, 1863-12-19

repelling his fierce assaults, he almost forgot
the charm which rendered his body invul-
nerable. They fought long and desperately,
when one of the Followers of SOULS, sud
denly and unobserved, thrusting his spear
into the side of Sir Walters horse, it reared
stumbled, and fell, and brought him to the
ground. 4.. .....-.
"An arrow-schotw* exclaimed SOULS :;
wherefore, boy, didst thou presume to con-
tend with mey" And suddenly springing
from his horse, he pressed his iron heel upon
the breast of his foe, and turning also the
point Of his SWORD tVwdrJss his tiuro;Iis---
"ThOn shalt not lie yet" said he; and
turning to the three attendants who had not
followed in the pursuit, he added Hither
bind him fast and sure" Then did the
three hold him on the ground, and bind his
hands and his feet, while SOULS held his
naked sword over him.
Coward and wizard!' exclaimed Walter,
as they dragged him within the gate, aye
shall rue this foul treachery."
ella! ha! vain, boasting boyw returned
SOULS, "thou indeed shalt rue thy reckless
ness"
He caused his vassals to bear Walter into
the strong chamber where fair Marion was
confined, and, grasping him by the neck,
while he held his sword to his breast. he
dragged him towards her and said, sternly
"Consent thee now, maiden, to be mine, and
the boy shall live; refuse, and his head shall
roll before thee on the floor as plaything."
Monster" she exclaimed and screamed
aloud, "would ye harm my Walter!"
"Ha! my Marionv cried Walter, strug-
Cling to be free. And, turning his eyes
tiercely upon SOULS, "Destroy me, fend p
he added, "but harm not her"
"Think on it, maiden" cried the sorcer-
er, raising his sword; "the life Of thy bapny
bridegroom hangs upon thy word. But ye
shall have until midnight 10 reflect ON it.
Be mine, then, and harm shall not come
upon him or thee; but a man shall be thy
husband, and not the boy whom he hath
brought to thee in bonds"
"Deshrew thee, vile sorcerer!" rejOined
Walter, "were my, hands unbound, and un-
armed as am, would force my way from
thy prison in spite Of thee and thine"
SOULS laughed sccrnfully, and again said
Think on il, fair Marion"
Then did he drag her betrothed BRIDE
groom to corner Of the chamber, and or
dering chain to be brought, iettered him
against the wall; in the same manner he
fastened her TO the opposite side Of the
apartment; but the chains with which he
bound her were mag 0f silver
When they were fftalone, Mourn not,
sweet Mari66," /" said N aliNr, z aad think not
Of saving me. Befoif tomorrow our friends
will be here 10 thy rescue; and, though l
fall victim to the vengeance Of the sOr-
cerer, still let me be the bridegroom Of thy
memory" Marion wcbt bitterly, and said
that she would die with iihn.
Throughout the day, the spirit Of Lord
Souls was troubled, and the fear of coming
evil sat heavy on his. heart He wandered
to and fro on the battlements of his castle,
anxiOusly looking for the approach of his
retainers, who had followed in pursuit of
the followers Of Bnnxholm's heir. But
the sun set, and the twilight drew on, and
still they came not; and il was drawing to-
wards midnight when q solitary horseinan
spurred his jaded steed towards the castle
gate. SOULS admitted him with his own
hand into the court-yard; and, ere the rider
had dismounted, he inquired of him hastily,
and in tone Of apprehension
"Whcrc be thy fellows, knaye! and why
come alOnog" l t.,..r.r
"Pardon me, my lord, = said the hOrseman,
faltcringly, as he disniOunted; "thy faith
full bondsman is the bearer Of evil tidings."
evil! slave" exclaimed SOULS, striking
him as he spoke speak We Of evil to inc
What Of itl where are thy fellows!"
The man trembled, and added: " In pur-
suing the followers Of Branxholm, they
sought refuge in the wilds Of Tarras, and,
being ignorant Of the winding paths through
its bOttomless mOrass, horses and men have
been buried in it; they who sank not fell
beneath the swords Of those they had pur-
sued, and only have escaped"
Sand wherefore did 20 escape, knaye y
cried the fierce sorcerer; why did ye live
to remind me Of the shame Of the house Of
Souls! 7" And, as he spoke, he struck the
trembling man again.
He hurried to the haunted dungeon, and
again performed his incantations, with i'm
patience in his manner and fury in his looks.
Thrice he violently siraclr the chest, and
thrice he exclaimed, impetuously--
esprit come forth arise and speak
with me y
The lid was lifted up, aud deep and
angry voice said
/" Mortal wherefore hast thou summoned