Smyrna times., 1859-04-21
CHAPTER III.
LA ELw ooD

Twilight stole silently upon L1urelwood; it
cured IN upon the mansion and surrounding
trees like pale, soft mist. 1t was very quiet
hour, but 10 Jessie Burnside there was some
thing lnexpresslb'y oppressive in the air. Her
fair companions, Ruth HaVIland and Judith
Burnside, her sister, sympathlzed with these
feelings of uneasiness With the exception
of BIiukO, black servant, and Jupe, mulatto
girl, these ladies were at the time the sole oc-
cupants of the house, Mrs. Burnside bei"g ab-
sent in attendance upon a sick relative, while
Mr.. Burnside was serving in Marion's brigade
1t was at that period when the struggle for b.
erty seemed dark and hopeless South Carroll
na was overrun with pitIlcss enemies, aud de.
vastated with fire and sword. Torysn was
rife, and siaked abroad like destroying angel,
shifting old and young. No man trusted his
neighbor until he stood shoulder with hun in
battle. No one knew where to fnd faith aud
goId fellowship till danger and death had come
to apply the test To friend and brother.
BurnsIde's mansion-which had received the
name OF Laure!wood on account of it's proximI-
ty TO Laurel Swamp-was sJ far distant from
towns and cities that he tlattered himself It's
quietude would not be inlruded upon by march
ing armies or wandering bands OF lOyullsts. II
is true that he lett his beloved ones with reluc
tance, aud was often hlrlssed with fears for
their safety; but duty-yea, nRce ssry-cslc
him to the field, aud he went, hoping that Pro-
vidence would protect those he LETT at home
So far, Laurelwood had not oeen molested.-
| The terrible tales Of the atrocities committed
| IN neIghborlng towns and hamets were daily
reaching him. The Young ladies' had recently,
| too, had their fears excited by the prosecutions
of certuin persons, whose characters and prin-
cIpes were alike obnoxious. With these par
Ties we shall soon become better acquainted.
Wishing 10 conceal her detection of mind,
and see If the open air were not more exhIl-
rating, Jessie Burnside opened the door, and
stepped out. as she believed, unobserved by
Ruth and Judith. There was a small summer
house overgrOwn with vines, few yards dis
tant; /; she entered it, and sat down. She had
scarcely done SO, when she heard voice pro.
noHnce her name. She sprang up with a cry
Of terror. A large rough hand was laid rudely
over her mouth it was the hand of Martin
V0ntassle.
Come, Miss, don't be frightened, for am
neither wolf nor panther, but plain Martin
Vantassle-as good a man as you can find
atween here and the mouth OF the Santee.--
What's better, Pm kings man, and the kings
, men have it all their own way, now
you are rude and unmannerly, sir! CRIED
, Jessie, pushing him from her Indignantly. 81
you have business with me, speak it, and be
/ gone!'
"WelI, Mistress. / have matter of busines
with ye, reckon, which shall last for life,
you like. | amt person that can talk much
> and haven't great deal of time to spend II
4 that soft palaver they call love making; and
want wife right hard, and you're the gal Nv
4 a kinder fixed my miad on
A 'Oh, this is your wooing! said Jessie, con
!. temPtuousy. Let me tell you, Martin Van
II tassle, that your wooing is odous. You are
!. bear!'
That's right, Miss call me pet Names
You can make me the best-natured bear in th
= world, if you will
=; Vantassie attempted to tap her playfully III
IS der the chin with his clumsy hand.
So Don't touch me! there is contamination
the touch of one who turns traitor and betral
ID his own countrymen TO foreign INVADERS
ID have 90 patience with you, nor those of yol
character or habits Of thinking, who are assoc
ated with you in your crime and spoliation.
Il. The word Tory makes me shudder; your pr
ad sence dsgusts me, while your deeds il n
with horror'
I'M She tried TO escape from the summer hous
ni, Vantassle caught her by the wrist.
rel Not so fast, my scornful Now is the reil
of might over right. Law and order are f
he the land. Fear of magistrates is not now 1
in fore our eyes. We don't ask Shall we do Il
he or that4 but we do as we list. want y.
to and am come for you.'
We This is friehsful' gasped Jessie. Il sh