The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1861-09-25


ole ir close conversation with her father
She struck a light and intensely listened 10
The conversation. The stranger was none
other than the wellti1nown collector,
! AlbsHo Maldito, who had come on his
usual mission OF extortion. On This occa-
the bulk of the old mans stock, alleging
that the necessities OF the country required
it. The old man demonstrated, pleading
! the necessity of what be had for his own
! support, but the officer was inexplorable,
and ordered his myrmidons outside 10 Sc
cure what they came after. While they
were thus employed, he cast his eyes on
Manuea, who was reclining in a corner.
eageFly waiting for the result OF the conver.
| salion. He sat himself by her side with
the familiarity of an old acquaintance bu,
the maiden Immediately arose and proceed.
ed hastily towards her father Maldlo
rushed towards her and would have pushed
his impudebce further had not blow from
old Jorge Puerco laid him upon The ground.
Hoarse with rage he jumped to his feet,
drew his sword, and doubtless would have
killed the old man had not a more formda-
BILE opponent met him in the person of young
francisco. thriving fisherman from the
neighboring shore, who had Just come on
one OF his accustomed visits to Manuella
The muscular form and determined as
pect OF the youthful but powerful Indian FOR
moment deferred The coward from making
an attack. Relying upon his being an Off
Ger and also armed, he angrily ordered
Francisco to return TO his cabin. The lover
cast one glance al the pleading eyes of Man
uela, then with naught bu; machela, or
shor, sword usually carried by those of his
class, he put himself in posture of defence
aud sgnifed his intention of protecting The
inmates of The casa from Insult or violence.
Old Jorge, fearful OF The consequences of
having gone so far, advanced with the in-
| tertion Of conciliating The two ere they
should engage in bloody strife.
In The meantime Maldilo's companions
returned, and perceiving the position of The
/ par les Immediately attacked Jorge and
francisco with their weapons. Tue latter
vainly endeayofed TO reach his foe, bu, he
quickly retreaied behind his men and
urged them on. The contest was too une-
quail and Francisco soon lay bleeding upon
the ground, while ManDela's father was
being ppinoned brutal soldier held a bay
onet TO his breast.
Manneila. who had been spell.bound
spectator of the scene, now rushed forward
.,n.t =, fr,,,;o ,o,.o. tt...,,,b, -, t;,,. -
her father and lover.
"OhEy spare them 10 me" she cried and
all that we possess shall be yours. Take
our property-deslroy our homes il you
( wish, but Oh spare me The lives Of those
who have loved and protected me from
iniancyl Regard the old age of my father,
aud leave me mol alone in the world"
She knew uot the character of the man
she addressed. With g0ating eye he gaz
ed upon her picturesque beauty, heightened
as it was by her distress
"Upon one condition." replied he, "shail
their lives be spared, and not only that, your
father retain bis properly"
'sName the condnionn res ponded the sup.
plant maiden "aHd though my own life be
dsmanded will yield il TO preserve those
so dearly love-"
SIT is ihis,-ihat you accompany me 10
The capital wheIe yon shall live it, regal
spendor and be surrounded with all The
luxuries your hearI can desire" 81
He, likewise had mistaken the character
oiahe maiden Jorge Puerco cIenched his
! fists and regarded his daughter with warn
ing glance. Francisco raised his bleeding
head The better to hear her answer, while
ManuelIa rose from her knees and with
flashing eyes confronted the base villain.
ssHear me,v said she with voice iremb.
ling no more, slavery aye death ilselfis pre-
ferabIe TO the life you offer me. detesI
! your proposition, so DO your wors,D -
Maldilo for moment was taken aback al
! The decision Of character manifested by one
whom he had regarded as a simple lhdian
maiden, but it was only for moment
With feBdisE smile upon his swarthy
feature, be ordered his men 10 lie the pris-
oners securely TO the corner posts of the
casa, then seizing The struggling Manuella,
! he rushed from the place. Old Jorge made
soperhuman efforts TO release himself and
follow his daughter, but in vain. Francis
co was so weakened with the loss OF blood
thai on making an effort 10 rise he fainied.
The screams of Manuela however, attract
ed 10 the place the widowed mother of Fran
cisco The terrified woman gazed nemb-
ling, al the bloody features of her son, now