The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1858-04-16
THE BETRAYED;
or, THIS PURITAN's REVENGE.


towards the village OF Charing. His dress
denoted that he was of the sect of the Puri-
tans. 1t was Edward Marston, widower
with one child, whose household was under
the direction of his sister Gtace.
He had proceeded for some time in his
solitary walk, when n hand was laid upon his
shoulders He started and turned-it was
his uncle Martin.
"Unrle ~ he exclaimed, "what brings you
here at such an hour!"
"1o tell thee that the Commons of Eng
land and Monk have betrayed their trust, and
recalled Charles Stuart to the throne of his
fathers"
Il have heard as much. England is now
no place for us. You and my late father sat
us Judges on the tyrant's trial"
"Edward," said the relative, "thou art but
lukewarm. But the Lord hath reproved
thee. Hath He not smitten thee in thine af-
fectons 3"
ale hath!" groaned his nephew, with n
glance at his mourning garments. "She low
ed is in her gravep
"And thy sister," added the old man, Bit
terly, "the child OF her who bore thee is dis
honored !"
hal mean you
"That William Clayton even now is in her
chamber, despite my warning. Thou veudsl
shelter him, and the proud fool, his brother.
Like serpent he has stung you"
II must have proof of this"
"Ihou shalt watch with me-" said the old
man, sadly, "and be convinced Of the dishon-
or of thy blood"
Drawing their swords, they concealed
themselves behind a portion of the garden
wall, from whence they could see the window
of Grace's apartment.
Grace Murston was rs lovely a creature to
look upon as earth could boast. She had
on the hear, of the young Royalsl, who
was her brothers friend and guest, and, yield
ing to his solicitations, had weakly consented
TO secret marriage. There might have been
may, there was--imprudence in the act, but
no dishonor. Unfortunately, his nightly visits
to her chamber were discovered by her uncle
Martin, Jealous Puritan, and the storm was
ready to break.
"Ee comes" whispered the old man 10 his
companion. "Now are you convinced?
"But too fatally"
As thee adventurous husband descended
from the window of the transcription he and
his brother were lodged in Il pavilion in the
garden-both uncle and nephew attacked
him. They would listen in their blind fury
to no explanation, and the young man must
have fallen beneath their united efforts, had
not the clashing of swords brought his broth
er Richard to his assistance. In u few min.
utes the tables were fatally turned-Edward
Mars,on was dying.
No sooner did the young man perceive the
condition of his friend than he knelt beside
him, and attempted to raise him from the
ground.
"False friend!" groaned the dying man.
"Not so, Edward am true to thee
Grace" he whispered, ais my wife" -s-
A glance of satisfaction overspread the
countenance of the Puritan, as he fell upon
the sword corpse.
But 70 explanation could appease the wrath
of Martin. Over the body of his nephew he
vowed deep revenge! Time will show how
be fulfilled it. AS guardian Of his niece, he
instantly prevented all possibility of her com
municaling with her husband, whom he
branded as her brothers murderer, and ai
fected to disbelieye her marriage.
Poor Grace was truly wretche6!
Richard and William returned to London,
where they assisted in the restoration of the
King, after several vain attempts to see Grace
Marston. In the gay court Of the centious
monarch, The brothers moved with ecldt-al
ternatelv the companions of Charles pleas
ure and councils, homo: and appointments
were lavished upon them With an inconsider-
ate hand; both rose to high military command.
AT length, when time had sufficiently efiaced
the memory of Grace. William again began
to indulge in thoughts of love. Ellen Digby,
the only daughter of staunch royalst, was
the object of his choice. The court and its
cav alIurements were abandoned Tor marriage
and retirement Nine months after .he death
of Edward William and his young bride ar
rived at his broher's seat, Tyler Hill, near
Canterbury. Grace, who, since the death OF
her brother, mad given up her mind entirely
to the guidance of Martin and the preacher
Newlight, heard OF their arrival, il not with
out emotion at least without tear.
AWAIT" exclaimed her uncle, 81 have en-
qenderng here what shall work retrlbutlon;
they have trampled upon us, and We will tufn
and rpnd them!'
Within the year the bride presented her
husband with son--fortune seemed to smile
on its birth; the young stranger was not only
heir to his fathers aud grandfathers est?te,
but to the lair carldom which Charles had
ius, conferred upon Sir Richard Clayton, who
heard of the birth of his nephew with un-
mixed satisfaction. Meanwhi e, Martin and
Grace had disposed of all their property IN
Kent, and light vessel was secretly engaged
to carry them TO their destination. One night
they suddenly disappeared, and were never
again seen in that part OF the country. Great
was the Consideration on the following morn.
inp, when it was discovered that the Young
heir Of the Claytons had been carried off, no
one could tell how. In vain did the distract
ed parents offer reward; messengers were
dispatched into different parts of England,
bnt in vain: every clue seemed lost, and the
search was at last abandoned as hopeless
William, with his broken.hearled wife, re-
turned to London, to forget, 1t possible, in
the dissipation of the capital the grief which
preyed upon his heart Nearly twenty years
rolled on without the least intelligence of the
lost heir. when the Earl and his brother were
appointed to attend the Duke of Mon
mouth against the Coyenanters in Scotland,
whose success had at first embarrassed the
Government. Before the royal army they
were everywhere defeated; from Edinburgh
they were pursued to Dumbarton, and driven
from that strong hold to detilcs difficult Of
access on the opposite banks of the Clyde.
al have n strong presentimeni, William"
exclaimed his brother ns they mounted their
horses to lead the party sent TO dislodge the
enemy from their last defense; sin all our en-.
counters have been singled out by an old
man and his sons-at least, from their beng