The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1851-11-19

might her heart tremble and grow faint as
she tried to look into the dark future; well
might she shrink back, half repentant, and
hesitate about the step she had resolved to
take The silent midnight gives to the
wakeful solemn thoughts. Such thoughts
came to Jessie; and as the winds sighed
through the trees or moaned beneath the
leaves; it seemed as if spirit was ad-
dressing her in tones of warning.
At last, feeble line of light was seen
upon the horizon; and it gradually WIDEN
ed until the dawn appeared. Hurriedly
throwing a shawl around her, Jessie stood
for some minutes near the window, as if
awaiting an expected signal. Presently a
hand was laid upon the lock. Silently
crossing the room she opened the door,
Philip stood there with his finger on his
lip.
"Is it all right" asked Jessie, in avery
low agitated whisper.
"All is right" returned the man. "Be
quick he is waiting for YOU"
Gliding through the door, Jessie went
noiselessly down stairs. As she passed
into the open air, Levering received her,
handing, as he did so, purse of money
to the treacherous servant as his promised
reward.
few minutes prior to this, scene
even more exciting took place short dis
tance from the mansion Of Mr.. Carlton,
where carriage stood in waiting for the
fugitive. The driver had left his box, and
was standing near his horses, when, sud-
denly,a man was by his side. pistol in hand,
utterng, in low peremptory voice, ISL
lence and you are safe!'
The driver started back few PAGES in
alarm, while the stranger who had pre-
sented his weapon, kept it directed to-
wards him.
"Now leave these grounds as quickly as
you can CO." said the intruder
The driver hesitated, when the sharp
click of the pistol-lock was heard.
$50 Instantly" repeated the man.
"Your horses and carriage are safe. You
will find them at the Stag and Hound in
an hour from this. Now 60 if you set the
value of hair upon your lile."
The driver by this time thoroughly
alarmed, fled. AS soon as he had left the
ground, the stranger mounted the box and
grasped the reins. Hardly had he taken
his place. ere Levering and Jessie appear
ed, and hurriedly entered the carriage.
"Whcre did you say must drive?" in
qured the man, leaning over from the
box.
"To Mr. Liston's. And see that no
grass grows beneath your horses feet"
The man spoke sharply to the spirited
animals, and away they dashed at fall
speed. Lis!on was minister, who was
engaged TO perform the marriage service
for Levering and Jessie. lie lived in the
town which lay short distance from the
beautiful country residence of Mr.. Carlton.
In few minutes, the horses we're refined
up at the dwelling OF the minister, when
Leverng sprang from the carriage, and
lifting Jessie, as she attempted to descend,
actually bore her in his arms across the
pavement into the house. Just as the flu
gitives disappeared, another vehicle drove
up at rapid pace. The self.constituted
driver Of Levering's carriage left his own
horses, and hurrying to the door of the
second carriage, spoke rapidly few
words to some one within; and then turn
ing away, entered the minister's house
and throwing off his rough hat and coat in
the hall, presented the figure of well
dressed gentleman. For few moments,
he stood, as if awaiting some one, while
his ear was bent towards the door Of a
room that opened from passage, to hear
what was going on within. Then he pla.
ced his hand on this door, and gently push
ing it open, entered. The young couple
were already on the floor; and the minis.
ter, in his robes, stood before them ready
to begin the ceremony. So softly had the
stranger entered, that no one perceived his
presence but the minister, who did not
permit the intrusion to interfere with what
he was doing. He began and progressed
until he came to that part of the ceremony
in which is demanded Of those present to
show cause why the parties about to be
IJOllcu III lOly WculOCh CuuuOt luWluuy Ch-
ter that state, when the door was thrown
suddenly open. and woman rushing in
exclaiming-
81 forbid this marriage!''
"Who are you. and by what right do
you speak?" inquired the minister, in an
agitated voice.
Levering and Jessie started at this un.
expected interruption; and, turning looked
in astonishment both at the woman and
man,
"Miss Carlton, ''said the woman, coming
up to Jessie and grasping her arm, "you
have no right to this man; he belongs to
me by prior claim, that | will not see
cancelled. There is your natural protec-
tor she drew her, with sudden
jerk, across the room towards the man
who had entered just before her-.your
father! And, in heavens name, let not a
man like this prompt you thus madly from