Delaware State journal and statesman., 1861-07-30

""SH Nut lntetest nhhBs on huoh pFecatlOu
tenure. Well you know the danger your fathe
was often placed in of losing his life and land
Tor consciences sake, and the heavy fines i'm
ister"
But why are you suspicious of Sir Evan
Kate 2 asked Annie. { His manner towards III
is ever courteous, and If his opinions differ from
ours, he is careful how he expresses them. Me
thinks we are needlessly expressing ourselves.
would that 1t were SO but ! have noted
cruel meaning in his look and tone when making
'he greatest efforts TO please. l know twas he
who informed on our father, and then restrain
Gu Claverhouse from executing vengeance. This
journey bodies us no good, and it will be darb
and fearful morning to us when he returns OIL
Tn greatly mistaken.
The poor girls shuddered at the mention oil
that perjured mans name, false alike to friends
and country
20, God defend us from that barbarous ruff
nan and give US the same undaunted courage aud
fortitude to submit to Thy will ia time Of need
as Thou has given to others of Thy persecuted
people, piously calculated Isabella, sinking upon
her kneesi and following her example, the other
orphans zealOusly poured out with sobs their
petition to the Father of the fatherless
feel, in words Of good Mr.. Cameron, that
the Lord will spare the green corn, and if lie
brings us through much trbuation, he will at
last open the gates Of heaven to receive US. De
OF good courage, sisters, our cause is in excel
lent hands, said Katherine rising to her feet
with renewed frmness, which was soon to be
put severely to the test.
The Duke of York had just entered on the
administration of the affairs Of Scotland, nud
anxious to concilate persons of condition, as
| wei as disposed TO act with severity against
Presbyterians of every shade, was easily induced
TO pass sentence of forfeiture on the lands Of
Forvie. In the same facile manner he regrant
ed them to Sir Evan, who not only promised
that his dependents should renounce tho Cove
nant, but that he would exert his influence with
his neighbors to take the test.
Weeks passed on and as nothing further trans
pired to rouse their fears or awaken their anx.
iety, the timid young girls fondly hoped the
ominous conclusions they had drawn from their
klnsman's journey were falsei when one day
horses feet were heard dashng rapidly into the
courtyard, and Sir Evan came abruptly and un-
announced into their presence
Excuse my sudden entrance, he said for
my news is urgent As you are known to hold
fanatical principles, the Privy Council has for.
ieited your inheritance, and party Of dragons
has been sent from Aberdeen to put the sentence
into immediate execution; expect them here
speedilyp
Upon bearing this fearful announcement, the
poor girls became blanched with fear, and gazed
with expressions Of alarm and grief on the guar
dian, in whose dark ffowning fierce and closely
set teeth they could hardly recognize the smooth,
polite Sir Evan Gordon, the sworn friend of their
father.
'You will not betray us you cannot be so
base-so forgetful of the ties Of blood and hon
or ! said Kate, advancing towards him, with as
much composure as she could command
In pity help us to escape TO a place Of safe.
ty, ana we will forever bless you = cried Annie.
The time and season must excuse this cour-
tesy, young ladies', replied Sir Evan, cooly, at
this perilons period, each one must look out for
self. aud shall not risk my personal safety for
harbOring rebels. But bark What full, earth
beating sound is that? II is the tramp of
horses !" And, as he spoke, a band of some
'hirty or forty dragoons drew rein in front Of the
castle.
This is your work, Sir Evan, to wrench our
lands from us base man is It thus you fulfil
yoar oath to a dead benefactor?' cried Kate,
excitedly, and confronting him with determin.
ed air.
'Black minion, nor dare to band words with
me = retorted Sir Evan, with flashing eyes
this is no longer home for you, and in three
hours hence, find you within these walls, will
denounce you to Claverhouse, who knows how
TO execute judgement on noncomformsts =
. 'Oh, God have mercy on us, for we are fenr-
fully triedl Give us time to think-to decide
where we can go = cried the two younger girls
sinking at his feet.
ut well becomes you to crave mercy from your
master. But It's boon cannot grant, replied
Sir Evan, grimly.
MY master? worthless mani exclaimed
Kate, proudly, in reply TO his taunt, know that
l own no master, save one, and rather will /
die on the bleak moor than accept the bounty of
person so lost to honor aud gratitude.-Come,
sister, let us go from beneath this petjured roof,
and as surely as there is an avenging God, he
will judge between the spoier and his victims =
Il fear not your threats, Kate; but would
remind you that your lives are in jeopardy each
moment you stay here, and that time is precious
until you find hiding-place.'
heavy tread was now heard on the stairs,
and a horse voice oried
'Holloa, comrade, is this your welcome to
King Charles's dragons The royals are par
ticularly celebrated for sobriety and temperance
where liquor is scarce but, unless you soon let
us discuss the merits Of your eatables. we shall
be apt to study The geographical position of the
store-rooms.
Patience, Cleaverhouse, for q brief space, and
will be with you, answered Sir Evan, moving
towards the door. Il leave you to your pleasant
reflections, my fair damsels, and II 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 glitiering
eye, whilst curse the wretch whose cowardly
soul has betrayed us into the hands of our
enemiesl
Sir Evan smiled in scOrn, but firmly grasping
his sisters hands. Katherine Gordon planted
herself before him with fixed determination in
her countenance, before which the hardened
hypocrite quaied, as she raised her eyes deVout-
ly to heaven and continued sOlemnly:
Listen, thou Hearer Of prayer and record
our wrongs whilst pour forth a maladiotion
upon these lands, that hencefourth nought but
weeds, thislles and sands may be found on the
fair domain of Forvie"
so honest prayer deserves hearty amen,
calculated Sir Evan, as he strobe from the apart
ment.
Before the shades Of night closed on the hap
less girls, they had looked their last on
the home of their birth, and with the aid of
IN old, attached domestic. were conveyed to safe
retreats with different members Of the family
who feared to make themselves obnoxious to the
government by openly espousing their cause.
Three years passed over, aud IN the stormy
state of public affairs which followed the death
Of KiHg Charles, Sir Evan entirely forgot his
defrauded wards and the prophecy. Too wise,
after the attainment of his objects to identify
himself with the critical fortunes Of either party
he secretly rejoced in his neutrality, and as the
political horizon darkened around him, withdrew
10 his i'll gotten estate, which he employed his
time in improving. But the justice fthat God,
whose laws he had so grossly violated, was
about to fall upon him, as surely as it had been
called for.
The day had been gloomy and lowering; and
though there was little wind, tremendous sea.
which, as evening advanced, rose higher and
higher against the preoipitous rocks. had been
rolling ashore since dawn. At nightfall, how
ever, the wind began to blow in long, hollow
gusts around the sharp gables Of the castle, and
the rain pattered against the easement Of the
k.ined chamber, in which sat Sir Evan and
his lady.
at will be a storm from the northeast she
....lIs k.a.. a.i... la