Urbana union. [volume] (Urbana, Ohio) 1862-1872, 1862-08-13

AT length Miss Primly fell ill, and while her
fever was at its height came the news of Fort
Donelson, and the wild panic and terror that
overlook Nashville. In the midst Of it all,
Lutte sat calm and even joyous, for to her the
Federal army meant simply Jack Centyre.
Jack well, faithful, and coming back to her,
was the picture Hope held up before her; and
one afternoon, while the city was breathlessly
expecting the coming of BueIls army, as she
sat by a lower window weaving golden
dreams, she heard the jar of the gate, and
looking up caught the glitter of sword and
epaulets. He had come, and breathless with
delight she ran to the door, opened it, and
started back aghast. The uniform Of the Tex
an Ranger met her eye, and a face pre-emi-
nently handsome, spite of the evident traces
Of debauch-a face only too familiar to her,
that OF Raymond Mainwairing, outcast for his
vices from a circle by no means sanity, and
her bitterest enemy because she had once re-
jected him. What could have brought him
there2 She stood holding the door, looking
at him with undisguised dismay.
"May come in ?" he asked with an evil
smile. at is so long since we have met"
Even as he spoke, he stepped past her into
the hall, turned the key in the lock, and took
it out
These are unsettled times" he sneered,
land I have no fancy for being impaled like
bug on a Federal bayonet and sent North
as curiosity. VIII you come into the library.
Miss Loder? 1 have something to say to
you."
There was no one within call but female
servants, for all the neighbors had fled: no
help but to follow. Lutte did so with silent
prayer. He gave her a seat, placed himself
beside her, and leaning forward, fixed his eyes
intently on her face.
You, remember, are fond Of poetry" :"
was his somewhat unexpected beginning. a.
came here to quote a stanza that has been
running in my head all day."
Kind of you, but is it worth the risk p
Pray, what Is your quotation p
He took her hand Direful menace and
fierce triumph famed in the midnight depths
of his eyes. He spoke as if he would burn
in every word on his memory:
"FOr Time at last sets all things even;
And if we do but watch the hour,
There never vet was human power
Which could evade, if unfOrgiven,
The patient search and vigil long
Of him who treasures up a wrong"
| He had marvellous voice, full, deep, capa-
ble of any infection, and it rung out now like
the toll of doom. Lute's heart gave a sudden
bound, and then stood still in mortal terror;
the blood surged over cheek and brow, and as
suddenly receded; her voice shook spite Of
her bravest efforts, though her words were
calm enough.
" Bon ! I see your taste has improved; but
I conclude this is only your text What is
your sermon ?"
"A short one, Lutte. A year ago loved
on, and you might have saved and redeemed
me. You refused with scorn, and society ap-
plauded you, but Time has set all things
even." The wheel has turned. Society has
need Of me now, and ignores you"
"True, yet hardly worth the telling"
You are right, as usual, were that all
had to say; but listen. I am man of curious
pertinacity of disposition, and 1 never relin-
quish determination. A year ago decided
that you must belong to me. I have not
changed my mind, though have waited in
silence. My time has come. Your consent
is no longer necessary. You are alone here,
in city distracted with mad, selfish terror,
and Government will not inquire too closely
into the conduct of so useful an officer. I
shall take you
"You dare not
a. dare any thing"
"God-"
Is on the side of heavy battalions and fa-
vorable circumstances.
She struggled to shake off his grasp onher
wrist, which he had unoonCiously tightened
to painful degree. A locket fell from her
belt. He picked it up and opened it.
"Jack Centyrel So he is my rival Will
it interest you to know that saw him at Ft
Donelson? He was one of the first to scale
the walls, and, think, was cut down. Dnt
come, my love, time passes
A pistol lay on the table. Lutte, in despe-
ration, caught it and aimed it at him. He smi-
led sconfully.
Shall show you how to pull the rrig-
gerY' I think you are more afraid of it even
than of me. What soldiers wife you will
maker
She dashed down the pistol and darted to-
ward the door, but he held her fast. A mo-
ments struggling exhausted her little strength
and left her utterly helpless in his iron grasp.
There was no relenting in his determined face
he had no pity. Surged up then to her
brain, with dull, waving sound to her ears,
the quickened tide of blood. She seemed
fainting, dying; when suddenly, amidst the
whirl and confusion of her faculties, she found |
that she was listening to a sound growing !
nearer and louder every moment; the quick
gallop of the horses; the creaking of the gates;
the loud echo Of hOofs along the carriage road.
Come !" urged Raymond, with an oath
Her answer was long and thrilling shrek.
Shouts and voices responded from without !
They were laundering at the door-locked
alas and quite strong enough to Withstand
lengthy siege. Some one called hers