Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1854-06-10

was renowned Tor learning, benevolenCe,
and piety. The youthful chieftain had been
also trained TO arms, was accomplished in
Eall the exercises Of knigbthood, anG had
! frequently exhibited his prowess in the
ieudal conflict and the border foray. He
had ever avoided a recontre with the vas
sails of bis houses foe, and his followers
had often marked with surprise, that he
Seemed to be more like the silent friend
than1the open enemy OF the Krkconnels.
The secret Of bis conduct, however, SO
strange in that semi-barbarian age, had been
revealed but to one person-to Carron, his
henchman, his faithful friend and his ios-
ter brother. To him he had narrated the
story OF his love-to him he had confessed
that from the days of childhood, he had
entertained an affection for lair Ellen of
Kirkconnell-and TO him he had declared,
| (oh thought Of rapture,) that his tender
emotions had met with a responsive echo
in the bosom of his beautiful mistress
Their interviews had been frequent but sto-
len, and the wild rocks, the forest glades,
and the sequestered dells Of both domains,
had often been silent witnesses oil their
vows of mutual and undying love. They
We're, indeed, formed for each other, for
both were pure in mind, elevated in soul,
and distinguished by those bright virtues
which derive additional luslre from the
freshness and ingenuouSness of youth How
often Gid they lament together in tears, the
feud which divided their families How
often did the sanguiue spirit OF love de-
ceiye their imagnaionS, with the golden
hues Of bright and Joyous future But,
alas they little calculated on the bitter
and impacable hatred of Maxwell of Kirk
connel, who deemed the destruction of the
house Of Nithisdale duty he owed to his
ancestors, and tribute that he was resol-
we'd to pay TO .he memory of their vindic-
tive shades. The only confident of Ellen,
was her faithful attendant Minna, between
whom and the henchman Carron, similar
attachment had sprung up; and thus, they
were bound in the bonds Of love, to guard
with care the important secret. And yet,
it was in vain that they attempted 10 con-
ceal it from Malcolm, who since the death
of the old Laird of Ni,hisdale, had felt for
| his noble pupil all the affection Of father,
while he preserved over him the influence
OF trusted advisor and coniessor. Within
few months of the period OF our story, he
had warned him OF the consequences of
such an attachment, pointed out the misery
il was likely to entail upon him, and re-
minded him of the boast of bis rivals house
-"The revenge OF the Krkconneil is slow,
but sure" And while he gently chided
Nithisaale for having concealed this, his
only and his dearest secret from the reve-
lations of the confessional, he implored him
with tears in his eyes, TO conquer his own
passion, and TO prevail upon Ellen 10 for
get that he had ever been her lover. But
it was all in vain. The love OF Nithsdale
and Ellen was as undying as had been the
hatred of their fathers. ..-s~a. 81. ..
In an evil hour, the fatal story of their
secret meetings was related by ar offcious
vassal to Maxwell of kirkconnell. His
rage knew no bounds. He repaired TO the
apartments of his daughter, whom he re-
preached with having dishonored herhousc.
Ellen, stung by his remarks, and yet inca
pabe of deceit, at once confessed and glo-
ried in her affection. She praised the
character, bravery, and virtues Of her lover
-condemned the, upchris,ian malignity OF
the ieud which had rendered the families
limplacabie foes, and coniured her father to
listen, at least, TO the overtures Of Nithis-
dale, before he sacrificed her happiness to
an unholy hatred. Neither her language
nor her tears had any other effect upon the
Baron, except that of rendering his hat
more fell and deadly. AT length, Ellen
declared that her hand should never be
given in marriage, save to Nithisdale, that
to him she was already atIianced, and that
he alone should receive the offering of her
heart in the solemn Offices of the church.
8u, the Baron grew more furious. After
another burst OF passion, in which he lhrea-
tened that if she did not abandon her lover,
even the sacred relationship of daughter
should not save her from being involved in
his meditated vengeance-he gazed upon
her for few moments in silence, and then
slowly retiring srom the room, he exclam-
ed in a firm voice-"Remembe the re-
venge of the Kirkconnel is slow, but sure.'
Ellen contriyed, through her attendant
Minna, 10 apprise her beloved Nithisdale
of the scene which had taken place. She
exhorled him 10 send TO the enraged Baron,
10 tell the story of their love, and endeavoT
10 deprecae his wrath. But Nithisdale
whose frank and manly soul ever chose the
most open and honorable path, went in
person TO Kirkconnell, accompanied by
Malcolm and Carron. lie there declared
his passion, dwelt upon the ancient fame
Of his family, condemned and abandoned
the feud that divided the two houses, and
in the most respectful manner, solicited the
hand OF the fair Ellen in marriage. II,
promised all that could be expected from q
son, a friend aud warrior.
The Baron listened to him with ealu
/ and icy GOODNESS, and when he had conelu-
drd, rejected his overture with seorn, III
/, said that he should prove unworthy OF /
! long line OF ancestry, il he did not pursue
, their hereditary feud 10 the death. "Ti
y Tor that" said he, s',hsl desire 10 liye.--
. To crafty my hatred TO thy house, is III,
dearest wish OF my soul lFrmbe will
delight AT the thought OF future Vengeance
= Remember thou, our boasl--'Ihai the re
. ,enge ollhe kTkeOnnell Is slow, but suFe.'
. Ola MALCOLM, the monk of lona, eonlu
. red him by the sacred religion of the Goa
i pei, BY his peace Of conscience and haPpi
!. ness "a lbis world, BIZ hIs duty a. a ialheI
/. by hn love ior his daughter, and by hl
A