True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1856-05-14
Q. RAGAN, Editor and Proprietor.

"Will you marry me, sir?" she asked
with firm, steady voice, but with down
cast eyes.
The sound of her voice aroused him from
the statuelike posture he had fallen into on
first seeing her. He paused-he gazed up
on the lovely being who stood before him
profering this singular request, but his lips
refused t. utter one word.
"Must 60 farther, or will you marry
me! D God is there no hope!" and the
lady buried her face in her hands and sob
bed.
Charles felt he was himself at once. He
felt his spirit of gallantry and romance RI
sing strong within him.
A thousand ill-defined thoughts rushed
through his head, but he felt that he was a
man, and lovely young woman was before
him. Perhaps before he had time to form
another opinion, the lady half turned to
leaVe Lne vessel. .....
"Stop, my lady. Your request is very
singular-very. Let me ask you one ques-
tion. Are you in distress!"
"Distress /! o, God do not deem me
crazed. Indeed, sir, / am not. Think
nothing now, but answer, will you marry
mel"
"Whoever you are, or whateveryou may
be, know not. Can | not serve you in
any other manner! Perhaps you may re-
pent o. a resolution formed"
"Tolk not to me of repenting sir. and do
not waste any time. Now it is precious.
You can only serve me by marrying me.
Will you do 500" .s
"Bv heaven, I'wll?" exclaimed Charles
enthusiastically. "There is that about
you that tells me, ], at least, shall never
rue it. lam ready. Wait but moment
Charles went into the cabin and put on
his jacket. which he had taken off while
working, and in moment was by herside
"Come then, lady. Whoever you may be,
/ will abide the result"
He took her on shore, placed her in a
coach, which was standing near, and drove
off to friends house. He was shown in
to room The door was locked and the
young lady threw herself into a chair.
She did not weepor sob, nor did she ap-
pear to be in the least affected by the nov
city of her situation.
"Sir," said she, rising, "whoever you
are, ! can trust you. You are no common
sailor, nor am ! what seem. have now
no time to waste in words, will explain
all in few hours. Trustme, believe me,
serve me, and you shall never repent it,
What is to be done, must be done at once
] have but few hours to spare, and if !
am discovered before they expire l shall
ba wretched indeed. Here, sir, is money.
Go and purchase all you wish. Be quick,
and do not delay now," and she profercd
him roll of bills. l. ..
"Thank you, lady, | do not need it.
am not indeed what | seem. Rest here un-
til return. You are safe in this house.
! will return in fe " moments. Do not be
alarmed"
Charles went out and left her alone. He
went to fashionable le tailor in Broadway,
and in ten minutes he was changed from a
rough, dirty looking sailor. to fine, man.
ly, handsome fellow, and his dress set off to
advantage his fine figure. He returned in
stantly to the lady, and when he entered
the room where he had left her, he found
her walking backwards and forwards, but
not in the least agitated. She had evil
den,y steeled herself to the worst, and was
prepared for anything. ,st9I4 YEf.
"My name, sir, is Ellen Moran. Let
thatsufice forthe present. Are you ready'"
said she firmly, and without betraying any
emotion.
81 am, lady"
They went again into the carriage, and
drove to the Mayors, and in few moments
were man and wife. When they left the
mayors house. Mrs. Barton gave orders to
the coachman herself, but in voice whose
tones we're not heard by her husband.
8 Will you return with me Z" inquired
Mr.. Barton, as his wife entered the. coach.
"No, sir. We are going to your house,
where your presence will be required"
Mr., Barton looked very stealily at his
wife as she uttered these words, and for the
first time began to think that he had enter
ed upon very silly scrape. The idea even
entered his head that she might be little
out of trim aloit, and did not make him feel
very comfortable. 'st 'iF Il
The door was closed and the coach was
Of. Not word was spoken cn either side
during the whole drive, which was yery
lcng--at least It seemed so to him. Charles
was +intently thinking upon bis conduct,
and was half inclinedto regret his RASH