Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1862-02-27


his mounted staff block was prepared, attend
ed by an execuoner, bearing pondcrous sci
me'ar, the instrument of death. Within the
square and on the left Of the exccutioner
stood the handful of doomed Greeks, among
whom Ida was conspicuous by the beauty Of
her features. her dress, and her heroic bear
ing
Before the cxecutoner had received his or.
dcrs TO commence his savage work, the sound
of buglc was heard, and an officer, advanc-
ing to the Pacha, announced the arrival of two
messengers from Missolongh the bearers of u
flag of truce. The Pacha Immediately ordered
them to be set before him and in obedience tc
the command Demetrius and Gerald, mounted
on foe horses, rode up to the Turkish command
er. A faint cry escaped the lips Of Ida rs sht
recognized her lover.
'Plcha,' said the latter i come to treat
with you for the ransom OF yon boy
The Pacha smiled, bitterly.
what interest," he asked. do ycu feel il
that - that boyr
'Ile is the son Of a friend laltered Demetri
us 4 would save him for his fathers sake.
You will be sorry to learn, then said the
pacha, coldy, that on the hour Of noon he
dies. Dog Of an irGdel,' he added, fercely
do not think to blind me. Yon is no hoy il
is Ida Of Arhens-your bctro,hed. lla ha
am not revengcd :?
'Pacha = cried Demetrius, as the cold drop.
Of agony stood upon his brow, 'you know me
well ! SIN your dcadIicst enemy the sworn
foe of your race In the cities o; the minaret,
the Mo,lcm mo'bcrs are yet weeping FOR their
first born, slain by the sword Of Dcmetrius
Only last night ! made your braycsr bite the
dust, and oven vet my leadership may save
MssoIonghi, Well offer you that hated life
Lterate yon captive, and receive me In hel
place.
Pacha be firm ! Listen not to his propo
SAILS cried Ida.
4 hate thee, Greek dog = answered the Pa
cha, through his teeth but your death alone i,
sufficient to satisiy that hate would not
have thee die till thou hast quatTed the cup o.
misery to its dregs. The means of wringnl
that proud soul are in my power. Your be-
loved dies. Remain aud witness her death, OF
90 back to Alissoloughi, and tell them whor
the shadows begin 10 fall to the east, Ida oi
Athens is no more
AZ least, SAID Dcmotrius you will prrmi
one last word to the prisoner e
'Graned,' said the Paeha for it will only
add to the egony Of both. But be brief
AT a motion Of his hand the ranks opened
and Drmetrns rode into the hollow square.
Ida he suld, our days of happiness are
numbered. Greece, fear, has tallen-our
dream of glory and felicity is dispelled, came
hero to die for YOU
Il could not have life at such sacrifice
Go, dearest, VIC Shall NEE, in a better world
Go and tell them at MissoIonghi that Ida is hap.
py in dying for her country.
Ida there is one hope whispered Deme-
trlus This barb is as fleet as the winds OF
heaven. Your foot and sinews are as light as
the gazelIc's. Spring up behind me. and away
They can but kill US and it will be SO sweet to
die together
In an instant the little Greek girl was on the
horse, her arms aroundhcr lovers waist With
the bound Of panther the animal sprung for
ward with his double burden.
Gerald was beside them.
Sire = shouted the Pacha, rising in bis stir.
ups, as he headed the pursuit
A rafting voIIey Of musketry instantly fol.
lowed the command bat the confusion of the
soldiers, and the bounds of the flying horses
dl-conccrted their aim. Winged as the wind
the Greek horses ped upon their wav, and the
lovers and thrr, friend we're soon in Nllssoonrhi.
That night, in the same ruined church which
had teen the scene Of the council of war, the
patriarch united the hands Of Demerlus and
Ida bciorc the ruined altar. -GleaS0n'S Literu.
'y Companion.