Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1855-06-13
q Grnf Nmratibe,
STOLEN BRIDE.
CHAPTER I.

AT the close Of sultry day in golden
August, a carriage might have been seen
slowly vending its way over rough and
dreary road, that led through deep rayines,
and wild mountain passes, up to the city :ot
of M.--.., The. vehicle cauIained- -Lard
Manville and lady, their daughter Eleanor
and her accepted future husband, Sir Charles
Delton.
A shadow of anxiety rested on each
counteuance, for the shades Of night were
fast falling, aud the darkness of evening was
deepened by thick, angry clouds that shaded
the still mountain path, threatening to show.
er their contents upon the travellers Sud.
denly bright flash of lurid lightning gleam-
iug for a moment through the pass. but only
to render the darkness more instense after
its departure.
"Nero," said Lord Manville to the coach.
man, chow far have we to travel before
reaching the city?'
"Ten miles, sir; over ascending road, so
that for the next two miles, at least, the
horses can do no better than walk"
"Use all possible speed, for | don't much
like the thought Of passing the night in this
lone place, especially since the last reports
of its inhabitants reached my ear."
"Of whom do you speak! not The Ban.
ditti!" exclaimed the terrified ladies.
"rhe same! but we hope they are now
far from here" said Lord Manville, noticing
their alarm.
At this moment peal Of thunder that
seemed to rend the very mountains rolled
over them, and flash even brighter than its
predecessors for moment lighted up tue
dreary pathway. What was the consterna.
lion of the driver to see before them, and
standing directly in their way, an armed
horseman! he was evidently waiting their
approach. 1t needed not second view to
tell the watchful servant that the Brigands
were before them. Anxious, if possible, to
escape, and not wishing to alarm the inmates
of the carriage sooner than necessary, ne
quietly aud quickly turned about, and with
lightning speed dashed down the hill. So
sudden and unexpected had been this
Land so deep the darkness that suce ~.
the flash that only by The noise made by the
descending carriage did the robber known Of
their retreat; but another flash showed to
the persuer the pursued, aud blowing shrill
whistle, he was joined by eight or ten of his
confederates, and together they dashed
wildly after their victims. However, that
moments delay gave to the carriage the ad.
vantage, and hope sprang up.in the heart of
its occupants, who by this time were appris-
ed of their dangerous situation Again the
vivid light flashes! Again rolled the mighty
thunder. Then came fearful crash, and
the horses could be urged no farther.
Lord Manville sprang out, and the ser.
want told him that a huge tree had fallen
across the road, and that the Brigands were
upon them. The. ladies were senseless from
fear, and Sir Charles was about to propose
retreat into the forest, when the sound of
the robbers horses ,prancing on all sides,
told them any attempt to escape would prove
futile; a moment more, and Lord Manvllle
and Sir Charles were roughly bound.
"What want you Sir Brigand, of US be.
lated travellers2" asked Lord Manville, "if
it is our money, takeit, and let us 60 safely
on our way: our lives could be Of no ser.
vice to you, except to add another stain to
your already black souls"
"Lord Manville, | am no stranger to you,
though in this thick darkness you may not
recognize me-. .'Tis not your life or gold of
which would rob you, but something that
to you may be, and to me certainly is, OF
far greater value. Do you not remember
Don Pedro, the rejected sutor of the fair
Eleanor Manvillee am he, and the time
of my revenge is at hand; mine she shall
be, and never another's"