The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1858-10-13

ceremony. But the minister disappeared that
very night Hehas not been heard from since.
The other witnesses is my poor Sophia, whom
the lawyers have so bewildered with their
questions and cross-questions, that | fear her
testimony will go for nought. The presents |
have made her from time TO time have been
construed into bribes''
But why secret marriage, my Catharne?'
And must then confess the villainy of
man | once loved-of my husband. Mother,
William Bbgart was brave, mpetuous-some-
times magnanmous. He saved my life at the
risk of his own. Afterwards he sought my
society, AMI love and gratitude led me to look
upon him with favor. And because he had
hosts of eremies, became his friend. Well,
he loved me, or protested to love me, and |
believed him. It was only when he pressed
his suit, without speaking of marriage, that |
doubted his sincerity. | would have cast him
off, but then he vowed it was owing to family
difficulties that he could not openly make me
his wife, and proposed private marriage.
My uncle had lately died. I had then no
home. Instead of returning to you, as | had
once resolved to do, [ consented to Mr.. Bogart's
wishes. L. was a strange marriage! My hus-
band was SO anxious that the truth should not
become public that he had the minister, who
performed the ceremony, b]ndfolded! But the
minister tore the bandage from his eyes. the
moment it was over; and that act, fear,' said
Catharine, with a shudder, ,-'That act may
have had some connection with his sudden and
mysterious. .disappearance.'
"Ah! my child, your husband was then a.
desperado!:'
''He was Wild reckless man. alas! and he
had wild reckless men to do his bidding'
"And you feared no fraud?"
'None; for knew the mnistSr-I knew the
ceremony must be legal" 0, would he had
not torn thebandage from his eyes before"
''And Why sc?''
Then he would not have married me TO him
For he-the miniser-he loved me-he knew
not what h was doing, until it was too late
AS the bantlage fell from his eyes, he bacame
pale as death; and it was not Williams rage
that made him So
"Well at sunrise on the following morning,
had left B--wih my husband. A year we
spent in travel [ was sometimes miserable
for although he loved me, he was frequently
moody, tyrAnnica}, heartless.
''The day after our return to B, William
became IMPLICATED in quarrel The brother
vi HleiH iIG ldu Iou5 DciOIt hllltu III d uutl
insulted him. and-had his revenge. William
was shot through the heart, and he died with
out making a will.
But everybody believed me to have been
his wife. | was honored as his widow. My
child was regarded as his heir until William S
family came from St. Louis to rob us of-every
thing Oh, should they succeed, what ruin
and shame await me- exclaimed the afflicted
woman, sobbing again on her mothers neck.
"But you will not desert me-you will not dis
own your clild!"
''Be calm, be calm,' pleaded Mrs Leland
sLet the worst come. Poor as am, you shall
still have home with US. But what is here?"
"a messenger, cried Catharine, trembling.
"What news?"
II cannot tell you what. But something new
and strange has taken place, 'replied the breath
less messenger. "Your attorney directed me
to tell you-there is hope
Hope? is there hope?' cried Catharine.
eagerly. '|Hope at this late hour? Thank
heaven! Bnt-it cannot be-
! Ashadow darkened the momentary radiance
of her brow, and she cast down her eyes in
despair.
! ''Go back" she murmured. "If it be true
let me know what hope.''
After the messenger was gone, the young
wldow-for such we choose to believe her
was sitting by Il window with her mother, and
gazing down the street which led to the heart
of the town, It was a fine October afternoon
mild and clear, and cool. The two were CON
versing Of the changes which had come over
them since GJatharlne, in consequence Of the
codness Of her step father, left mother and
friends, to 60 west. under the protection of her
uncle; but the afflicted womans thoughts were
not SO much on the past, as on the anxiety of
the present.
Whilst watching for the return of the mes
scnger, CatIlarine thought she heard distant
shouts vibrating on the air They became loud
and clearer; and soon, straining her eyes in the
direction she; had long been gazing, she saw
confused movements through the trees which
shaded the Streets The shouts fedoubled, and
caps flew into the air.
''What can this mean?" murmured Catharine
Il am frightaned-awed.'
''There's !; great crowd coming this way, -
cried the attendant rushing into the room.
How strAnge!' said Mrs. Leland, ad djusting
her spectacles. "Why-I sea tremendous
crowt-and H. front they are carrying-it is a
man"'
"A man ln the shoulders oof the crowd, :"
murmured the excited Catharine. ''And now
they cheer again, and swing their caps"
But what looking object for mann'
sc on are Lot accustomed to western hunters
and trappers, smother. He wears a hat of braided
prairie grass, and his clothes appear to consist
of skirts. HIS complexion is sunburnt, and his
beard unshor2. lie seems trying to get down
but still the mob carries him on!-What us
they shout 6 Bogart!" Can this crowd have
anything to do with me!-heaven! they come
up the avenue! The strange man still on the
shoulders Of The mobr'
Trembling with excitement, Catharine ordered
the doors to lie fastened. The vast multitude
terrified her. The servants, in their confusion
secured every. door except that at which the i'm
mediate danger was. Percelving the error.
Catharine herpelf ran into the hall; but as she
was on the point of shooting the bolt, the door
was bursted open, and the man on the shou
defs of the people was projected into the house.
' Catharine shrieked, and in view of her ev-
dent alarm, the crowd shrunk back, VI hile he of
ba ,,pc borr he orI 1race r. ebipc ,oicoI b;e