Plymouth banner. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1852-1855, 1854-12-07
ELLEN W ELLES;
THE SIEGE FORT STANWIX.
REVOLUTIONARY STORY.
BY p. II. MYERS, ESQ.
lCoNTIN
CHAPTER VIII.
BY P. II. MYERS, ESQ.

CHAPTER VIII.
When Ellen arrived in ihe British
camp. her delight at finding the story OF
her lovers captivity and wounds untrue.
scarcely left room either for Indignation
at the fraud which had been practiced up
on her. or for alarm at her personal peril.
Her fathers extreme illness also imme-
diately engrossed her attention, until the
day before the figh. of the army, when
melancholy event had occurred, and the
retreat was about TO commence, she ap-
piled TO Sir John Johnson for permission
TO remain behind, and enforced her ap-
! peals with every argument that fear or
! hope could dictate. But the artful Wal
don had anticipated this movement. Cap
tain Helles. entertaining the strongest
prejudice both against Dudley and the
American cause. and still reposing mista-
ken confidence in Walden, had been pre-
vailed upon, in his last hours, to cons,i-
tute the latter the qua ardian of his child,
and had enjoined upon him to see her re-
moved to some more loyal district. He
had also expressed strong desire that at
fitting time, the guardian and ward
might assume the relationship of husband
aud wife 1t was not surprising. there
fore, that the loyalist leader turned deaf
ear TO the entreaiies of Ellen. as Sir John
would scarcely have required so good an
excuse either for rewarding a friend or
Furnishing political enemy. He did
not even hesitate TO assert that he hoped,
within few weeks, to see the guardian S
power transformed into that martial au-
lhority which the late Captain Welles
had evidently been SO anxious should be
established. That event." he contin-
ued. with lofty air, and in an unfeeling
tone, will effectually put an end to any
puerile attachments which you may fan
cy you have formed, and to those equally
puerile, but more pernicious political
sentiments which you seem TO have i'm
bibed"
Convinced that all effort in this quar-
ter was useless, she next resolved to appeal
TO the generosity of Waldon himself. But
she little knew the nature of the man in
to whose foils she had fallen. He openly
exu!ted in the power which he possessed
over both the person and property of his
unfortunate ward
Circumstances. he said. with a cool
sarcasm. required their immediate depart
ure for Oswego, at which place he hoped
tor leisure and means TO affect change
in her views. The Arguments which she
undervaued in n lover, would be more
potent, he thought, from the lips of hus-
band. in which light he begged Miss
Weiles, from the inevita BILE necessity OF
the case, 10 accustom herself TO look up
on him. in future. The nuptials indeed
he said. were already arranged; and Sir
John had himself promised to give away
the bride. "Miss Welles will not fla tier
herself" he concluded in severe tone.
"that any contingency can prevent this
result. Contumacy might indeed prevent
any public ceremony, but would secure
to her no further immunity"
Astounded ard madiened by these
fearful threats. Ellen, nearly in state OF
unconsciousness. continued sitting in the
tent which had been allotted to her use.
long after Wa.don's departure. When
she revived. she was startled TO perceive
that she had another companion. who
bore the appearance of private soldier;
but her alarm was quickly changed to de-
light, rs she recognized in the intruder s
face. the familiar and welcome counte-
nance Of Rogers.
Enjoining the strlctest secrecy, the ser
geant fastened TO inform Ellen that he
knew her danger. and that his only bust
ness in the British camp was to attempt
her rescue. At the same time, he assured
her that there was no present prospect of
relief, and that all he should probably be
ena bed to do. would be to second such
efforts os Dudley would undoubtedly y
make in her beholf. He also reminded
her, that not only his ability to aid her,
but his life itself, depended upon her dis
cretion, The interview was necessarily
brief. but it resulted in a partial renova-
ton Of Ellen's spirits; and committing
her cares and hopes to Him who "hears
the signing Of the needy" she patiently
awaited the development Of events.
Rogers had Joined the army as loyalist.
ohu, Hol ptlnS hHO " u as d utStTltI, no
suspicion had attached to him. Wal
don knew nothing of b participation in
the defence at Lee's,o- of his subsequent
enlistment at the fc.t. and being equally
ignoran! OF his intimacy with Dudley,
never doubted his loyalty. He had. there
fore easily procured an interview with
Miss Welles. as an acquaintance and for
mer neighbor. The perfect secrecy Of
his move ments had been prompted by
his habitual caution, and bv the great
danger of any fumors following him to
the British camp. which would result in
his trial and conviction as spy He
cared little for the temporary odiun of a
deserter al home, while he retained the
| confidence of Dudley, who he believed
would rightly conjecture his designs.
How little bis confidence was misplaced,
will appear.
CHAPTER TX.