Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1858-12-16
MAT WARD;
OR,
THE TORY'S DOOM.
A Tale of the Days that Tried Mems Souls.
ShAf f.h All.
A MYSTERIOUS TRANSACTION.


The night upon which Mabel Archer Dispatch
cd her letter by Cato to Mark Lincoln proved
a restless one In vain she tried to close her
eyes in slumber. Ever before her eyes was that
dreadful scene-her father hanging to the yard
arm Of ship in the agonies of death. Cato
had not yet returned, although the night was
far spent, and she began to fear that some of
Palmer's spies had overtaken him and obtained
the letter. And still she tried to think this
could not be, for she had especially charged him
to destroy it if there were any indications of
danger. At last her car detected the heavy
tramp of some one coming towards the cot, and
drawing aside the curtain, she looked out. 1t
proved to be Cato. Hastily throwing on her
morning-dress she opened the door, and the ne
gro entered.
"Well, Cato, did you succeed in getting to
the camp?" asked Mabel anxiously.
s Yes, Misss, but dis yer niger had berry
hard time ont
You were not discovered?"
" 'zactly 50; and by de debbils own brudder,
too, reckon, Missls.'
g Who do you mean, Cato?"
"De Tory Cap'n-Skinner.
"Then you destroyed the letter.? " said Ma
bel sadly.
''Nofn' OBJ de kind l jist put it in de toe
OBJ my boot and de rascals no find it,
And you delivered it safe -
Yis; let 'em search dis child, den they
let me go, for l told 'em dat young Missis was
sick and Use 'bliged to go to de town for it..
3" But. Cato. that was not true. Did you
not do wrong to lie? "
" Pears like twas right to lie 'mong dem
Tores-berry different wild odder people,
The sin is the same, Cato, with them as if
they were the highest in the land. Remember
and avoid the like again, Cato Did you get a
reply?"
"Jimni Misss, I'd almost forgot dat ar, y
and Cato producing letter from his hat, hand
ed it to Mabel.
"You can retire now, if you wish, Cato
See that the doors are fast before you GO
Mabel hurried to her room, and breaking the
seal, ran her eye rapidly over the contents Of
the missve.
"'Tis as expected" she murmured, as the
last word was read. "Noble and generous
ready to sacrifice all for my happiness" and
taking up the letter, she began to read aloud
g 1t is false pride, dear Mabel, that prompts
you to this course Your love, am confident
would prompt you to throw aside this, what
you term, insuperable barrier to our union.
1t is not thus-I will not for a moment lister
to it. My own parent has often spoken o.
your father DEATH and pronounced him inno
cent, and even were it otherwise, it would not
change my feelings or purposes toward your.
SELF
"Oh, why could it not have been different
Can it be that it would be wrong for me to wed
him? He says he should be unworthy of my
love did my fathers unfortunate end have the
least weight in his decision
She sought her couch once more, and th
time she slept and dreamed. 1t must have beer
pleasing dream, for smile dwelt upon he
illusion when the dawn should appear Sh
slumbered long, and it was not until she hear,
the voice of Cato in the yard that she awokc
She arose hastily and soon descended to tn
i'om where her mother slept. She met her witt
:; sAlll, and it seemed to reflect itself upon tn
invalid's face.
I" You have conquered, Mabel your look
tell me that you no longer feel weak to do wha
is right
You are right, mother; | shall do IN
duty"
g Heaven bless you, my child. Did Cat
bring an answer to your letter?'
" He did; you can read it while prepar
the breakfast" !"
Mabel handed the missve to h, r mother. an
then left the room to prepare the morning mea
This accomplished, she returned to her mother
room. There were traces of tears upon Mr.
Archer's cheek, but she tried to conceal then
" Isl not that noble in him? ?" asked Mabel.
" Noble +" repeated Mrs Archer in IA trent
lous tone, " it is indeed noble but you reali,
ment."
''Yes, but his feelings will never change"
s. You are not sure of that, my child"
g | knoc it, said Mabel firmly but if the
do not, my determination is unaltered."
The meal was eaten in silence. and the eliot
being removed, she took her accustomed seat ;
the window. She had been seated but a te
moments when she thought sho detected son
one in the woods opposite. Yet she might
mistaken, and in order to satisfy herself 81
kept her eyes for fow moments fixed intent
upon the spot, but no one appeared She 1
sumed sewing, but casual glance again
creased her suspicious, and this time she wit
drew farther into the room, yet where she cou
watch the object if it again made its appea
ance. For this she had not long to wait II
form of q man became distinctly visible. dol
ing from tree to tree, evidently desiring to 0
tain aivlew of the cot, yet keep his person co