Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1854-03-23

imprecation, which we do not care TO
write .....- .....-... ...... ..
"Are you all turned cowards!" he ex-
claimed, springing to his feet. "l'll do
il myself, then-since you are afraid"
He seized long hickory wlthe, that
had been cut and trimmed for the pur-
pose, and, advancing toward Thornton,
with this uplfted in the act Of striking,
insolen,ly demanded
"Will you confess, you ,hieving ras-
cal!" -
Thornton turned his head so as to
look him full in the face.
"Bolton," he said, with the same cool.
ness as before, "you have it in your pow.
er, if these men will allow themselves
to be governed by you, to work your
will for the present. Blu, | warn you
now. that you must either lake my life,
or lose your own! a# ...
In the pause which ensued, while
Bolton held the wiihe suspended in the
air, Tilford, who lay with his ear TO the
ground, heard, at a distance, the cls.ter
of hoofs upon the road. Quick as
thought he interposed, 10 gain time.
Bolton" he hastily called, .'before
you strike, lie, me make a charge against
you. Regulators" he continued, "ihis
money was stolen by Bolton himself,
and he is only directing suspicion to-
ward another, in order that he may es-
cape it. If you will force him to wait
ten minutes it shall be proven here"
The accusation was well-timed, though
made, so far as Tilford knew, without
evidence. Astonishment suspended the
blow for moment, until reflection show
ed the furious leader that he had now no
alternative but to submit, at least for the
ten minutes. Several of the cooler men
now interfered, willing to see the pro-
ceedings arrested in any way, but in
credulous of Tilford's charge, Bolton
burst into loud, affected laugh, thus
covering hi, impoient rage. But his
cheek blanched, and the loud words OF
defiance sunk back into his throat, when.
upon the noise dying away. the gallop-
ing of several horses was heard immedi.
aiely at hand. The next moment Mel
lie Lowden, with her two brothers and
the peddler, dashed within the circle of
light, and springing hastily to the ground,
pointed to Bolton and exclaimed
''Arrest this man--I accuse him Of
robbery" .... ....
"You are my prisoner" said Currie.
laying his hand upon his shoulder a, the
same moment.
The discounted ruffian aimed blow
at Currie's head, but his arm was seized
from the other side, and few moments
sufficed to bind him as securely as he
rad bound Thornton. Nellie stood
watching the process, her fine figure di.
lating in the lurid light Of The fire, and
her eyes flashing with the reused spiri,
within.
"Now, where is Thornton?" she de-
manded, in voice which rang through
the silen, forest like silver bell.
Some of the Regulators had already
released him, and, having resumed his
clothes. he stepped forward into the light.
Nellie's fierce spirit melted away-with
a cry she rushed into his arms, and, lay.
ing her head upon his shoulder she wept
like child.
"Oh, Basil, Basil!' she sobbed, show
much wrong you have endured in one
day!"
81 can forgive it all now, Nellie" he
said, taking her head between his hands,
and pressing his lips to her forehead.
"AnG me, too? and-and TilfOrd,'
che added in whisper.
"Yes, yes-all-all." he replied; sand
this reminds me that Iillord is prison.
er and"
"Not now," said the latter close to
his side. ",hanks to Currie's prompt
ness. And l see that Currie's sister has
severed other bonds that held me, beside
the Regulators halter"
He smiled Significantly as he spoke,
and glanced at her hand, which still rest.
ed upon Thornsor's arm. A warm
blush overspread her face; she drew the
hand hastily away, and beckoning to
Tilford, passed out of ear-sho,. The
latter followed her, smiling pleasantly,
and. when she stopped and seemed to
hesitate how TO begin the conference. he
frankly said
81 know whatyou would say, Nellie
and will save you the trouble. You
mean that you were mistaken when you
supposed that you loved me, and tha
Thornton was really the happy man he
aspired 10 be. after all. Is i, not so!"
"Yes," she replied; ''but you mus
not suppose that Il"
20 no, Ill suppose nothing to dispar
age you" he interrupted; "especially al
! might be arraigned upon the same
charge"
"What do you meant" she asked ig
surprise.
IL mean," he said, still smiling ".hat
like yourself, was already thinking o
a return to my first love; and ] hoped tt
be forgiven for my inideli,y, only be
cause | encountered SO great temp.a
tion to wander"
IL shall no. plead the same excuse
though l see your vanity expects it, ,
she replied. with laugh Of relief
"But who is this first love- who seem,
now to become the third'"
III will ask her brother whether h,