The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1857-10-09

picslSt hcdNiup Will chotioh. H..
"Art come; Walter!' said Madeleine
, half disbelieving hervery senses. "Wha
: brings thee here tonight y
r "What but love of thee, dcarcstl Fier
Will has joined the bandits-Iknew hin
in spite Of his mask; last night my hom
! was burned, and my life attempted.
know who led the band, and that to-nigh
they will be here. / have come to Civ
You warning, and what protection
can
but my father, Walters"
ale will not rcpulsc Inc, dear child
for | will tell him frankly what has bro
me hither." ris ~
"Ah, Walter" said Madeleine, leaning
her head on his breast "my heart toll
INC of this danger, and also Of thy com
ing. knew thou wouldst como ~ go
Fondly Walter drew her moro closel.
to his heart, aud in that moment felt him
self fired to thrice his former manhood
For what more cxalts n man than |
woman's love!
"But come Madeleine" said he, after ;
moment ofquict breathing, "wc mnst g
to Your father, for no time shorld be lost
The goats are not wont to be dilatory."
They found the Baron walking to and
fro in his chamber, apparently absorbed
in deep thought. lie turned on hear
ing the door opened, and seeing Made
lcinc with man by her side, uttered al
expression Of surprise. Walter stepped
forward.
"Baron Shcurcndorf," said he, "thougl
the son Of your enemy, | am your friend
one who would also be a son to you, j
You would permit. Nay, hear me thro,,'
he exclaimed, rs the Baron made im inn
patient gesture, "this very night may
have to prove myself one"
"Do YOU fear the bandits" cried. the
old man, quickly guessing what he II lcant
for he was thinking of them himself
II do" replied Walter, and then relat,
cd the affair OF the previous night Bar.
oil Sheurcndorf heard him through, all
the while keeping his eyes fixed on the
young mans face, as if to read his very
soul. Walter endured the gaze without
shrinking, for he was true.
"lIercs my hand said Sheurcndoriy nj
length; 81 see you already have my
daughters Madeleine looked into her
fathers face with tears of exquisite JOY,
while the two men shock hands, and
enemies became father and son.
"I.et us lose no time barring the doc r."
said Walter, after moments pause; lat
best the old castle is none too strong. |
think" Here hc was interrup Vcti
by the entrance of an old servant, who
looking suspiciously at the new conner,
signiticd his wish to speak privately " itll
the Baron. Sheurendorf babe him spc ak
out, for the stranger was trustwort by
friend.
"Wcll," said Martin, "as | was makir.e
INV last round to see that all was right,
saw two men in the dusk near the gate,
standing quite still. Knowing that tn, ~
had no business there, l crcpt up soft ly
ON NV hands and knees, until near enouglr
to hear what WAS going on. One ofthem
was John Bancal the fiddler, who como s
to all village dances. | heard him say
it was just the night for an attack, and
that the other whom he called Will,
must be on hand with ten or twelve men
at midnight, and he would meet him in
the copsc by the hill with as many more.
Wen try the strength Of that old door.
said he, and then muttcred- something
about an old miser and heaps Of treasure.
And the other sworc great oath that he
cared for no treasure here but our sweet
young mistress yonder. am glad she
has stalwart friend here, tonight, tho
God knows that | would fight for her tH
the death. Ay, shrink up to his side,
dear lady andlet him put hisstrong arm
around your waist. But must not stand
here prating at this foolish rate. Young
Master il YOU mean to help us, the outer
door needs barring, and ono cannot do !,
alone E.-
"Stay hero with yourtathcr, Madeleine
said Walter, kissinghcr tenderly; 81 Twill
soon return" He then followed Martin
to attend to the barricading Of the doors
As was common in ancient castles, the
approach to the outer door from within
was through a narrow passage which was
easily defended, before guns came into
use, by three or four men against hun
drcd. The door was of oak, barred with
iron: but it was splintercd and cracked
and the hinges were loosencd by th'
crumbling OF the stonc-work. Itwas sci
dom closed, indeed, except in winter, t'
keep out the drifting snow, an inner ont
being commonly used. Walter ant
Martin now shnt the great door, and Al
immense ado it made about il, crcakiD.
and grinding on its rusty hinges. 4
heavy wooden bar was then placed across
in sockets made for the purpose in tn
J stone, and two or three empty hogshcad
were rolled up from tho cellar and place'
! behind it, and being weighted with stones
formed u very respectable barricadc. Th
! inner door was left open for the present
! in order TO give room for firing throug
/ the outer one, but means were at han
: for Instantly barring it. The stout oai
, en- window shutters were closed and faster
| cd, and when this was done, the cast!
was ready for defense rs far rs it coul
4 be made so. .t,. 4.
The next thing was to arrange som
means for escaping, should the barricad
Q bc forced, and here both Walter an
, Martin were in great perplexity. 4
, length, Martin bcthought him OF an nj
$ cient subtcrranean passage, leading fro'
5 the cellar where they might possibly Tin
5 a hiding place, though it had not bee
= opened for twenty years, and It was .
I doubt chokcd with stones and rubbls
. Walter would explore; and taking a La !,
l tern, went down into the old musty celia
r followed by Martin. From the ma