Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1861-10-09


weeks more Noyes Willard had them in his pos
session He bought them and with sarlonic
smile planned the ruin of the family whom he so
rutElessly prosecuted, exuting that he had
James Southwick in his power. Every debt that
the unfortunate man contracted, was viewed
with extreme satisfaction, and the notes he gave
were in due time bought by Noyes Willard. and
laid away in his escritoire by the side Cf the
mortgage. Thus in a short time, every debt
that stood against Mr.. Southwick fell into the
hands of his bitterest enemy, and were treasured
carefully up for future use The summer came
with its fierce heat and then waned into the first
days of autumn; and through all this lapse of
time William and Camerone labored with no
complaint. to Tighten tie heavy burden Of their
parents. The entire management of the out door
work fell into Williams hands, and he perform
ed it with cheerfuiness and industry, while
Camerone superintended the kitchen and dairy
work, keeping everything in order, and provi-
dirg indispensable comfort to her mother.
lie was in early September, and one pleasant
evening Carperone mounted the little pony that
her father had purchased as substitute for the
saddle horse she used to ride, intending to go to
post Office as she expected letter from Frederic.
A quick ride over the winding road brought
her to the town, an / not finding Mrs, Chapelle
at home, sic proceeded at once to the office The
clerk handed out a number Of letters and papers,
and Without pausing to look at them, Camerone
regained the back of her steed and set out for
home. At the corner of the street she met Mr..
Willard who lifted his hat and bowed with
mock gravity.
Good evening, Mademoiselle Scuthwick :;
you look charningly to night" said he smiling
ironically and, she passed him, low taunt-
ing laugh broke upon the still air.
Urging her horse into gallop, Camerone tur-
ned and looked back, as she hurried from sight.
The man was standing in the road and gazing
after her retreatng form, with his hat still raised
from his head. The shades of twilight had not
commenced to gather, and. aud as her pony sub
sided into a walk, Camerone shuflet over the
package of letters and papers, giencing at the
superscriptionS of each one. As she did she
noticed one addressed TO herself, and mailed with
the stamp OF the Holly office, Placing the 9TH
ers in her pocket, she deliberately broke the
seal, AMI thin white card floated down upon
the pony's name She caught it in Ter hand,
and read these words:
- have kept my promise. The specified
time has expired, and now | come to claim my
rights, ynu Shall see me tomorrow. Till then
am your devoted NELSON SCOFIELD,
He is here, then. Oh. heavens" gaspei
Camerone, crushing the piece of pastebOard in
her hand, and clinching the rein tightly
sudden fit Of frenzy seemed to seize her, and she
lashod her horse with her riding whip, until he
fairly bounded over the ground, snortinS with
pain and fright at the sudden caprice of his III
der. On they sped, aud Beechnut Farm soon
came III sight, Nearer and nearer to the old man
sion, and yet almost unconscious OF everything,
Camcrone mace no attempt to check the wild
speed Of tie pony, but urged him on. Pas the
farm aud over the road beyond, she galloped
rapidly, never stopping to think what direction
she was taking or where this desperate race
would end.
In the mean time storm had gathered IN
the heavens, and the muttering of thunder re-
sounded DER the kills while flashes of lightning
parted the clouds and Illuminated her pathway
with sp.endor for an instant, the next dying
away and leaving the darkness mora intense and
gloomy than before
Not until the first drops of rain began TO fall
did C,merone pause to ask herself where she
was going She was in the midst OF a. forest,
several miles from home, and pursuing a wild
and dangerous mountain road. As she thought
of this she turned her horses head and began to
retrace her way with the reckless haste
that she came a short time before. The rain fell
not in torrents, but steadily. and with no cessa-
ton. while afar off the thunder rolled away IN
hollow grnmblings, and the bright flashes OF
lightning grew more frequent. But they were
all unheeded by Camerone- Her every thought
feeling and emotion were centered upon the let
ter she had received and the dread certainty that
lay before her
1t was late when she drew rein at the door of
her own home, and as she slid from the back OF
the iaded stecd he passed to the stable leaving
her standing by the gate, alone. Staggering up
the path like under the influence of intCxicatior,
she flung open the door and passed into the din
ing room. William seated by the table,
reading, and as she cast her eyes around the
room. she saw that her father and mother were
ebsent.
A strange sickening sensation came over Cam
erone's frame. sudden feeling of warmth and
quiet for a moment shut out the conflict and tenn
| pest from mind and body, and with an articulate
murmur, she fell into her brothers arms, insen-
sible.
! William unfastened her Leavy riding hat and
removed it from her head, then gazing for an in
slant at the mute agony pic tured on Camerone':
face. Her long, wet ringlets clung around hel
pale cheeks with dropping tenderness, and hel
closed eyelids were wet with raindrops that had
fallen from her hat. a vial of hartshorn stood
unon the mantle shelf and with this William