The Cass County Republican. [volume] (Dowagiac, Mich.) 18??-1880, 1860-03-22

husband-not one word OF it will / be-
lieve."
Madam you have the proof-the
token that you gave him was trans
ferred to another-the girl who watched
by your sick bed, wishing every mo-
ment that you would breathe your last. u
"False, false-her care and kindness
would remove the base suspicion"
"And more than that, tired of thy
charms, he gave to me the letterI carried
to you, to use to my own advantage,
and lure you to my arms. Thus you
see l have been employed to aid his
purposes"
'Never, never, will / believe it.'
"'Tis true, as his own trusty servant
Thomas will testify. Now hear me
Laura; forget this man who is so un-
worthy of you, and fly with me, where
slaves shall wait your bidding, and the
homage of devoted heart be yours
this night we must be gone -"
"I'll hear no more, thou willy hypo-
critic! thou false deceiver! Darest
thou thus belle my noble husband to
effect thy own base purposes? I've lis
tened to thee till the dark web uncoiled,
and now hear me, false traitor, false to
the friend who saved thee from a wat
cry grave; false to the country which
gave thee birth and above all, false to
her to whom thou hast plighted thy
faith in the face of heaven-ah shrink
at the accusation, but know all, "and
So" rising from the bed where she had
lain, in the dress in which she had trav-
eled-- Sand so you thought of me
SO lightly, as that would desert man
l adore above all human beings, and
for such a thing as thee % Her eyes
naturally so mild and dove-like, flashed
like an enraged Pythoness. Believe
me, sir, men do but seldom know the
strength of woman's heart when she
really and truly loyes. When interest
or indifference has sealed her union,
wealth or temptation might make her
falter in her faith but if she once loues,
she loves .forecer. You tell me that he
forsakes me, / believe it not, but even
if it were true, no power on earth can
tempt me from my plighted faith.
Away! You have my answer, and mark
me, | am not defeDceless. Through
all the horrid scenes which I have wit
messed since, by false message you
lured me from my home-even in that
vile tavern, where | overheard your
plot, and the intended degradation to
myself, through all the agony of the
next days journey, when overcome
with anguish of body and of mind, you
dragged me senseless to this place,
through all this 1 say-this companion
has been clasped to my hearts" she
drew a small silver dagger from her
bosom-'now approach one step near
er, and it is bathed in my blood or your
own"
For moment, Vernon shrunk back
appalled, at the spirit he saw so sudden
ly displayed in one he had thought the
weakest and most timid of her sex ;
but that very exhibition of the energy
of her soul, had lighted up new beauty
in her faultless features, and bat
strenthened his determination to make
her his own at all hazards. To wrest
} the weapon from her trembling hand
was the work of a moment, and he was
proceeding to clasp her delicate form
} in his arms, and bear her off by force,
when he found himself pinioned as in
a vice by some persons from behind.
"No, you don't, you rascally red
coatr' exclaimed the voice of David
Hoyt $50 the wives and daughters OF
our brave soldiers are not safe i'm their
homes, while those they love are abroad
. fighting for their freedom But so
, sure as there's a God in heaven, will /
foil you, though my hearts blood is
, poured out in the conflict. Girl, the
rope-quick-there's no time to lose. u
4
"Alice, you dare not" cried Vernon,
casting on the shuddering girl malig-
nant look leave the room, minion,
, and leave me to deal with him. Go,
say"
81 shall not CO." returned the un.
, daunted girl. Sir, my eyes have al
last been opened to your villainy
Yonder lady is NOT your wife, and you
intended to reduce her to the situation
in which your falsehood and hypocrisy
have placed ME. Bnt the veil has fal
len from my eyes. / am your dupe nc
longer. Dear lady, lean on me-yor
are pale and weak-the carriage waits
below to bear you to your real husband
Here is the rope, good pedlar; take it
! and use it as you will. We shall wal
o for you at the turning of the road"
"Alice Alice MY WIFE 7" screamed