The southern aegis, and Harford County intelligencer. (Bel Air, Md.) 1862-1864, 1862-07-05

d uttio emluence On WHICH Lnere was
thick growth Of underwood; as I passed
it, Mark Ruthson rode out and joined me.
He pressed his suit with his usual fervor,
his hypocritical face looking, if possible,
more repulsive than ever. He finally of.
fered me his hand and heart. Rising in
my seat, said:
"Mark Ruthson, no words can express
the disgust feel for you, and if you in
suit me again I will cowhide you, sir !''
1t would be impossible to depict the
expression of rage which swept over his
face.
"Jane Mannering, mark my words, I
will be revenged."
Casting upon him look of unutterra-
BILE contempt, | whipped my horse and
soon lost sight of him.
The next day Mark Ruthson left the
village, and went no one knew where. A
year from that Harry Cheverly and l
were married, and with the blessing of
my mother, and the best wishes of my
friends, we started for the western wilder
ness.
I will pass over period of ten years,
during which a, substantial log cabin had
been built and rude though it was, love
made it little palace. Our hearts were
also gladdened by our little Eddie, the
image of his father, and a noble little fell
low.
About this time we heard of the depre-
dations that the Indians were committing,
by some passing stragglers, which filed
us with a temporary alarm. But our
fears soon passed away, and we regarded
the report as greatly exaggerated, or to-
tally untrue.
One evening Eddie returned from his
rambles, bringing with him moccasin,
which he said he found in the woods
This filed me with alarm and uneasi-
ness, felt presentiment of coming dan
ger.
Next morning I mentioned my fears to
Harry. But he only laughed at my ter
ror, and playfully handing me little re-
volver, babe me defend myself like man,
and went to the woods to his daily work.
1 slipped the revolver into my pocket
playfully, but could not entirely divest
myself of my fears.
For an hour | sat on my low rocking
chair, counting the moments as they few,
when my attention was attracted by noise
on the opposite side of the room. Look
ing quickly around, to my dismay, I saw
dozen Indians, evidently just from war,
each bearing his bloody scalp. The fore
most advanced, and appeared to be the
chief of the party. He approached and
would have laid rough hands on me, when
my darling boy raised himself to his full
height, his blue eyes flashing, and de-
handed what they meant by their intru-
sion, and how they dared lay hands on his
mother.
The chief paid no attention to him, but
babe his warriors bind us, which was
quickly done, and after few moments,
the chiefs retired for consultation; when
seizing the opportunity, scratched on
the wall
"Harry, we are in the hands Of the In.
dams"
The chiefs returned, and we were soon
borne with rapid, but noiseless steps, into
the depths Of the wilderness. The CHIEF
who had bound us attracted my attention.
I was sure I had seen him before, but
where / could not say.
Three days and three nights without
stopping, we were borne away from out
home, and the fourth we stopped in small
hollow, which / found strewed with bones
and skulls. While contemplating this
scene with horror, looked up, and the
Indian chief stood before me. With )
sneer over his dark features, he said, il
good English
sThough you have forgotten me, Jane
Mannering, for so ! will call you, I have
by no means forgotten you
aWho are you z" said I.
81 am Mark Ruthson," the chief re.
piled, and ID those painted features, re-
lmembered the hypocritical face Of the con
Esummate villain.
i There was no pity in his revengeful
|heart, and I read our doom in those hard
features.
apo YOU see yender tree 7" said be, il 4
quick, sharp tone. Before the night
| your Soy will be teand 10 that tree, and
| bis young scalp be clipped IRON his head
BY my savage friends; and You will re-
mein and ii the morning share the same
fate"