Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1857-09-04

over me. But mark melville loved |
deeply-she, the lady of my dreams, de-
ceived herself as to the strength of her af-
fection for me. We were married secret
ly. In due time was to claim her for |
my own in the eyes of the world. The
family went to France to spend a few
months. There, your mother, repenting
of the step she had taken, became con-
vert to the Catholic faith and entered a
convent-abandone her family her coun-
try, and her acknowledged husband. To
the superior of the consent she told all.
You, an infant, were sent by a sure
hand to the care of an old woman, and
afterwards through the secret influence of
your mother, Sir Robert Ashland, who
was family connection. was induced to
receive you. Your mother lived but
few years. Ihave reason to believe that
she repented the step she had taken, as
her farewell letter to me breathed regret
and affection. And now my tale is near
ly ended. When I am no more you
will receive a package which contains my
marriage certificate and my last will. l
have toiled for your sake and have been
successful. o, Martin-how have
watched over you With what pride
have l noticed your development-your
position And now to be cut off at the
moment of reaping the reward of years
of fself-denial-it is bitter-but Gods will
be done !"
" Father! fatherl' cried Luke in ago
ny, "you are innocent You must not
die upon the scafold."
"To-morrow morning." said the old
man, when the sun is shining on all
that is beautiful on this fair earth, must
take my brief and sharp farewell Of it.
A moments agony-and l shall sleep in
peace"
You shall be saved" :" cried Luke. at
cannot be that Heaven will permit this
dreadful tragedy to be enacted. Fare
well, father-if 1 save you not, we will
both be buried in the same grave"
From the prison Luke few to the
presence of his patron. He found hin
pacing the library from end to enu.
Sir Robert p' he cried, 81 am come
f from the prison"
"Ah p'
Aye, sir-and in the person of the
prisoner who is sentenced to die to-mor
r row, I have found father"
So, he confessed, then
What-you knew the fact and con
: cealed it ?"
S 1 was pledged not to reveal it,"
: q But this is not all. Sir Robert, I an
t satisfied that my father is innocent. Now
: sir, implore you TO save him"
= (" I cannot do so, Luke" replied ST
n Robert, "though I share your convictions
: [ have essayed it. / went to the jailo
a with untold gold in my hands. l had al
It ranged for your fathers flight beyond th
d seas. would have given the half-a.
g all my fortune, to secure his flight an
Il liberty. The attempt failed-the brit
e was spurned. Now, nothing can say
e him"
/ Yes, Sir Robert-there is one wa
ID to save him. Produce the murderer"
:" "Ha if that were possible !" erie
n. Sir Robert, wildly. "True true!
lie never thought of that You speak lii
an oracle. What hour is it p
le at is one o'clock-my father dies
se one Tomorrow said the wretched your
y. man bursting into tears.
u cit is twenty miles to London: OIL
al can ride forty miles and have time
Il, spare within that time. Gray Selim
r feet as the wind. Look to my pistol
Ones life is not always safe in this favo
We ed land. Murder stalks in the highwi
ot as we both know, Luke"
ng The young man was astonished at tt
We agitation evinced by his patron. The Ii
=" ter handed him a letter.
he "To-morrow at twelve o'clock, noe
l give this TO Miss Freeland. 1t is fc
NAL remuneration of her hand. She lov
ne another, I have discovered; F.; one VIZ
thier of her-and she only accepted I
re because she believed my rival indifere
to her. But why do I speak of love
MS and a death sentence hanging over yO
fathers head. Dear Luke, farewell.
,m Believe me, will save your father,
We die in the attempt"
Shall l let the man goP" thous
it Luke. But while he deliberated,
he Robert snatching up his pistols, ran do
stairs. and the next moment he was da
ing away through the dark night, at
Sc full speed of his blooded horse,
HI .,:,.+ tha sarapa bIua slv N