Nevada national., 1859-10-08

among them. Ny slightest word was law
aud IL was strange to see the tenderness ant
respect which they rendered me-
But they had been branded as outlaws
and the government had set large price OF
their heads. One day We had taken refug,
in cavern after being hunted ~ wild beasts
when we were suddenly surprised and cap
tured by large body of constabulary.
I'VE were put in prison. aud after shor
trial the band we're condemned to death: bu
my youth gained me friends. and the vener
able Judge, who had taken great interes
tn me. having no children. adopted me ne hi,
own.
Il wept bitterly at the terrible fate of my
old conpanious. whom sincerely loved. and
as was bidding them last aeieu, the chief
who was a stern mysterious man, called me
TO him, handed me a small box. bade me on
my honor never to open ii until my twenty
first birthday. Solemnly vowing 10 do biz
bidding, | babe them last farewell
MY home with the Judge aud his beauti-
ful wife was oil that | could desire; they
loved me tenderly, and did all in their pow
er to make me happy. had the best mas
ters, and every attention was paid to my cd
ucation.
AT eighteen | entered society as the adop.
ted daughter Of Judge Dudley; was well re-
ceived, and reigned belle during the whole
season. My adopted father, who was vel v
proud OF me, intended that should make a
great match, but when told him that bad
bestowed my affections on my William, hi.
rage knew no bounds. He declared that no
beggar should win me- and bade me hence
forth consider his friend, the Hon. Jasper
Singleton, as my future husband.
Il replied that would never we'd suy
person but William, and that il would be
useless TO urge me in the matter. | was in
dignant at bis applying such an epithet to
William, who was man of rare talents and
young lawyer struggling to On honorable
position in the world.
"Hoarse with anger, he babe me begone
Too long, said be, have harbored you un.
grateful girl, 10 my home, never thinking
that like viper you would sting ME when
least expected it. Begone, be cried as be
almost hurled me from his house.
Loving my adopted father, sought to b,
reconciled to him, but be was deaf to nv EN-
treaties unless / would give up William.
"That week William and we're married
and humble though our home was, happiness
ever lowered around us, until one unfortu.
nate day my husband was riding u haste /,
neighboring town, when be was throw,
from bis horse and severely hurt For week
his life was despaired Of. Night and day
watched by the bedside of my only eartbl,
hope, and the Almighty at last rewarded m,
efforts and spared my husbands s life. Dur
ing the excitement had forgotten that W,
were almost penniless, and soon the realit,
stared US in the face. We we're forced /,
leave our pretty cottage, and William, who's,
weakness prevented his working, with unut
terable agony watched me as endea voret
to earn small pittance to sustain life. Bu
my constitution was not strong, and wa
soon attacked by dangerous illness whicl
is wasting my life away. have but a shor
time to live, Doctor, and as this is the ami
versary Of my twenty first birthday, woult
before | die, have the mystery which hang
over my life unravelled. Doctor, pleas,
hand me that box lying on the mantel.-
Poor William she said. stoop,ng over snC
kissing her husbands pale brow, be com
forted.'
my Mary be murmured. 4 will uevcl
know comfort again
My father, as desired, opened the box. ant
took out bnndle of papers. aud was about
handing them to the man, when the woman
said, William is too sgitated. Doctor; viii
you be Kind enough to read them aloud
yourself:"
A slip Of paper fell from his band, and
on picking it uppy father read =
This is to certify that the child, Mary
who has lived with our band for years, is the
daughter of DIR. Austin, Of B. stolen by
me to avenge my wrongs in winning from
me the only being ever loved. am dy
ing, and seek TO repair the only injury done
to one once loved"
Emanuel yalerino. my child, my child y
cried my father, bending over his new-found
daughter. Ny darling Mary, for whom
have mourned for long. long years; is 1t thus
behold you; my God. spare. oh. spare my
child, be said, with frantic emotion, kissing
her.
Father, father" was all she could mnr-
mur. as she sank back, exhausted, upon her
pillow.
william, am thy father too love ms
as son. Our loved one may yet live but
II il is Gods will TO take her. We will never
he separated"
Unable to speak, the busbaad clasped
warmly my fathers hand.
We wonder cd father did no; return tha
night. and we're not little s-tonishea n ssi
him driving msdiy ur to the house n,xt moc