The weekly mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado County, Calif.) 1861-1862, 1861-07-27

TOnuHK MIN WIN 0etefmlne0 otf.
Back minion, nor dare to handy words
with me !" retOrted Sir Evan, with fash.
ing eyes; "this 10 no l0Dger . home for
you, snd ifin three hours hence, I find you
within these walls, will denounce you
to ClaverhouSe, who knows how to exc.
cute judgement on nOnconformists I"
"Oh, God have mercy on US, for we
are fearfully tried Give US time to
think-tO decide where we can 60" cried
the two younger girls sinking at his feet.
ut well becomes you to crave mercy
from your master. But It's boon l can.
not grant," replied Sir Evan, grimly.
my master I worthless MANI ex.
claimed Kate, proudly, In reply to his
tauDt, "kBOw that own no master, save
one, and rather will die on the bleak
moor than accept the bounty Of person
40 lost to honor and gratitude. Come,
sisters, let Us 20 from beneath this per.
jured rOOf, and rs surely IS there IL an
avenging God, he will judge between the
spOiler and his victims 7"
II fear not your threats, Kate; but l
would remind You that your lives are in
jeopardy each moment you stay here, and
that time is precious until you find q hid
ing place."
A heavy tread was now heard on the
stairs, and hOarse voice cried: -
"Holloa, comrade, is this your welcome
to King Charies's dragoOnsi The roy.
ais are particularly celebrated for sObrie.
ty and temperance where liquor il scarce !;
but, unless you soon let Us discuss the
merits Of your eAtablea, we shall be apt
to study the geographical position of the
store rooms"
Patience, Clayerhouse, for . brief
space, and ! will be with you," answered
Sir EvAn, moving towards the door. II
leave you to your pleasant reflections,
my fair damsels, and il you obey not my
orders promptly, In two hours hence you
will be prisoners"
Hear me-" said Kate, laying her hand
on his arm, and looking up in his face
with . glittering eye, "whilst curse the
wretch whose cOwardly soul has betrayed
US into the hands Of our eneniesY"
Sir Evan smiled in scorn, but firmly
grasping lher sisters hands, Katharine
Gordon planted herself before him with
fixed determination in her countenance,
before which the hardened bypocrite
quailed, as she raised her eyes devoutly
to heaven, and continued solemnly:
"Listen. thou Hearer Of prayeri and
record our wrongs whilst pour forth
maIediction upon these lands, that hence.
forth nought but weeds, thistles and sands
may be found on the fair domain Of For
vie!"
$50 honest q prayer deserves q hearty
Gmen," calculated Sir Evan, as he strobe
from the apartment.
Before the shades Of night closed on
the hapIess girls, they had looked their
last on the home Of their birth, and with
the aid Of On old attached domestic. were
conveyed to safe retreats with different
members Of the family, who feared to
make themselves obnoxious to the gov.
crnment by openly espOusing their cause.
Three years passed over, and in the
stormy state Of public affairs which fol-
lowed the death Of King Charles, Sir Evan
entirely forgot his defrauded wards and
the prophecy. Too wise, after the attain.
ment Of his objects to identify himself
with the critical fortunes of either party,
he secretly rejoiced in his neutrality, and
~ the political horizon darkened around
him, withdrew to his ill.gotten estate,
which he employed his time in improving.
But the justice Of that God whose laws
he had 10 grossly violated, was about to
fall upon him, as surely rs 1t had been
called for.
The day had been gloomy and lower
ing and though there was little wind. o
tremendous sea, which, as evening ad.
vanced, rose higher and higher against
the precipitous rocks, had been rolling
ashore since dawn. At nightfall, however,
the wind began TO blow in long, hollow
gusts around the sharp gables Of the cas-
lie, and the rain pattered against the case.
ment Of the oak lined chamber, in which
sat Sir Evan and his lady.
at will be a storm from the north
east" she said. "the gulls have been fly
ing landward since daylight never saw
the swell come heavier sgainst the rocks II
"It is . rough evening"" replied Sir
Evan, walking towards the window " the
last wave dashed the surf against the
outer wallis How the sea boils and
RACES! !"
As the night darkened, the storm in.
creased and the wind roared among the
cliffs like the rattIing Of artillery. Al
times, there were sudden pauses, and ther
O blast struck the castle, pressing on its
roof and walls till the floors rocked, and
the Tafters and beams QuiveFed again
There was n csaseless patter Of Fain-nOw
lower, now louder and the fearful thun'
dering of the waves IS they ragged among
the pointed crags, was mingled with the
hosFse roar Of stones along the beach.
There was no attempt to sleep that nigh
in FOrvie castle, and Sir Evan sat before
the FIRE with his hands covering his face
shuddering every time fierce gust yelled
along the roof Had anything awakened
conscience? d.,
Towards morning, the moon, in heI
last quarter, rose red and glaring. uplight
ing the broad belt of foam that skiFtet
the shore, which was heaped with huge
wreaths of sand upbOrne by the storm
It vas q fearful scene, and IS the drift
continued to fly like snow, there seemed
no signs Of the tempest abating.
"HeaVen have mercy upon usl" cried
group Of terrified dOmestics, bursting
into the room, wringing their hands,
How now, menials, what means thii
disrespectful conductr" demanded Si
Evan, tTaughtily.
"WO Is me We shall perish the weirC
10 coming upon us" exclaimed an ageC
servitOr, "eVery hollow between the cas-
tie and sea is splashed deep with sand
that glitters to the rising sun. We mus
leave the castle or be buried alivel"
"Cease, fOOll" cried Sir Evan, 6erCely
but OH going towards the window, h,
started on behOlding the desOlatiOn which
. few hours had made then, with calm
ness he did not feel, he added, ait is
melancholy Prospect, but let US not form
hasty conclusions The wind will probA
bly, fall ~ the day advances, and tn,
storm pass away as suddenly IS It rose" I"
The superstitiOus dOmestics Withdrew
to talk over and discover cause for thi
scene Of terror for many Of them ha'
| aarvad the fnrmOP laird and wuaaaad thu