Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1855-03-14
NO. 81.

| lone spot one summer eve. One met You and
warned you to depart; but you, with your fear
| less daring, would go on. The man laid a strong
hand on you to turn you back, and your fierce
spirit was reused, and with the bitter words of
dog and smuggler.' you struck him blow in
the face. The remembrance of that hour has
never been washed away, and in it sworn
a deep oath Of Vengeance. Look at the sub
altern Ridglcy, and read in his countenance
the name of Mattco Levesci; name at which
you have often quailed in days gone by.
81 have followed your footsteps, and ven
geance would have been mine, but that. dolt
that was, trusted child with the secret
She warned you well-my Madison be on her
head for it. hate you with bitter hatred'
and clenching his teeth he sunk back.
1t all came back to Roland Cranstoun's
memory. The sunny spot and the dark cave
that had beguiled him from his home in the
days of his boyhood TO see what treasure it
| contained, and the bounding step, and bright
beautiful smile in the fairy-lke child who Oft
en- stole away with him by the sea-shore. when
the smugglcr's bark was afar; and the moment
of passion in which that blow had been struck,
and the disappearance of Martin Walters soon
after. II all come back to him like some half
forgotten dream. Now he knew where he had
heard the voice: and met the eye of the young
girl whose kindly warning had so often saved
his life; and he turned shuddering away from
the dark page of human passions which Wal
ters' life presented. Ridgley waved them all
from him, and desired TO be alone with his
priest. When the old man came forth from the
"a .l., l. -
to its final account.
Gently as possible was the news of his death
communicated to his suffering child. A feel
ing OF pity and horror at his impious end was
all the emotion it could excite. His own hand
had torn asunder the strong ties of filial love.
true name, cannot so soon part from you
Immune yourself in convent for Hfe-No,
you shall go back with me to England, and be
to me sister,
ssBut, kind lady''-and her tones were
Musical, but sadly sweet.
Such rs when winds and harp strings meet
ssI have none to welcome ME there / am poor
and alone. Few years may go by ere l shall
be as one forgotten, whilst You, and those
with whose destiny mine has been so fearfully
interviewer, viii be in halls of gladness and
mirth, surrounded by all You love-
sNever, Leila, never,'' exclaimed Grams
toun, who stood now before the astonished
girl-s'never--I love you, Lelia-nay, turn
not away; and it must be as my bride that you
again go forth into the world that has SO sore
ly tried your YOUTH
'sBut am not of your faith or country, for
my fth har YxoS oil md I
wealth and name.''
'sMy kindred shall be thine, Leila. They
owe you deep debt, it shall be repaid in af-
fection; and though our creeds differ, our
hearts worship the same Being-''
Still she hesitated, and flush after flush was
mantling her check and brow. She, the snug
gler,s daughter, to be the bride of the high
born Cranstoun, and carry naught Of dowery
to him. There was woman's strong love, and
stronger pride, contending for mastery.
Lady Sedlcy took her hand-ssYou are
young, Leila, to quit the bright world. and
pass years of lonely vigiis and penanees. Think
deeply-a happy home, and affections spells
may yet be yours"
The ma:den's face was bowed down, but not
before one single word had pledged her faith
to her lover.
s'Why, YOU all look in sober guisc," exclaim-
ed the gay voice of Sedley, about half an hour
after rs he entered the room. ssBut cheer up,
Cranstoun, there is blythe news from fair Eng
land. Ny old uncle, with the eccentric gen.
erosity that characterized him, has left you the
pretty estate of Mossvlle, with sixty thousand
pounds to support its dignity, in considera-
tion of the affection he bore you in your child
hood-so runs the will, a copy of which has
just reached me. give you joy, Cranstoun,
for have still more than / know we'll what to
do with. So my pretty little Leila will have
almost fairy house, for Mosssidc is little
paradise"
Home, home-the cold Abbye' is IN sight,
the gates are thrown open, and Roland Grams
ton is again in the midst of his kindred The
mother blesses her son. the brothers grasps his
hand, and they turn with deeper blessings up
| on the head of the beautiful being beside him,
! whom they greet as his bride. She had saw, d
/ their Roland from death, she had watched him
| in sickness in a foreign land, and their hearts
| yearned towards the stranger. Never wes
such joyous peal rupg out, or did the old
shook them that eve, for there were warm
! hearts to welcome back the wanderer; but,
there was deeper welI-spring of happiness in
! his soul a few months after when his young
wife had been converted to his creed, and
knelt humble worshipper at the same shrine
! b;r,salF