The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1854-12-27

sympathy. AS she stood looking out
! gponthe scene before her, suddenly the
.neighingo of horse reached her ears from
1.-the road which passed along at right an.
I giles to the avenue, about a half mile
distant. Again the sharp shrill neigh
rose upon the air like the clear blast Of
a clarion, and Dorah imagined thatshe
could almost hear the tramp of her low
er's. steed along the firm and well troden
/ highway. She gazed intently down the
long avenue, taxing her eyes to the ut
most, to distinguish. the horse or rider
through the gloom as he passed the
point where the avinues intersected the
higway.
!" It is the day he should have come"
murmered the maiden, as with her hand
she shaded her eyes from the strong
glare of the moon, and gazed intently
down the avenue. A moment more
and she beheld the moon light glisten
upon the sleek coat of powerful animal
| as he turned off from the highway, and
entered the avenue leading to the house.
"God be praised, it is indeed he, :"
she exclaimed, as she recognized the
well known steed of her.love
:" Michel COMES" and ,retiring to her
chamber, she re-lighted her lamp, and
waved it thrice joyfully at her window
to tell her lover that she had watched
for and discovered his coming. Then
casting herselfupon her knees and bury
ing her face in her hands, wept tears of
thankfullness and joy for the safe return
of one who was dearer to her heart than
life itself.
Some ten or iftean minutes had elaps-
ed and this beautiful woman still knelt
with her face buried in her hands; when
suddenly arustling was heard among the
leaves of the oak that grew near her win
dow to the right of the portico, and
slight jarring among its boughs, and a
grating against its trunk, such as would
be caused by one climbing it from below.
She rose to her feet, and a glance
through the open window served to re-
veal to- her the figure of a handsome
man who had ascended the tree to the
height of her window, and was now ma
king his way along bough that projec-
ted to within few inches of one of the
corner pillars of the balcony.
In her surprise, her first impulse was
to scream aloud, but the voice of her
lover, whose quick eye had already dis
covered her, disarmed her fears for her.
self, and she now began to feel seriously
alarmed for the peril in which his seem
ing rashness had involved himself
The limb upon which he was slowly
making his way to the balcony was near
ly thirty feet from the gravelly court
beneath and seemed quiet too frail to
support even the weight of a slender
STRIPPING, much less of one of the robust
of Michael; but while she stood petrifed
by astonishment and terror, her lover
was gradually nearing the column, then
casting his arm around it, and finally
releasing his hold of the bough, leaped
lightly to the ballustrade, and at length
stood safe and secure upon the balcony
With a cry of Joy she few through
the open door, and falling into his arms,
relieved her oXerwreughs feelings by
food of tears.
" l haye come" were the first words
of her lover, as he pressed her to his
bosom, +" but as seldom as we meet, dear
Dora, | find the country so unsafe for
me, that we must meet to part almost
in one breath"
Not so soon, l trust, Michael" ans
wered Dora hastily )" have SO much
to say to you, and am so unhappy here,
that would follow you to the camp, and
be even your servant there, rather than
we should part agai in"
" hope dear Qora," answered Mich
el as he led her from the balcony into
her chamber, " that Isaac Wharton has
not forgotten the kindness due you ?"
Not that, Michael, not that" she
quickly, as she marked the
flush of anger and surprise that flashed |
over the earnest features of her lover,
'' but our neighborhood is no longer
what it once was; but five miles distant
from this very spot, the tories are to
have grand meeting on the day after
to morrow"
Ha say you SO l'' replied Michael |
eagerly, while a CLEAN of joy flashed |
from his eyes. HWhere meet they, and
how heard you news so important and |
Relcome as this p"
otherwise % responded the fair woman,
while her check grew a shade paler. NJ
myself heard their leaders under this
very roof when they boastingly told of
the preparations they had made for the
rendezvous of their ragged followers at
the field on Tarcote, a grand supper is |
to be prepared for their traitorous guests.
New weapons are to be distributed to
their followers with an unsparing hand,
ind provisions, clothing and money be-
slowed upon all who will join them
The whole country is astir, and the no.
torious Tynes who is to take command |
IS already in the neighborhood with a
number of active and audacious follow
ers."
On my soul, Dora" exclaimed
Michael, with an animated gesture, this
will be noble news for my commander.
But has the rascally tories no fear that
Marion would hear of their gathering,
md be an unbidden guest ?''
"Indeed they do not," replied she.
Nor do they dream of danger now
Marion is believed to be far distant, and
200 feeble even if aware of their purpose,
20 venture abroad to oppose them"
+" On my soul they are fools as well
ully.. No longer since than morning
left my brave general with two hun.
lred as gallant soldiers as ever fought
lnder the banner of freedom. Conyers
,anting for the fight, is in the camp with
full troop, and we are ready at q word
o rush down upon the enemy like a
But am astonished be-
Tond measures that our scouts ever
Eont to be prompt and vigilant, failed
N gather and tranamiE tn Marion intel