The Highland weekly news. [volume] (Hillsborough [Hillsboro], Highland County, Ohio) 1853-1886, 1858-04-15

gun, turned 20 withdraw, But the gun,
I know not how, caught in my dress by
the lock. In an instant a vio.nt ex-
plosion stunned and shook my frame
hot blast was blown in my faee-a
sharp, ringing pain shot through my
shoulder horrible dizziness and
faintness came over me--earth and sky
mingled togother-then darkness and
oblivion followed
] could not have remained insensible
long. / awoke with a sharp, intense
pain in my right shoulder, and q numb
ness extending all down my arm. The
first dawn Of consciousness was accom-
panied by a vague perception Of some
one lowering over me--of a bright face
between mine and the sky-of an arm
extended under and supportingmy head.
"Thonk Heavenl" said a voice Of
suppressed joy
"Thank Heaven" muttered I, ineo-
herently drawing my hand over my
brow, "for what?'
The arm appeared to be carefully
Withdrawn, and my head was allowed
to sink gently back upon the sod.
care you better, sir2'' said sweet
voice; 81 hope your wound is not dan
gerous; but you are faint-H they would
but comep
lay still, and drank in with delic-
ioUs pleasure these words--for they fell
from the lips of Mary Cole. Faint,
dizzy, and bewidered with pain as l
was, never before did I experience such
thrill Of joy as this knowledge afforded
me--the knowledge that I lay there
wounded, and Mary Cole tending and
supporting me--stanching my flowing
blood--uttering words Of sympathy and
sorrow. ] almost forgot my pain in the
wild happiness Of the thought-forgot
the outbreak of jealous rage which had
so nearly proved my death; and, seized
by sudden impulse, attempted to strug-
gle to my feet, with some wild, vague
intention of falling upon my knees be-
fore her But she caught my arm, aud
pressed me back
"You must not rise, sir--indeed, YOU
must not You have started the blood
afresh already. Lie perfectly quiet, ]
beseech you-help will arrive present.
Ily."
But I caught her hand, her white
tender hand, stained, as it thrilled me tc
see, with my blood, and drew her round
before me. was startled by the death.
ly pallor of her face, and the wild fright
in her eyes; but, even as ! looked, a
warm blush came mantling over brow
and cheek.
"What has happened?" said T.
"You are wounded, sir, by an acci-
dent. My brother has run for the doc
! tor -"
"Your brother-speak, Mary-your
brother?" She started, and shrank back
a little.
"Forgive me, said I, thrilled with a
new pleasure at the discovery that it was
a brother to whom she had addressed
those words of affection. "Forgive me,
l called you Mary, because -" A
sudden faintness seized me, and l could
not continue.
"Oh, heavenl exclaimed she, lifting
up my head in her arms. and looking
around wildly, twill they never Gomez
"It is nothing" 1 succeeded in utter
ing. 81 am better now. Let me rise.
1 think 1 might walk with q little aid "
II wish you could, sir, said she; for
my fathers cottage is only half mile
from this"
"Let me try" said I, and, aided by
Mary, 1 made the attempt. Leaning
upon her shoulder, Gnezpressible felic-
ityD / succeeded in gaining my feet.
"Could you walk, sir?" inquired She
Il think I could support you a little"
We walked on few steps, but was
very weak, and she trembled little.
soon found the exertion too much for
me; but Mary led me a few steps farther
to a tree, and aided me to a seat, where
1 could lean against the trunk.
'Sit near, said I.
She looked at me with surprise,
continued, 81 know you, do I not2"-
And then I noticed that she wore in hel
bosom a little bunch Of my flowers She
instinotively moved her hand toward.
/ them
"Why," said I, still faint, and speak
ing brokenly, ''are we such slaves to the
formalities of the world? / am sure
that you might sit there on the turf neal
me, for know you very well-and see
the bandage on my wound has slipped
/ Won't you replace it?'
"No, sir, She replied.
"No?" / repeated, and / stared Will
surprise
because I do not think it has slip
ped in the least, said she.
LET me convince you" And / tore
it off. ct was her own handkerchief,
The blood gushed out freely.
"What have you done?" exclaimed
she, quickly and imperatively, as seiz
ling the handkerchief, and falling upoI
her knees at my side, she began to read
lust it.
"You are near where I like to hav
you. Do not turn away. My name j
u Stafford-yours-oh, / know it vel
enough-is Mary Cole. Fam a gentle
man, but a stranger herein fact, pris
oner.here."
GA prisoner" she asked.
"Love isthe Jail and Beauty the jail
or, " Ereplied.
"Your arm is right now, she said
abruptly rising, and Withdrawing balf
dozen feet
"But am very faint, I said
"There is a spring close BY. / vii