Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1854-06-10
'SUNBURY, NORTHU CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PA, jsATUR
SATURDAY. JUNE 10, 1854.
ia.AlI D entreatles and & renonglrances wer.

| lbe Baronrepied---"l respect thy Olllce,
venerable father, in all things save. one
my family bond of revenge. Hence
Sand thou not between a Scottish noble
4 and his feudal foe.' 7aa'a.vun) adl aTl
h. At this moment, Ellen burst into the
audience-chamber, aud threw herself at
her fathers feet, tears streaming from her
eyes, and her beautiful auburn hair falling
wildly about her ivory neck. Alas her
presence and impassioned .supplicatons,
only added fuel to the fire of hate that
burned in her fathers breast. He rose from
| his seat, commanded his visitors to depart,
and as he left The room, exclaimed in
voice ofthunder-"R Remember, the revenge
OF the Krkconnell is slow, but sure"
s A sorrowful but aftectionate embrace and
renewed protestation of attachment be-
tween the lovers, marked their last sad
meeting. When separated BY Malcolm,
Nithisdale gently drew small tartan scarf
from the neck of his mistress, saying, "Fair
Ellen, will keep this as the gage OF my
lady-love. go to the Holy Wars. The
sight of this dear pledge shall inspire me
in the day of battle. In two years will
return it too thee, when thy lover shall
have performed deeds, worthy of thy love
and beauty-deedS, that with the blessing
of heaven, shall soften even the wrath ot
thy stony-hearted father. But, il. fall by
the sword of the infdel, I charge my
henchman, Carron, TO bring it to thee with
the heart of thy devoted Nithisdale enclo-
sed in an urn, to be placed in the tomb of
his fathers"
A last, long, lingering look, and fair
Ellen retired, while Nithisdae was slowly
led from the castle by Malcolm and Carron.
-a A few days saw the gallant warrior al
tended BY a chosen band, on his way to
Palestine. More than once, during his
absence, pilgrims and palmers arrived in !
Scotland, and filled the country with the /
fame of his progidies of valor. o.an2 |
The Baron invited the noblest Of his 1
friends to the castle. He projected tue
most illustrous alliances for his daughter
but fair Ellen refused every suitor, and re-
mained true TO her plighted vows. Her
constancy dcepened the fell malice of her
sire. He became as il possessed with the
spirit OF a demon. Schemes to crafty his
deadly teud filled his thoughts by day, and
haunted him in dreams by night. Even
his dear and only daughter, who had
! thwarted the fonGest wishes of his ambition
so potent was the spell of Satan over
his soul--was not exempt from the wild
and awful purpose OF his fearlnl hate. How
ardently did he hope that Nithisdale would
not fall by the sword Of the Saracen, but
live TO become his victim ....f .......,
AT length ihe,two years rolled away
! Nithisdale returned. His heart beat high
with hope and love and pictured Joy. He
reached a gorge at the entrance Of the val
ley which still bears his name, when his
little band was assailed by host OF war
riors, clad in the Maxwell arms and tattan,
and urged forward in the work ofstriie by
the well known and dreadful voice of their
leader, shouting; "The revenge of the
Kirkoonnell is slow, out sure" Bot few
escaped The massacre. Overpo~ered by
numbers, resistance was in vain. As the
warrior chieftain fell beneath the perfdious
assault of his foes, he drew the tartan scarf
from his bosom, and with his dying accents,
laintly said--"Give this, with my heart, to
fair Ellen OF Kirkconnell."
H. "Thy wish shall be gratifed," exclaimed
the Baron, as he received the gage from
one Of his attendants. ........ ,.,....r-.
So secret had been The preparations, that
Ellen knew not OF any unusual gathering
and departure OF armed men,. Her bosom
also beat high with hope, for she knew
that the time appointed for the return OF
her lover, was about TO expire and she
gloried in the fame OF his deeds. The gray
shadows of evening began to fall. AS she
entered the portals of the castle, after a
pensive and solitary walk in The neighbor-
ing grounds, her spirit was oppressed with
heaviness. She felt prophetic warning
of approaching woe-of some sorrow,
dreadful but underlined.
The heat Of conflict, the shedding of
blood-and that the blood OF the enemy of
his house--had excited the Baron TO a ie-
rocty that bordered on madness. He was
drunk win gratifed hate, and having en-
ioined secrecy upon the Captains of his
clan, as to The ahray of the morning, he
sent message TO his daughter, bidding her
TO repair to the banqueiting hall at the ac-
customed hour, and cheer the evening meal
with her presence.
The tables were set, the banquet was
prepared, the hall was lighted, the hardS
were present, aud the Baron and his chief
tans were assembled round the board. Pale
and melancholy, yet beautiful in her sor-
row, fair Ellen entered, received the greet
ing Of the numerous guests, and occupied
her place of honor q. the festive board.
Gloom marked the progress of the ban
Quet No Joyous hilarity was apparent
Expectation aud even dread seemed to be
indicated in every eountenance. The feast
accomplished, the Baron rose, aud his cup
! bearer having handed him bowl, he pre-.
: pared 10 pledge his guests,
, "Friends," said he, "the uubending iirm-
! nsss aud stern resolves OF my house, shall
: never be forgotten by your chief. | pledge
! you in an OVERLOOKING bowl, with the SEN
r iiment, Of obstruction 10 the enemies OF
: our elaa -" Then assuming an air aud
: tone Of triumph, which impaired 10 biz
= eoanlsnanee an unearlhly aspect, he pro-
: eevded-"Behold the sacrifice | make ia
support OF the feud Of kirkeonnell. Be-
: hold the scarf" he said, waving Il In hil
, hand, given By my daughter Ellen, 10 1
+ gage Of love and plighird iailh, 10 Niihis
, dale. Il u now dyed with biz blood. III
Is tell The victim ol ouF iyud."
/. | All .......ut ,.af. .ty.I inia silrufe