Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1852-02-03
nisrellaneous.
THE HEROINE or THE BORDER
BY CHARLES ]. PETERSON.

1t was lovely night in August, seventy
years ago The sky had not cloud; the
air was soft and balmy and the moon, sailing
silently on high flooded wood and field and
river with her calm. pure light. Never since
the last evening in Eden, had mother earth
worn an aspect SO like Paradise.
At the gate of a mansion, in the then new
ly settled town of Wheeling, stood two lovers
about to part The solemn spell of the hour
combined with the farewell they were about
to take, had cast sweet sadness over beth
at is long ride to Shepherds Fort, and
| almost fear for YOU" said a low and tiInid
voice. as the fair speaker looked up into the
face of her companion. Cannot you put off
this departure, Francis Z"
The bold yirginian gazcd tenderly down at
his beautiful companion, and then, as If in
stinctively drew her to him, imprinting kiss
on her forehead, as be answered:
"You were not always thus timid, Lizzy,
remember, before you went to Philadelphia,
that you were the boldest girl of all the bor
der, but, tonight, you are as fearful as a
young doe. You have come back accom-
plished as queen, but as nervous too. A
fine lady," be continued, laughingly, lis not
fit for q bride ON the frontier"
Il am not naturally timed, as you know"
earnestly replied his companion, .blushing at
this raillery, "but these terrible Indians APP
pal me. You tell me that they have held a
great council at Chilicothe and resolved to
take up the Ratchet again. What if band
of them should waylay you to-nigbt?"
"Never fear it. dearest. they are far enough
as yet. My information is in advance of
them, and we shall probably not see them for
weeks, even if at all thought it nay duty
to ride over and tell your father however
though" he added, archly, perhaps there
were other reasons which made me only too
ready to find an excuse for visiting Colonel
Zane"
IL suppose my fears are foolish, answered
bis companion, s'but with woman, instinct,
they say, sometimes takes the place of rea-
son; and | feel as if some great danger sur
rounded u.s."
at is the moonlight, Lizzy. nothing else"
gaily replied the lover. Il always feel a
touch Of sadness myself. on an evening like
this. Cheer up, dearest these are idle fan
cies. must, however, make the most Of this
uiJoulfSuts VI 10 Will pt Delutc icoSu
the fort. God bless you" be added, as be
kissed her again, adding bravely "if peril
should assail you, not ten thousand times ten
thousand of those red devils shall prevent
Fraucis Duke flying to your aid. !"
In another moment he had leaped upon
his horse. which stood hard by. and. with
parting wave of the hand, dashed off at
swinging trot His betrothed watched him
till he disappeared in the gloom Of the forest;
then, with sigh, she re-entered her fathers
house.
The family was about retiring and revcr
emily kissing Der parents, the beautiful girl
assembled to her chamber. But she could
net sleep. An indefnablc sense of danger
pressed upon her spirits and, throwing aside
the curtain of her window she sat down and
gazed without As she looked, vision rose
before her Of her lover hnfrying along the
forest depths while savage ambuscade wait
ed to receive him, and SO vived was the pic
ture that she rose, with start Of terror, and
could scarcely repress cry. But. the next
instant the illusion faded. the serene moon
light calmed her soul, and she resumed her
seat, ashamed Of her idle terrors.