Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1853-02-03
SELECTED STORY.
From the United Service Magazine.
TH e p Il E ID GE:
An Incident Of Frontier Warfare
{ CcoNcLUDED.1

s4 l. .
The long summer day was far advan
ced, and Mark Thorncastle was just be-
ginning to wish some ,idings Of his sharp
shooters, when an Indian youth issued
from the woods with the air and pace of
a messenger, and before the old soldier
could reach the gate, cheer from his
scanty garrison prepared him for we.-
come news. There was note, too,
scrawled in Stephenson's rude caligra-
ply. informing the commander that their
work was done, and in gallant style,
/, and that they should reach the fort tha,
evening. "And tell Willa," he added.
"shat Norman Reed is regular right.
down hero. and reverences her just as
the Indians do their totems."
A courilier man than rough Alick Sie-
phenson might have fel, fattered had he
saw the eagerness with which Villa
caught up his note, which her father
threw to her, laughing. And then, safe
in her own room, she read those few
words over and over again with an in
sentness which their brevi;y seemed to
scarcely require. The hours stole away.
bul Villa never moved from the post she
had taken at the window, which CON-
manded full view of the gate of the
fort. and that part Of the clearing which
the returning party would have to pass
over.
Al length the setting sunbeams were
"glis,ened back" from their polished RI
fes. as they came over the fields, where
in more peaceful times wheat had ripen.
ed, and maize waved its long siken
tresses on the breeze. They neared the
fort. No wonder Villas heart bea, so
violently, Tor she felt how much The
present hour was to her. And now they
reached the gate-shere was young man
at Siephenson's aide whom she had nev-
er seen before. As Villas glance rest
ed on him. he looked up, and she saw
his bright and handsome features. An
other instant and his cap was Withdrawn
from the sunny curls. and rapid bow
betrayed that the stranger had seen her.
Villa drew back hastily in confusion;
she had no, expected to be observed in
that lofty post. Yet she Eel. happy, for
she had seen the hero of her girlish
dreams.
itseemed scarcely few minutes ill
an Indian girl, her servant. knocked at
the door. "Mamselle Villa, lie cap.
taine want you--say, make has,e!"
The summons must, she knew, be
obeved; for Mark Thorncastle was not
one Of the most patient men, and had lit
tie sympaty with feminine scruples of
fsstidiousness. So she descended with
a fluttering heart. Again she met the
same light smile and beaming glance,
now eloquent with admiration, and the
blood rushed yet deeper to her cheek
and brow.
"Norman Reed" said her father.
II was another he addressed. Villa
saw dark face, crossed by large dis
figuring scar. then mist swan before
her eyes, the blood vanished from her
brow and cheek. and she nearly fell to
the ground. By violent effort she re.
covered herself, but she could no, raise
her eyes again, and she shuddered as
her cold hand was placed in iha, of Nor.
man Reeds.
But Villa Thorncastle was heroine
after all; and though she could not look
on the face of her betro,hed all that even,
ing as che sat at supper with him, heI
father. and Stephenson, and the young
stranger whose presence had made this
blow more painful. she stroye bravely to
conquer her emotions and let none per-
ceive how heavy weight lay upon her
heart. And for while she talked and
laughed with a spirit and gaiety which
might well have deceived many; bu,
when that was over we will not follow
her into her room to witness her tears,
for heroes and heroines are merely men
and women. land sometimes very weak
ones, when once the door is shu, upon
the world.
But though old Thorncastle and his
iieutenans might be blinded, there were
two whose sight was much keener, and
whose hearts taught them 10 read every
thing quick enough--,he handsome s.ran-
ger. who laid his head down to think
and dream sweetly of the beautiful Will
la Thorncas.le. often heard of but never
seen before that day; and Norman Reed,
who paced his room for hours after Will
Ia had wept herself TO sleep.
"Madman--fool that was to think |
might win her loye!" he mutiered' SAY,
women prize brave deeds well enough,
but il is when there is handsome face.
also, to suit their liking. Why couldn't
some stray bullet have put an end 10 my
days at Moore's Fort! Then she might
have shed a tear for me; now she would
rejoice at my death. But she need not" "
he continued, smiling bitterly. "The
nnsighsly face does not always cover SO
deformec heart. and il l cannot have
her love, ! will not make my own plea
to gain her hatred.
50 None but the brave;
None but the brave;
sa None but the brave deserve the fair"
So sang rough but pleasant voice, as
Reed stepped into the fresh air the mex,
morning, and Stephenson came forward
/ TO greet him kindly. 1t seemed good
omen. and for moment the cloud of