The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1851-11-05
lingering look At the scene Of ruin leit be.
hind him.

/ lSSutu UOu tHc UldCk IOTeSt, anu entered
upon the more open country around it.
In the centre Of the group rode the prison
ers, and the eye of the officer often rested
with gloating admiration upon the fair fea-
lures of the defenceless Marion, as she
silently and with downcast eyes rode along
with a sturdy trooper upon each side. to
prevent any sudden resolution she might
form to escape. The live long night the
party had travelled on with unwearied Wig.
lance, and now that the terror of the for
est, known as the haunt Of Marion and
his men, were passed, the captain resolved
to halt to procure some refreshments, and
from the ardent gances he had so often
cast upon her, Marion was led to believe
he meditated some act OF violence towards
her. and secretly resolved, if an opportu-
nifty presented, TO escape.
The party halted before the gate of a
large tory farm house. and one Of the men
dismounted-threw it open. aid the caval.
cade entered the enclosure one after an
other; the space not being wide enough to
admit OF more than one going in at
time. Their long ride had so wearied the
men that they hurried in as fast as poss-
BILE; and by checking the impatience Of
her horse, Marion remained outside until
oil but her two guards had passed in.
One of these then advanced before her
bidding the other to remain behind her,
but as he left her side. quick as though,
she turned the head Of her steed. and ap.
plying her whip to the fanks of the spirit
ed animal. he sprang rapidly off in the
direction ofthe black forest. A deep curse
broke from the lips of the remaining guard
as he wheeled his sleed to follow her, and
it drew the attention of those inside.
among whom was Ellerslie
"Mount men. and after her! thousand
dollars TO the one who secures her alive?"
he shouted in frenzied tones of madness,
as he hastily mounted his own steed to
pursue.
"Go it Marion!-God bless you for
noble girl! and I'll defy the villains to find
you again. On, on, girl! There is hope
before, and worse than death behind"
and tears of heartfelt joy poured over the
cheeks of Hunter, as he gazed upon the
exciting scene.
Take that old gray headed dog to the
nearest limb, and hang him upon the first
limb" wrathiully cried El'ersl'e, as he
spurred his horse through the gate, and
urged him forward in quick pursuit.
Hall dozen men sprang forward to
obey, and the old man was released from
his horse, but so long had his limbs been
confined in one position. that he was una.
ble to walk, and his captors, brutally seiz-
ing HIM by the gray hairs Of his head,
dragged him forward to an oak tree which
grew in the yard. and procuring rope
prepared TO carry into execution the last
diabolical order of the blood-thirsty Ell.
lerslie.
In the meantime the steed which bore
the flying Marion, swept rapidly onward
for the forest, and soon distanced all save
the one upon which was mounted Ellerslie
himself, and she soon saw that the speed
of his horse was such that she must inev-
itably be overtaken, yet she piled the whip,
and they flew like the wind towards the
gloomy wood that loomed up before them
But hundred yards intervened, when,
with demoniacal laugh he dashed up be-
side her, and seizing hold of her bride
rein, by powerful effort checked the gait
Of her horse, and by the time they reached
the edge Of the black forest, both riders
had come to halt, and throwing his left
arm around her, he attempted to draw
her to him.
The excitement Of the flight had brought
the warm blood to her cheek, but theinsult
he offered sent it rushing back again, and
for moment she became as pale as mar
BILE; then recovering herself, sent one wild,
heart.rending shrek through the sur
rounding wood, and vainly endeavored to
shake of his hold. as
But that cry Of despair which then went
from the lip Of injured innocence, was
heard by cars that thrilled with pangs Of
mortal agony, as it vibrated upon his
senses, and tearing himself from his exc
cutioners, Hunter essayed to mount the
wall and fly to the rescue Of his daughter.
But he was rudely held back by arms Of
iron, and his pleadings fell as upon hearts
Of marble, until throwing himself upon
the earth, the old man groaned in anguish
and heaped maledictons upon the destroy
srs Of happiness and innocence.
But another beside her father heard that
fearful shrek, as it went echoing along the
forest, and o the thrill Of horror that took
possession OF his soul. as he heard and
recognized the voice of his betro.hed in
that last scream Of despair. The foam
flew in drops from the bits Of Selim, aud
as if conscious of the urgency Of the oc-
casion, he flew rather than ran through the
wood, until both he and his rider seemed
like spirits flying through the air rather
than occupants Of earth. From the top Of
that slope Mcdonald gazes down the road
and beholds Marion struggling in the arms
Of Ellerslie. who has dismounted, and is
endeayoring to drag her from her lsteed.
He raises alof in his stirrup-his broad