Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1852-02-11

tated some violence toward her, and Sc
cretly resolved, if an opportunity presen.
ted, to escape.
The party halted before the gate of q
large tory farm house, and one Of the
men dismounted-threw it open, and the
cavalcade entered the enclosure one after
another; the space not being wide enough
to admit of more than one going in at a
time. Their long ride had so wearied the
men that they hurried In as fast as possi-
bic; and by checking the impatience Of
her horse, Marion remained outside until
all but her two guards had passed in
One of these then advanced before her,
bidding the other to remain behind, but
as he left her side, quick as thought she
turned the head of her steed, and apply
ing her whip to the flanks of the spirited
animal, he sprang rapidly off in the di-
rection of the black forest. A deep curse
broke from the lips of the remaining guard
as he wheeled his steed to follow her, and
it drew the attention of those inside,
among whom was Ellerslie.
Mount men, and follow her | thou
sand dollars to the one who secures her
alivel' he shouted in phrenzied tones of
madness as he hastily mounted his own
steed to pursue.
Go it Marion God bless you for a
noble girl and Til defy the Williams to
find you again. On, on, girl! There is
hope before, and worse than death behind
and the tears of heartfelt joy poured over
the cheek of Hunter, as he gazed upon
the exciting scene.
Take that old gray-headed dog to the
first tree, and hang him upon the first
limb 7 wrathfully cried Ellerslie, as he
spurred his horse through the gate, and
urged him forward in quick pursuit.
Half 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
BILE to walk, and his captors, brutally sci
zing him by the gray hairs on his head,
dragged him forward to an oak tree
which grew in the yard, and procuring a
rope, prepared to carry into execution the
last diabolical order of the blood thirsty
Ellerslie.
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 Ellers-
lie himself, and she soon saw that the
speed of his horse was such that she must
inevitably be overtaken, yet she applied
the whip, and they few like the wind to-
ward the gloomy wood that loomed up
before them. But hundred yards inter-
vened, when, with demoniacal laugh he
dashed up beside her, and seizing hold of
her bride rein, by powerful effort check
ed the gait of her horse, and by the time
they reached the black forest, both riders
came 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 the in
suit he offered sent it rushing back, and
for moment she became as pale rs mar
BILE; then recovering herself, sent one
wild, heart-rending shrek through the
surrounding wood, and vainly endeayor-
ed to shake off his hold.
But the cry of despair which then went
from the lips of injured innocence, was
heard by ears that thrilled with pangs of
mortal agony, as 1T vibrated upon his SEN
ses, and tearing himself from his execu-
TONERS, Hunter essayed to mount the
wall and fly to the rescue of his beloved
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 maledictions upon
the destroyer of happiness and innocence.
But another beside her father heard
that fearful Shrek, as it went echoing
along the forest, and oh, the thrill of hor-
ror that took possession of his soul, as he
heard and recognised the voice of his be-
trothed in that last scream of despair
The foam flew in drops from the bits of
Selim, and as if conscious of the urgency
of tho occasion, he few rather than run
through the wood, until he and his rider
seemed like spirits flowing through air
rather than occupants on earth. From
the top of that slope Mcdonald gazed
down the road and beheld Marion strug-
Cling in the arms of Ellerslie, who had
dismounted and was cndeavoring to drag
her from her stccd. He raises aloft in
his stirrup-his broad claymore glitters
in the rays of the sun-and his powerful
voice rings out like a thunder peal upon
the morning air, as he shouts aloud his
we'll known war cry upon the breeze
Death to the Torres! Marion I come p
The countenancc of Ellerslie palcd as
he heard the terrible sound, and releasing
the form of Marion, he sprang to his
horse but when he arose in his stirrups,
his head was Glove to the chin by de-
scending claymore, and he sank lifeless to
the earth. Selling hold of the reins of
Marion's palfrey, he turned him toward
the farm house, and galloped hastily on
ward.
DO not go there-a hundred red dra-
goons are resting in the yard
Their doom is sealed-listenp and as
he spoke loud volley rang forth upon the