The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1854-09-01

her burning hand, and wet with her tears W hch
| read as follows:
MADAM-In returning you the letters and
tokens which have had the honor to receive from
you, l wish you to understand that the engage
ment between us is broken off, now and forever.
\ ou are now at liberty to 1irt with whom you
please. | cannot share a heart with twenty
Others
Just like him said |, with bitterness, when
finished this laconlc and sententous eplstIe, and
was going to indulge IN philippe against him,
but she checked with such spirit. that was
fuin to hold my peace. | then offered, for her
sake, to 60 TO Elliott, and endeavor TO explain the
mailer.
'Alasn said she, you cannot; ne went off this
morning before daylight on a three months fur
lough, leaving that cruel note and packet of lei
Iers, TO be delivered 10 me on awaking. He has
gone, | presume, TO New Hampshire, where his
friends reside
Here were interrupted by the entrance of
Miss EveIne's mother and | took my leave, quite
cured of my love fit, and very thankful that |
had not subjected myself to the PAIN OF re-
fusaI
But | am spinning out my story too long.
When Elliott returned from his furlongh, he
treated me with even greater GOODNESS than be-
fore; in fact, we never spoke each other at ii,
except when duiy compelled US to do so. This
made it SO disagreeable TO me, that was on the
war with Mexico broke out F.; ordered
on active service, and private animoses were
forgotten in zeal against the common foe.
Elliott and | continued on much the same terms,
although, in spite of my dislike [ could not help
admirng his bravery, his noble daring, his ener-
gy and presence Of mind, and his fatherly care of
the troops under his command. Stll however,
the fame was smouldering in our bosoms, only
waiting opportunity 10 break out. At last The
opportunity came.
Elliott had beer left in charge of a large mum.
Der Of sick and wounded. while the rest o. the
army pressed on towards the Halls Of the Montez-
umas. | oil course there. with several assis.
tants. We were encamped in picturesque little
hamlet, situated in a wild, romantic neghborhood
and The country beng pretty quiet were in the
habit of venturng some distance from the encamp.
mcnt shooting, and sketching, perhaps flirting
for you know our fellows did not extend to the
Mexican senoritas the hostile feelings with which
they regarded The men, For myself, cannot
say that | admired them much :; some of them
we're very pretty TO be sure but that abominabIe
habit !hey have of smoking cigaritos spoiled them
my eyes. | like good cigar myself said the
Doctor, re-lightmg the one he held, which had gone
out, but don't like TO see woman smoking. J
couldn't fancy Venus herself with cigar in her
mouth
Well, one morning had saunered forth. port.
folio in hand, for the purpose Of taking some
sketches and in course of my wandefngs came
upon pretty little dwelling by the side ola water
fall, in sweet, scquestercd spot. On messy
bench by the door sal a young girl of wonderful
beauty, in snowy bu! pictures iue dress, with a
guitar in her hand, the sweet melodies OF which
blended delightfully."- with The soft murmurng dash
ofthe waterfall, and the gurg>ng Of the little stream
beyond it,. 1t was picture of surprising beauty
and oveliness, and Immediately sat down on
fallen tree to commit it to paper.
While thus employed, man observed ap-
preaching, nom soon found was no other than
Elliott himself As he ncared The cottage, the |
young girl, who had evidently been expecting
him threw down her gui'ar and ran eagerly 10 meet
him. He sat dawn beside her on he bench when
suddenly observing me, he started as if serpent
he'd stung him, and hastily approached me. He
glared upon with a look in which all the hat red
that had been gathering for so many years seem.
ed concentrated.
This is the second time sir said he forcey, |
{ that you have crossed my parh-it shall be the |
last time Follow me if you tere =
" If by crossing your path said |, you mean
an a!lusion to that young woman, assure you ] |
have not spoken to her, nor approached nearer to
than am now
GO Must | call you coward 7" said he; will |
YOU follow me or not ?
Il threw down my drawing material and follow
ed him. He entered the chapparal, and led The
way 10 clear space near running brook. Here
he turned and drew his sword. Defend yourseIlr
he exclaimed.
"Captan Elliott said |, although am not
conscious of having injured you, am ready to
give YOU the satisfaction you demand. But had
we not better return to the camp, obtain seconds
and conduct The affair in the regular manner 2"
"No,' said he, Il will not wait. | will hold no
further parley with YOU Defend yoursefn
Thus adjured. | drew my sword but had
scarcely done hen something whzzed past
me, sharp report was heard, and with wild cry
Elliott fell at my feet. | looked for an instant be-
hind me, and saw The dark countenances Of haIf-a-
dozen Mexicans as they prepared 10 reload their
pieces, and then fed into the chappara, 'tarrying
no longer question: On-on | sped; this way
and that way, through The tangled thicker, tripping
my feet long trailing vines, scratching my ha nds
On thorns; until, completely worn out, climbed
up a lofty tree and hid myself among lis Ieafy +
branches Here remained Tor several hours and
heard my pursuers crashing amongst the under
wood, shouting, swearing, calling TO each other;
Dot gradually .he sounds died away, the chase
seemed to be given up, and was left alone in that
Wild unbroken solitude.
The afternoon was lsr advanced when, driven
partly by hunger, partly by The dread of passing
he night in the chaPparai, sventured 10 descend
rom my Ieafy covert, where the mosquitoes had
made least of me. and the monkeys had chartered
;,L, py-