Clarksville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1865-1867, 1867-02-22

/ guards were stationed; beyond it was large
hall lighted by an opening in the stone
! roof Passing from this by door opposite
the entrance, Edgar with his captors, enter
ed a chamber lighted by wax candles where
was an old man, of most majestic ASPECT, re-
clining on acouch. His white hair and beard
sweep bis shoulders and breast and blue
robe enveloped his still vigorous FORM
Here the beautiful Welsh leader, turning to
Edgar, said
"Ths is my father, the last Of the Welsh
Bards," and disappeared through a door.
| The old man received Edgar with dignity
ard courtesy, and the young officer learnt
nom him that, prevented by wound from
leading Of the Welsh himself, be had feluct-
antiy consented that Thalasa, (for so he cail-
ed the YOUTH should do so, provided David,
the giant, should act rs a body guard
When supper was announced, Thalasa ap-
peared clad in elegant female attire. Never
had Edgar seen loveliness so exquisite the
grace Of her manner. and convtrs ,tion equal
ed that OF her person, and in her society he
felt pleasure never before experienced
Early in the evening of the second day of
his captivity David entered the apartment
where the young Englshman was sitting
|
something hastily TO the Bard. Thalasa sud
denly became very pale, pressing her hand
on her heart, seemed to breathe with diff
Guilty. After exchanging few words with
David, the old man turned to Edgar and
said: ,; .-- tt. 49,.
Esteem it no discourtesy, Sir knight, if
we ask thee to leave us awhile"
The young officer retired at once to his
apartment seated himself on the side of his
couch, and remained long time absorbed in
deep and painful thought. His light expired
and left him in total darkness. Soon his at
tention was aroused by the tramp of many
feet in the large hall, and presently O voice,
which he thought that of the Bard, seemed
for time earnestly TO expostulate and per-
suade. 1t ceased, and after short silence,
commenced speaking, deliberately at first,
then swaying aud surging like a-torrent
which breaks or bends all before it. Again
all was silence, suddenly broken by wild
fierce shout, repeated three times, and the
tramping feet left the hall. Wondering but
unable to conjecture the meaning of what
he had heard, Edgar lay down and fell into
a troubled sleep, from which he was awak-
ened by small hand laid lightly on his
arm. At the same time he heard Thalasa's
voice telling bin TO make no noise; adding !:
| al have brought thee Welsh costume ;
| put it on, and join me soon as possible in
the hall. In few moments be stepped from
his chamber, and Thalasa noislessly led him
to another part of the hall, placed him near
the wall, between which and himself she
took her station. Almost Immediately the
floor beneath them began TO descend she
held him firmly by the arm, aud when after
a few seconds the descending floor rested,
Of the floor on which they stood resumed its
place. .' Fr" ~ - -'- Hs-
| "Now we are safe" said she, with sigh
Of relief, and in a voice which betrayed the
great excitement under which she had acted,
aud which she had till then concealed. She
struck light. al1
awe are now in the subterranean pas
sage" she continued, " from which thou
canst emerge from the side of the noun
tain nearest the English cape. BY sunrise
thou wilt be beyond pursuit--at which hour
tspite of the commands and entreaties of my
father, thou vert to have suffered the most
cruel and ignominous death, in retaliation
for the many wrongs and cruelties inflicted
on our people. Here is food which will sup
ply thy wants. .r1... s IL. I'D
| "But," said Edgar, "my escape will be
known, and how canst thou avoid the fury
of thy people2"
al shall tell them all; they will not
harm me; the persons of the Bards and
their families are sacred"
"Yet how canst thou return from this
passage2'
| She led him forward few steps. ''Thou
seest this iron door, and this small knob in
the rough stone; If press this small knob
the door swings, and admits me to another
passage, which leads to my own apartment
by second door, opening also by means of
secret spring. Now go for the time is
precious, and the saints preserve the"
| Edgar bent his knee, and took her hand,
which was not allowed to rest quietly, nor
yet withdrawn; rs he bent his head two
heavy tears fell upon it.
"Twice | owe thee my life,' said he,
"henceforth it is thine, here solemnly ded-
icate il to thee; all its love, ell its hopes
come with me, use it for thy service, and so
make it blessed. Be my wife share my,ti.
ties, honors and riches. never 10 sed until
| saw thee, and seeing thee loved at once
and forever. | cannot tell the greatness OF
my loEei come and will prove it TO thee
while we both shall live." ...- ,..
Thalasa trembled violently, and for some
minutes did not speak. Her face wa, con-
cealed by the folds Of her mantle AT leugt b
she said, 10 voice scarcely audible: .r
81 cannot; / cannot" s..
And Edgar heard sob. He sprang to his
feet.
"Thou lowest me-say thou dost." And
he folded her unresistipgy, tenderly 10 his
breast; and as her head rested on his shoul-
der long kiss sealed the pledge of their
two hearts.
sand thou wilt come with mel"
~ cannot--not now--not so. cannot
leave my poor old father--not thus thou
must go. The dawn. can already be seen
lglimmering through the mouth Of the cav
ern; go now-thou must not kiss me SOL
therel-thou must go; yes, love thee -
will always love thee farewell
Edgar held her in his arms, whle he promis.
ed soon TO come and claim her as his wife !;
bade her farewell and was gone. tr'l'
Immediately on his arrival at the English
camp he learned that strong body of men
had set out the day before TO revenge the
defeat suffered by his force. With all the
speed that anxious, terrified love could leu d.
he FASTENED back to the mountains. Sounds
OF conflict greeted his ears fiom the summit,
and he could see the battle raging fercely
there. He entered the cavern by which he
had escaped, struck a light, found the secret
door, pressed the kaob, passed through and
hurried on. His progress was arrested by
another door. He could find no way TO open
it. He knocked no response. He knock
ed again no sound. lie knocked louder
and longer; silence, silence every where
In fever of impotence he drew his sword,
and with the hilt beat upon the door violent
| ly, aud at random. Suddenly II few open ;