Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1858-07-01

taking Floriora by the hand, led her can t;ouslv
along the waters edge, round the end of the
point. ~ " 'ns
Now, said he, "the plain behind is full of
people, and We cannot cross il without hein q
seen. Some OF my friends would let US escape:
others, more selfish, would delay u.s. Can YOU
sWln again down stream with your hand on
She answered that she could, submitting her.
sell implicitly to the faith of the stranger who
nad saved her, and tactly accepting his sacri.
noes, perhaps because she knew she could re-
ward them. They dipped noiselessly into the
stream, and in leisurely manner began to
cross. The passage was effected without diff.
ca,.y' n ana on emerging, they found themselves
OF the camp, the position of which could onlv
De distinguished by mass of smoke, reflect.
ing dull red glow. Their difficulties we've
however, not yet over; the estate of the Lord
bibiano stretched all along that part of the
river, far, far away" said Floriora. and il
s nouio oe impossible to traverse them during
the night She knew, however, a village of
in safety Po'""p' niue
but Michael, who probably knew that the
Aigans were not always faithful one to the 9th.
eI, e, said that he preferred hiding in the woods
Ihey accordingly proceeded for some distance
All night long, indeed; and as the dawn began
themselves n
mass OF trees to pass the day
when the sun had risen, FIoriora saw with
some terror that they were not far from the
country villa of her lord; but Michael told her
Tbs was the place where their pursuers would
oe least likely to look for them. And in truth.
tney spent the day on the edge of little glade
IN .ne forest. without seeing any living thing,
save few birds, squirrel on the tree, and
some bright green lizards. Michael, as soon as
IL was light, contemplated Floriora with amaze
ment: Her beauty seemed to increase as the
morning broke more cheerily through the trees:
ana when the sun suddenly darted a sheaf of
goioeh beams through a cleft in the brancby
canopy upon this maiden companion of his, he
could scarcely refrain from uttering n crv of
wonder. She was small, indeed, and deI;catolv
formed, but had evidently attained the age
wnen young girls, as they 90 down to the
springs look furtively over the shoulder to
know II they are followed from afar of. Mi.
chael computed the relative value of the treas
ure ne had lost and the treasure he had gained,
anu iound that he was richer man than on the
previous eve. Some will wonder that he should
thus at once assume right of property over
the maiden whose life he had saved; but he
knew the power of gratitude by the experience
OF MS own heart; and besides was there not
something in the artless look of admiration
which fIoriora now and then cast u at his coun.
tenance that told what form her thoughts were
tahing' One question he asked to satisfy him.
sell, In low voice, as he sat looking down at
tentively at blade of grass that was shining
In speck OF sunlight; HAS Floriora left any
one behind in the village whom she regrets2''
MY father, she replied with emphasis, s'is
grieving over my loss, and will rejoice to hear
of my safety"
This was enough; and though all was doubt
and uncertainty for the morrow, their happy
hearts throbbed all day long in empowered re-.
cesses of the forest.
TO BE Continued