember, Mr.. Steel, that / am
not to be installed with impunity," growled |
Lansford angrlly.
"And you viii recollect, Captain
Langsford, that | am master of nv own
replied Steel, though a little
touched by the officers taunt "If YOU
have anything to say to my daughter, YOU
must wait till she is recovered"
Well, have good deal to say, and
will give you just two hours to prepare for
what is to take place." said Langsford,
slowly.
"Much obliged to you for your conde-
scensions,'' muttered Steel, in an audible
voice as he bore his child from the room.
CHAPTER II.
About an hour after the occurrence re-
lated in the preceding chapter, figure
was observed by the sentry, who was sta
toned in the road in front of the house,
coming quietly toward him, and as it was