The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1858-09-10

h"y hoI ~ Will 'uec. Chuuot ioisahe
my father, who loves me- Remorse would
follow re TO the grave"
Say rather, proud maiden false girl =
retorted her lover, haughtiy, "that some
more favored suitora awaits thy hand--"
"One does await my hand"-Aldebrand
started-"but have never even seen him.
My father mas betrothed me to him, and he
comes tomorrow to the Castle. Though l
may not we'd thee, Aldebrand, my faith
shall not be plighcd 10 him."
ellis name, maiden his name tell Inc
thatm
"Count Oscar, son Of the Baron Drum
holdt," WAS her faint reply.
a strange peculiar expression crossed the
features of Adebrana, and there was flasl,
in his eye that Margar;te did not under
stand. Placing his hand beneath his vest,
he drew forth slkcn scarf
"a week ago TO night, this, thy gift,
meant as a talisman Of hope, came flutter-
ing from thy easement upon my head
Take it back! Farewell!"
lie was gone! gone forever! No more
would Margaritc listen 10 the soft, rich voice
that always charmed her ear, no more would
she meet the sight of those deep blue eyes
that sent magnetic rays of love into her soul
no more! no more!
1t was high noon on the following day,
when SOLITARY horseman" "slowly ascendcd
the castle rock Dsmouatiug ut the rr:nci.
pal entrance, lie was received otsrqniouslv
by the l5aron's rctainers. and while his
steed was~lcd to the stables, the stranger
was escorted to the grand hall, where the
Baron himself awaited his entrance.
Count Oscar!.'' announced the gray
haired butler, AS he ushered in The stranger.
"WcIcorne, my son" said the Baron
embracing him. "Aline ancient friend
might well be proud to own thee, Oscar"
"Thanks for the compliment, most ven-
Grated sire!' replied the young Count,
gracefully AS he took The seat offered him,
"but where is my bride elect the fair Mar
garitc."
"Sle will be here presently. Meantime,
partake Of some refreshments, my son. \
glass Of this old Rilcin wine will revive
thee"
The young Count pledged the Baron
in Il brimmirg glass, but declined the offer
ed rcfreshncnt. A noble looking fellow
WAS the bridegroom elcct-and no one but
would say that the fair Margaritc might
yield him her hand. lie stood near the
window, with his eyes fixed on the door hy
which he supposed she would enter, and bis
face beanel into the purest pleasure and
hope. At last, tho door slowly opened. aud
Margarite, pale as death, and with eyes
cast on the floor, tremblingIy advanced
Her father hastencd to her side, and taking
her hand, led her passively to the side Of
the Count, who also trelnbled, but with a
different emotion.
Count Oscar, greet lily bride. Marga.
rite, give him thy hand"
Without raising her eyes; the young girl
murmured 'Father, I-cannot-"
"Margarite !" softly said the musica! tones
of the young Count.
That voice! Now sho looked up and
tottered back into the Baron's arms, gasping,
20 Aldcbrand !"
What cxclaims the fair reader, Count
Oscar, the Wild Horseman Fact! sweet
lady-he was-or rather had been. will
explain, as he did, when Margarite had re-
covered her serenity, aud they sat together
upon tue divan, their hands clasped, and
eyes brimmiug with happy love.
Knowing from childhood that he was
betrothed by his father 10 Margarite, Count
Oscar, being Of romautic turn of mind,
determined TO see and become acquainted
with the maiden in disguise. For Time lie
could think of no cxpedient to gain access
10 her, until hearing continually of the su-
perstition concerning the Wild Horscman,
who was believed to haunt the Harlem
forest, he concluded TO act the midnight
rider in propria persona. And SO he did
terrifying the whole counlry-uptl one
night, he Glanced 10 meet the maiden at
the foot Of the Castle rock, and succeeded
in assuring her that he was mere mortal
like herself-gave his name US Aldebrand,
and, in short, wooed her at the first inter
view SO successfully-for he was of very
ardent nature, ana no procrasiinatiou about
bim-thnt he gained her consent to allow
him occasional interviews from ber windaw.
The ut, the reader knows. And to o, finish.
The story, Of course, they were martisd. :
IosoRAscE.-Tbere was a time when
igboranee could scarcely be-. called vice,
Ipstbe dark ages, ignorance was ~, maliers
ofnecessity with the CREST haIk Of iYiankina !;
and we ought rathef fo; s5Ytv the fnisf Epns