The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1857-08-26
LAND COUNTY, OHIO, WEDNESDAY MORNING, AUGUST 26 1881

Would you rather believe that it was
done by your father? p asked the old
man.
My fatherl'
'Martin-my sonny boy! this Sc
cret must not go to the grave with me.
AArRr me out. Twenty, five years ago,
ls9saenmble farm servant On, gantleman's S
estate, won the heart of his daug hter-
1 was then handsome youth, had dis
tinguished myself in Spain-at Water
loo, ard there was sort of romance
thrown over me. But mark melville
1 loved dcarly-she, the lady of my
dreams deceived herself as to the strength
of her affection for me. We were mar
ried secretly. In due time 1 was to
claim her for my own in the eyes of the
orld The family went 10 France to
spend few months There your moth
er, repeDting of the step she had taken,
became n convert to the Catholic faith
and entered Notwithstanding her
family, her country, and her acknowl-
edged husband. To the superior of the
convent she told all You, an infant,
were sent by sure hand to the care Of
an old woman, and afterwards, through
the secret influence of your mother, Sir
Robert Ashland, who vas a family con
nection, was induced to receive you
Your mother lived but few years. I
have reason to believe that she repcnted
the step that she had taken, as her fare
well letter to me breathed regard and
affection. And now my tale is nearly
ended. When I am no more, you VIII
receive package Which contains my
marriage certificate and my last will
lave toiled for your sake and have
been successful. o, Martin-how 1
have watched over you'll With what
pride have I noticed your Development
your posi,ionl Aud now to be cut
# at the moment Of reapipg the reward
of years Of self denial-it is bitter-but
Gods will be doneP ...-
'Fatlie fathern cried Luke in agony,
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, I must
t Ike my brief aud sharp farewell of it.
A moments agony-and 1 shall sleep in
peace
You shall be saved y cried Luke
It cannot be that Herven will permit
this dreadful tragedy to be enacted
Farewell, father-if>I I save you not,
we will both be buried in the same
grave
From the prison Luke flew to the
presence of his patron He found him
pacing the library from end to end.
'Sir.Robert!' he cried, L am come
from the prison.
'Ah =
AYE, sir-and in the person of the
prisoner who is sentenced to die to-mor
row, have found father
SO, he confessed them
'What-you knew the fact and con-
cealcd it?'
Il was pledged not to reveal it.
But this is not all. Sir Robert, I
am satisfied that my father is innocent
Now, sir, implore you to save him.
4 cannot do So Luke, replied Sir
Robert. though 1 share your convictions.
I have essayed it. 1 went to the jailor
with untold gold in my hands. had
arranged for your fathers flight beyond
the seas. would have given the half
-ay, all my fortune, to secure his flight
and liberty. The attempt failed--the
bribe was spurned. Now, nothing can
save him.
yes, Sir Robert-there is one way to
save him. Produce the murdererl'
'Ha if that were possiblen y cried Sir
Robert, wildly. True true I never
honght of that. You speak like an or
ac!e. What hour is it p .- r9l
1T is one o'clock-my father dies at
one Tomorrow said the wretched young
man bursting into tears.
1T is twenty miles to London: one
can ride forty miles and have time to
spare within that time. Gray Selam is
feet as the wind. Look to my pistols.
Ones life is not always safe in this IA
vored land Murder stalks in the high
way as we both know, Luke
The young man was astonished at the
agitation evinced by his patron. The
latter handed him letter.
Tomorrow at twelve o'clock, noon,
give this to Miss Freeland. 1t is for.
NAL renunciation of her hand. She loves
another, have discovered; one worthi-
er of her-and she only accepted me be-
cause she believed my rival indifferent
to her. But why do speak Of love-
and death sentence hanging over your
fathers head. Dear Luke, FAREWELL
Believe me, will save your father, or
die in the attempt
Shall 1 let the man go?' thought
Luke. But while he deliberated, Sir
Robert snatching up his pistols, ran
down stairs, and the next moment be
was dashing away, through the dark
nioht OF tho fill SDaad of his hloodad