The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1856-11-26

oe-stricken children from the beginning
Of the world! I'm not Il baby; and III go
on in my course. Natural or supernatural
man or demon-I care not what thou
art l defy and challenge you to meet me,
breast to breast"
The young man had scarcely uttered
the words, when low knock at the door
made him start, in spite of himself. Ar
thur Hetherington was a brave man, but
there are moments when the strongest
Inerves are not proof against the most
trivial influences. There are times when
the mind is SO wrought upon, that we
would not be greatly astounded by
walking statue, like that of the dead
commander in Don Giovanni advancing
with his horrible tramp! tramp! into the
brilliant banquet-room
This was Hetherngton's feeling, and
starting to his feet he braced his whole
form, and in Il desperate voice, bade the
kn Dcker enter
1t was simply a messenger from Mrs.
HairstOn, come to inform the bride groom
that the bride awaited him. He hastily
thrust the poniard Into his bosom, cover
ed the hit with his profuse ruf1lr, and bade
The Servant say that he would appear in q
moment.
He surveyed himself in the mirror for
the last time, and almost started at the
sight of his blanched cheeks and lips. A
sarcastic smile greeted the spectacle, and
he tossed his head away from the too
faithful glass. Then, pulling his lace cuffs
over his slender and nervous hands, he
left the apartment.
He was soon at the side of the lovely
girl whose bluShing face assumed a deep
er color as he appeared Miss Hairston
was clad with great splendor, after the
fashion of the period in white satin
gown, with blue furbclows of the same
material looped hack with bows of rib
bon. Her qneenly brow was crowned
with mass of curls, with pearls inter-
woyen-she wore many bracelets and
other jewe!s--and upon her snowy shoul-
ders and open stomacher reposed "a cloud
Of gauze-like lace of the richest dcscrip-
tion. The bridegroom forgot his dis
quiet for moment, in presence of this
vision of youth and beauty. His gaze,
however detected an end of lace hanging
from the young lady'S stomucher, and
with profound inclination, he reached
out his h;,ud anu replaced it beneath the
satin folding. As he drew back, the
bride uttered a slight exclamation. Hi,
finger had left a bloody impress upon the
young lady's bosom. ..
| A shudler ran through Hetherington's
frame, and he turned as pale as death
He had thus, IN tie third generations, .tul
filled to the letter the old crOne's legems.
at is nothing" he mnttered hoarsely
ga mere scratch upon my finger. beg
you not to he disqueted"
Aud Offering his arm to the bride, he
led her into the great apartment. In
few moments they stood before the officiat
ing clergyman, and the marriage ceremony
commenced.
Itwas destined never to be completed
A sudden tumult at the door attracted
the attention of all present; the servants
rushed forward in huddIed groups; ant
from the darkness of the hall, upon whicl
he shades of night had descended, strod'
the false peddier, the captain of the free
hooters, at the head of dozen men, arm
ed to the teeth
Their leader carried q drawn sword i,
his hand, and with sneering laugh
I reached, at single bound, the side o
Miss Hairston.
Il said | WIS your master, and thus
prove ii!; he shouted. "To the rescue!
Aud seizing the young lady IN hi
arms, the speaker made two hasty step
2 toward the door.
; They were the last lie ever took.
A hoarse and terrible exclamation, lik
; that of an aroused lion, was suddenl
! heard--a poniard cleaned in the all
E then descended-ahd the captain of tn
freebooters fell at full length upon tn
q floor, which was stained with his blood
pierced by the brdegroom's dagger. +:
At the same moment, a pistol-shot wa
: heard, and Helherington rushed forwar
with roar of wrath and anguish. Th
e form of Miss Halrston undulated for a
] instant, bent to and fro like lily who's
u stem is broken, and then the unhappy gil
stretched cut her arms, and, uttering
: iaint scream, fell at the feet of her love-
her bosom pierced by the ball, preciseI
: ut tile spot where has bloody finger ha
7 been laid
The captain of the frecbooters writhe
:, his body hat-ercct, and leaning upon OH
:, hand, pointed with his extended finger I
the dead body of the girl.
!, "a bonny wedding you have, 6roth'
A,thur!" he said, with laugh of terrib
triumph. which distorted his lips i'll a MAJ
), ner horrible and repulsive to behold.
Il offer you my compliments thereon, IN
:, brother! All, you did no. recogni7
, George Helherlugton in the peddler! Yo
did not know my old familiar writin
- left behind me. when | respectfully salute
this fine bride of yours !. You though
that lying rumor of my DEATH which
originated, and had sent to you, was tru,