Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1858-08-19
:" What is the matter, darling, tell me. "

looking into his face, " l thought you was
dead he said so, and o have promised to
wed him."
TO wed who, Nora? You are mine no
one can take you from me"
go! yes; Jason will take me away l have
promised to wed him three months from to-
day."
{" Nora, you shall never do it,
4" must, Percy. did it to save aunt Lena's
life. The Indians carried us off, and Jason
saved me, and he would not go for her till l
promised do not blame me could not lot
her be murdered" F"
Nora, there are no Indians around here;
you know not what you say you have not
promised any such thing you are still my own
Nora. Say, do you not love me, dearest?
Glove you,' she said passionately, "oh
better than life, j" and twining her arms around
his neck she imprinted loving kiss upon his
lips and whispered, "I love thee, 0, I love
thee"
Fervently he returned her kiss and said, you
will be mine then."
Again the tears trembled in those beaming
eyes, " Oh have promised, Percy, and though
| love you, if he saves aunt Lena must keep
that promise if not, am yours"
At this moment the sound of approaching
feet was heard, and turning her head, Nora
saw Jason coming with aunt Lena. Quickly
withdrawing herself from Percy's arms, she
arose and said:
i" Oh, Percy, fly; he has saved her, and you
mast co.
"Nora, did you not say you loved me? and
with that truth resting on my heart will never
leave you; no power on earth shall take you
from me )" and throwing one arm around her
waist he turned for his horse. This was feediug
a few steps distant, and before he could reach
it, Jason's horse was rened up beside them.
VILLAIN" he cried, springing to the ground,
let go that girl, or your life shall pay the
forfeit"
Leave me, Percy: leave me-" said Nora.
Neuer," he replied, stopping, but still
keeping his arm around her. "Tell me Nora,
had you rather go with him than me
"But for the promise, would joyfully go
with you; but now do not agonize mo with the
thought"
"That was wrung from your lips under such
circumstances that it does not bind you," he
whispered. "You shall be mine"
" Percy, it might have been, but for that pro-
mise. Now go, Percy--go."
Still he hesitated. Seeing this, Jason raised
a small hatchet that was swinging by his side,
and yelling, begone, I say" he made des-
perate plunge at Percy. At this instant Pat
seeing the danger his Master was in, caught
his gun and with well directed blow laid ia
son sprawling on the ground, exclaiming, "faith
an I've fixed Msther Impudence. Now, pick
up the leddies, Masther, an let's be gon.''
"Percy, 1 willnever forgive you, unless you
CO."
Cruel girl, farewell, then, FAREWELL" and
straining her to his heart an instant, he then
pushed her from him and sprang for his horse
but suddenly pausing over the prostrate Jason
he seized the hatchet exclaiming: Wretch
but for you we might have been happy; will
not let you live to blight her life." He raised
his arm to strike the deadly blow, and instantly
it was caught by Nora, who said;
eff you love me, kill me not by committing
MURDER
Quickly the hatchet was lowered to the
ground, and turning he mounted his horse, as
Jason arose to his feet, saying,
"By the powers of darkness tits well you
have started, you REBEL
The moment Percy was upon his horse he
turned to Nora, and reaching out his arm, said
" come"
Her first impulse was to obey, as she thought
he was going from her sight forever, and she
started forward but the next moment she drew
back, exclaiming God bless you, and pity
me ! cannot Co."
Pat having mounted, the next instant the
sound of their horses feet fell heavily upon hel
heart, and with cry of agony she sank into
aunt Lena's arms.
From that swoon they could not rouse her
and late in the afternoon when they arrived al
home, (meetng several parties of their friends
in pursuit of them whom Ralph had collected)
she still lay in that death like Sleep The good
Doctor, when he arrived, opened vein, and
life once more flowed through her frame /; bu
reason was banished and delirium fingered OF
her fevered lips.
Meanwhile the wretched Percy, half distrac
ted as he remembered the anguished looks will
which Nora had spoken her last words, anC
which burnt like GOALS of fire on his brain, spec
onward towards Manchester, followed by Pa
who as often as he came up with him would re
monstrate
I" The divil o'bit of ridin' so fast, Masther
ye'l break yer neck an me own too
g care not Pat if do my own.''
" Arrah, Masther, don't be afther takin' i
SO hard. if ye're darlint wouldn't come.''
''Don't ever mention her to me again, Pat
remember.
+" Sure and don't blame you for not wish
ing to hear of her agin, for was mad will
meself when she'd not come, atther ye're askin
her so pertiy.''
"Have not told you, Pat, to say no more o
her?"
Yes, Masther, hear; are you sick, 20,
look 80 pale?"
Yes, Pat, I'm sou-sick, and nothing bu
death will cure me, and am too unhappy t.
die"