The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1854-08-12

| cOldly.
Forgive, i'll have offended" With these
words the old man made an involuntary
movement, as if he would have taken the
outcast' hand.
lie drew it back quickly, cxclaiming, elm
prudent man, would you touch me? 2"
Yes; and would press your hand as that
of friend and comralc."
"Such happiness is denied me-" exclaimed
the prisoner with emotion.
you said you had sister, did she never
press your hand 2"
"Alas! she formed the last link between nc
and humanity. 1t pleased Heaven to sever
it, and to leave me the isolated, unconsoatcd
being you see me. We lived almost always
separated We avoided looking at each other
lest the sight of our dcformty might be too
shocking far us to bear. But we prayed to-
gcthcr, each in our separate solitude
Her loss must have left you lonely III
decd"
at was the example of my dying sister
that conquered all turbulent ami diSquicting
thoughts"
The rough old soldier tried to utter some
hearty words of sympathy and consolation.
-Aftcr moments pause, the lcpcr rose ::
Stranger, when | first bchcld you in my
garden, grief or some mghticr pas. in had
overcome you. Whenever it threatens to
master you again, think of the lepcr."
Costa felt that Providence had directed
him to this man ofmany suilcrngs. lie rose
to dcrart, having asked permission TO return
, on the morrow, to tell him all his griofs. The
lcpcr, cautoning him of the risk he ran, con-
scented.
Before he left the castle, the moon shonc
brightly, and the Solitary, fearful that Costa s
exit would be observed, went first. A low
murmnring sound proceeded from the road
Alarmed, he motiontd his guest to he still
The old sergeant retired a few steps: hy which
| means he got a view of the ruined garden.
which had formerly belonged TO the lcpcr's
sister: to his surprise he behold figure
crouching behind the trcllis-work partition,
as if to avoid observation 1t was that of Il
female. The lcpcr, who had also drawn back,
trcmblcd vsbly. He murmurcl loud enough
for Costa to hear, ''lmprulcnt GIRL"
"Lcpcr, stand back" cried harsh voice
suddenly at the gate. \ gcn,larmc appeared
the bright barrel of his Grclock, pointing at
the person addressed, CLEANED. in the NOON
beams The lcpcr retired to his hut. at the
window of which he instantly presented him
self Under the direction of his chief, who
had now entered the gaidcn, another police
officer went cautiously 10 the opposite side of
the trcllis: and presenting his mnskct, cried,
Stand, woman. Attempt to escape and |
must fire." The person thus spoken to burst
into tears.
"Spare her, spare her :" cried the lcpcr,
from his window. "It is true" he continued
addressing the Lieutenant ''tlat she has
broken the sanitary regulations Of the State
by visiting me. But this she has done since
my sisters death, without either taking or
communicating the infection. She sells my
flowers to procure me comforts that should
otherwise BE- without"
$780," said the officer, "this explains the
mystery. This accounts for her living in so
suspicious manner, in the ruined hut mile
hence. Though under surveillance, she clud-
cd our vigilance till this moment. Now,
however, our duty is imperative"
While these words were being uttered, old
Costa discovered that the girl was his own
child
His heart, so lately turned against her, was
now touched; and he exclaimed, "my dear
daughter" running forward to embrace her.
The soldier, however, lcvoll,d his piece, en-
claiming, ''touch her at your peril. She may
be infected" Costa, yc,rning to take his
daughter to his arms, was obliged to retreat.
The Lieutenant ordered the girl to retire.
Such was the dread of Infection that no ac-
tual arrest took place: but the police-soldicrs
kept their pieces levcllcd at the girl and her
father as they slowly retired from the garden.
The genlarmcs had not thus driven their
prisoners far before them before the Licutcn-
ant was again obliged to interfere. Another
person came up, and had nearly come into
forbidden contact with the girl. Martin
Brandt would have folded her in his arms.
Rcpulscd at the point of the bayonet, how
ever, he stood like one transfiXed, his face
turned towards the castle. The moon was
shining full upon it when the voice of the
lepcr, from the window of his hut, was heard
-"In the name of Heaven, young man, tell
INC your name!" he exclaimed.
Martin Brandt" was the reply.
'lIcaven be praised !" calculated the leper;
and nothing was audible for some moments
but his sobs.
"Nly dear MASTER" exclaimed Martin.
tYou, then, are the dreaded lcpcr But
MadcmoiscIle your sister,
Hush 70 whispered Costa.
The momentary interruption which the ap-
pcarance of Brandt had caused, now ceased,
and the officer gave the word Forward"
The father and daughter were driven towards
carriage, painted yellow; they were made
to enterit each occupying separate COM