St. Cloud Democrat. [volume] (Saint Cloud, Stearns County, Minn.) 1858-1866, 1863-05-14
"IS 1T TImE?"
THE HEROINE OF THE TIROl..
A STORY FOUNDED on FACT.
CONCLUDED FROM LAST wEEK.)

CONCLUDED FROM LAST WEEK.)
Complete silence was maintained by all
three for some time-and in the doubtful
light their outlines reminded me of group
of marble statues. "Hear me-" at length
exclaimed Rusen in a rough and angered
voice, "and let US fully understand each
other. 1 am, as you know, not Tyrolese.
| have no personal feelings to crafty by
setting this unhappy country in blaze
On the contrary, those peaceful plans of
commerce which brought me hither thrive
best when public tranquility is establish
ed. If, therefore, stand committed to
this confcderacy, and throw into the scale
my money, influence, and credit, my re-
ward must be rendered certain. Pro-
nounce therefore the word, Dorothea :;
say that tomorrow you will become my
wife, and this moment will spring up
the rocky height. Speak clearly and
firmly; for no longer, and least of all,
here, will be trifled with"
A few moments elapsed ere Dorothea
answered, and when she did, her tones
were so faint and tremulous that it was
quite impossible to distinguish them
"She has consented" exclaimed the other
female ; "up then, if you be a man! !'
So intense was my excitement that the
whole scene was, as it were, branded upon
my heart. The parties moved away, and
with stealthy pace I followed. A minute
after, the light was seen ascending, as if
spontaneously, the face of the cliff Its po-
sition enabled me to hit upon the steps,
which, without moments hesitation, |
began to mount. They were almost per-
pendicular- slippery and dangerous; but,
as If by instinct, my feet fixed themselves
firmly in the friendly cavities. I.quickly
gained qPep the 1Fht, ,tust whi!st felt ny
ing which works on man when he finds
almost within his grasp a deadly foe.-
Immediately above us was a narrow plat
form running round the base of the build
ing, and here overlook my rival.
My advancing footsteps induced him to
turn in surprise, and at the same instant
I rushed on him and seized him by the
throat. "Jesu Maria ~ cried he, as his
fingers convulsively sought some firm hold
upon me, "Zs 1t not time ?''
"Yes !" rejoined, cit is time" and
as the CLEAN of the lantern showed him
my features, his own expressed a mingled
feeling of exultation and horror. "In the
name Of the king" 1 pursued, "I appre-
heud you as traitor. Will you resign
yourself my prisoner ?"
~Never!" shouted he
"Thcn down with you ~ and with my
collected strength, dragged him to the
brink of the prccipice.
The Italian struggled desperately, and
We hung together for several minutes over
the abyss. A complexity of passions
nerved my arm. Personal antipathy to
the man, loyalty to my king, love of Doro-
thea, all combined to animate me but
my antagonist possessed considerable mus
cular strength, and I doubt whether the
issue would have been successful for me
had he not relaxed his hold in order to
draw a poignard. This action was fatal
to the unfortunate Rusen. had obtain
ed considerable celebrity in wrestling,
with which manly exercise we often be-
guiled wearlsome hour in garrison, and
the instant he loosed his grippe, 1 got my
foot between his, and fairly tripped him
up.
He fell heavily and headlong from the
platform upon the mass Of rocks beneath,
uttering piercing yell. I stood mo-
ment almost petri6ed; but having recov--
cred from this stupor, my next step was
to descend again the rocky stairs and dis
cover whether my victim yet lived. On
reaching the spot whereon he had fallen,
l found already there Dorothea and her
friend, bending with speechless horror
over the motionless body OF Rusen, at
whose breast the lantern still remained
suspended and unextinguished.
u care yow here, captain ?" exclaimed
Dorothea, half shriekirg; :'merciful heav-
en-, is this dream ?'' *".:''-' o@
"Let us think of it hereafter but as
one," replied I, "You, at any rate, must
have no share in this scene Of crime and
death"
She answered not, but knelt and un-
looseued the lamp from the body of Ru-
sen. "Leave me, leave me, Captain Lie
Der. l must hence, to obey the call of a
sacred duty. AS poor Rusen, alas !! no
longer lives to perform it, I must complete
his intention ~
"Dorothea p exclaimed I, "this is the
language of madness. + You are At present
strongly excited, and not able to think
fer yourself: I must therefore insist on
conducting you from this accursed spot
Come, let US begone! my duty summons
me away s .4.aq. -. eir.-... ;;
'7 "Wbat duty 2" rejoined she, firmly but
sadly.'h"You go to the means Of qbetray-
ing, perhaps to death, the ill-fated being
you have said you loved.' ~, >.~. -.