The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1858-05-18

-. yr,,h that suppressed breathing which In
S.ss,e. .trons excitement every one quickly ais
Iannted, and hasteacd to the spot. Raising me
hodv we perceived that the wounded man SUI.
bres,hed, and, constructing hssty litter, he was
harne back to the Hall. His wound was deep
one on the head, and q surgeon, who was hastiiy
sent fnr, declared that he could never recover.
To describe my feelings at this announcement
vonld be impossible. When saw Marquis lying
thus, with vacant look In his large, clear eyes,
his pillow eIotted with blood. the most heart
ing grief struggled 10 my breast with wild desire
for vengeance. This latter sentiment reached It's
climax Ut the surgeons intelligence, and hastily
communicating 60 the rest my belief that Thorn
burg aud wordel had been engaged In the assss.
sination, mounted, and, followed by Ashton aud
Francis, galloped toward Thoruburg's house. 10
an hour we drew up at the gate, aud without GER
emony rushed In. IL was too late The troubling
servants assured US that their master and Major
woraeli had set out at full gallop several hours
before, In which direction they knew not.
Pursuit was plainly impossible. Overwhelmed
with rage and despair, returned with my com.
panions To the Hall.
L shalt not dwell at length upon the month
which then passed. The powerful constitution oil
Marquis triumphed over the well.nigh mortal
blow. and he slowly revived The moment fnal-
ly arrived when he was strong enough to inform
Us of all that had passed.
Thornburg and wordell had met him on the
highway, and the latter had exhibited no disposf
ton to approach him. Thornburg, however, car
rfeua away by DIS rage, nad sudoehiy sIuch az m,1'
as he passed. aud Wordell bad then assisted The
blow which rendered him insensibe had been
struck with the butt-end of Thornburgs heavy
riding whip--after which he remembered no mere
This Marquis's tale, aud IL was aoundantiy
verified by the continued absence OF Thornburg
and wordell They did not reappear during my
stay and disdainiug to take any public steps TO
arrest them, Marquis dismissed sthe wnoie suoJect
from his mind and rapidly regained his health
aud strength.
Maror,sis Ill N ass n al caused An vent however
which it is probable Mr.. Thornburg did not anti
cipate or take into his calculation of chances
This event was simply a complete change IN the
sentiments of Miss Francis toward my friend i
never could explain or understand the exact pro
cess by which this change was brought about, bu'
10 probably grew out of the young ladys 5oftness
and goodness Of healthier "pitying womanhood,'
which filled her with tender sympathy and com
pass on for the poor, pale sufferer thus thrown up
on her hospitality, aud depending upon her alone
for all those little feminine aleviations OF paiI
and suffering grateful to the strongest. Miss
Francis was unremitting in her gentle offices o
blindness and when Marquis rose from his sick
bed, pailid and thin, but retaining all his noble
beauty of person, it was soon observed that they
were always together, and was not surprised
~heu Que morning Marquis announced to me, with
| glowing cheek, that he was the accepted lover
| of the Young lady.
have thus brought to a sort of conclusion the
events of the period which / set ont with the in
tention TO describe well as lcould. have done
this very Iamely, bet did not calculate upon the
| repugnance aud pain should experience in ever
CHANGING back at that time of insane revelry and
wild intemPerance. By powerful effort wa;
snatched from the yawning gull which waited i0I
me. thank kind Heaven for giving me pure
| love- aud an almost perfect woman, which alone
| could have saved me. / shall briefly flush my SAT
record, passing to after years. but first shall men
ton talk had with Marquis just before my de
parture.