The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1867-12-19

hCie, Cdmuy, that VIII 40, l. dLl
going to love you again, and only hope
that you will forget the past, and conform
to your duties faithfully, do you hear?"
"Yes."
"And what do yon say? Can you
love me always?"
cannot"
Come, come, girl, this is trifing and
silly, dry your tears. There. Now lis
ten, and remember every word that 1
read, and then, perhaps -" And as
he broke off he drew from his pocket a
erimpled, greasy letter, and read aloud:-
"DEAR UNCLE,-I hasten to communi-
cate that which | know will be most agree
able to you the whereabouts of your son.
Austin is here with me. He is Lieutenant
in the Seventy-third = InfaDtry = Pennsyl-
vania. am a prisoner here got wounded
and taken. Austin and the North are VIC
tors, but no matter, we shall, in a few days,
recoDnoiter Washington. and, perhaps, de-
eide the struggle Austin is ignorant ofmy
being here up to this, but expect nothing
good at bis hand. Remember my devotion
TO Camilla, and give my love to her. Send
by the bearer - Gordonsvllle, Va.
"CosTARDo."
He handed her the letter as he finish
ed, and watched her as she eagerly pc
rused the above, and returning it bent
softly to her pillow and prayed. A few
moments passed and abstractedly did her
mind wander away from the things of
the present He took her hand again
and said -
You will be glad as ever I know
you will, child, and love me more for the
tears have caused you. Costardo is a
brave young gentleman, and in love with
you, think of that" and he smoothed her
fine raven tresses as he spoke, and looked
with smile into her face.
But she only thought of her brother,
and needed not his words; her mind was
with him, and was comforted to such a
degree as to bring on a weakness which
he supposed arose from the impression
/ that she was in love with CostMdo. He
spoke AGAIN.
! He is - but no, that is, Austin |
mean = he is coming to US again. Do
you hear? And he is to be present at
your marriage, and give you away-don't
start, am sure you are old enough now
to have husband; aud besides the man
whom have selected is immensely rich,
and highly accomplished. Do you think
you could be prepared in a week."
This new turn of conversation threw
Camilla into utter astoDishment, and in
a few seconds she answered with some
irmness:
'' will not marry, father, at the pres
ent, and when am SO inclined | shall
seek out my husband, and fix nay own
time: then if you are willing | shall mar
ry."
Hold, girl, be careful and consider, I
have arranged sbe matter to my liking,
and you must not rebel, or thwart my
purposes to tell YOU
His mask of villiany was now almost
laid aside. Some wicked exchange was
about to be made, and Camilla under
stood at once that price was upon her
head With this foresight she armed
herself against her barterer, and turned
indignantly from his frown towards the
window. He drew her again to his side
with little violence.
+" Be seated, girl, and listen to me" he
said. 81 have considered the matter
over, and you must be satisfied. On next
Thursday remember, be prepared. L
shall hear no more"
| And he arose and left the apartment in
anger; and she sank slowly to the ground
and prayed. She wa. prepared now, and
she determined to let the week pass as
she did others in her drear captivity. =
Suddenly the door grated again upon its
hinges, and Gonsalvo entered in company
with middle aged man, habited in mill
tary uniform, aud a sword dangling by
his side. He advanced respectively to
the center of the room, and courtesied to
Camilla, who, affrighted and amazed,
shrank from his scrutiny, and turned
away Her father drew her to him
again, and introduced the stranger as Mr..
Silas Edgerton.