The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1867-11-28
CHAPTER III.
THE UNTER.

II ID 4 ~ y " y ~ r IT.
1t is not so, dearest, your words can
adduce nothing TO erase from my heart
the deepest insult of my life To be
called a traitor, coward and dissembler is
more than | can bear; you, out of your
divine love for me as your brother, can
not believe such accusations to be true
but then the world, these of our connec-
tion, our friends, what will they say?"
and Austin, in humiliation, looked in Ca
millia's face for a reply.
" 1t is" she rejoined. "They cannot
force you into engagements to which
you are not reconciled, or will not Cos
tardo is no example for you to follow, as
his chief success in life depends wholly
on the issue of the war. Take caution,
and be not easily led into this excitement.
To draw a sword in defence of the Union
would be indeed glorious, and happy will
[ feel when | hear that you have espops-
ed and acted in the right course For
myself | care not, although father will
fulfill his threats this evening. Your
sense Of right shall console me under his
most dreadful frown, and that you are
safe and far away from his designing
hand, | can rest in hope till victory
crowns your return. Go, Austin, go, and
defend your country's rights in the hour
of her need, and will pray for the sue
cess Of your armw
And the heroic girl blushed deeper as
she, with earnest voice, directed his wan
dering thoughts. His bosom swelled
with admiration at her stern and decis-
i've manner, and, after a short pause, said
in low and emphatic tones:
will go then, Camilla, but know
that my life shall be the penalty. L
shall be accounted traitor to my coun-
try, but will act for the best By your
persuasion | will espouse the cause of the
Union and labor at the risk of my life for
its triumph. You shall be my talisman
when at the canon's mouth, and your
prayers the security that shall ensure my
return. Good-by, dearest one on earth,
till l shall again clasp you in my arms
and thank you with pure and devoted
love = till | shall hear the story of your
sufferings, which l know will be affect
ing and atone for them by fond and
never-dying sympathy"
Ha, ha, eh renegade, a love affair [
see," uttered sharp, piercing voice al
most in their very ears: $50 you will go,
will you? Be a general l suppose, a
Yankee freebooter, with something of the
romance of the knight. You and your
lady-love are quite characters, what a
lady Gracew then assumed serious
and angry tone; mark me, little dissem-
bier, l have cautioned you against such
meetings = and you, my would-b be son,
remember that before you should brand
the name of Cameon with the stigma of
traitor, would here, upon this spot
where you stand, open your veins till
your blood should expiate the wrong you
intended Beware, and while time serves
deliberate; root out that false idea of
honor which disgraces the name you
bear. Remember that Cameon signifies
Soldier, Citizen, Roman, and remember,
also, how you trife with i"
Gonsalvo finished his excited appeal
almost choked with rage. Camilla sank
breathless into Austin's bosom, while the
latter remained cool and self possessed. -
For a moment the deranged parent re-
garded them, and continued =
Boy = | will allow you one hour to
consider, and with it more information
which may help to curb your stubborn
and ill-natured heart Ifyou are my son,
| will call you traitor, liar and rogue =
Whether you are my son or not, you are
these; they are your Inheritance, the
legacies of mean ancestry endowed upon
you. Again, you are none of mine; but
| possess power over you which shall
make you regret the day you insulted the
name of Cameon. One hour = REMEM-
BERW
"One year and it's too late," indig-
nantly CALCULATED Austin, !" too late," he
repeated with frmness, " and if my name
is to dictate TO my conscience the career of
evil, hold it with scorn, and bequeath
its heritage to the meanest slave. No,
father, l will choose between the right
and the wrong independently of my own
name, and consult my own judgmen. in
things that concern my peace in prefer
ence to yours. You may divine the most
proper course for me to adopt, but thank
you, | have understanding myself"
Beware! Bewarew Aud Gonsalvo
trembled
81 fear nothing, will choose the right,
the Union, the =" And Austin's blade
flashed bright from his scabbard, to parry
the blow directed by his father.
The old man was disarmed.
Murder! Murderw and the wierd cry
rose shrill apd piercing upon the hight air.