The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1868-01-09


md pushing the gold from him, he again
turned to Edgerton. He set his foot up
on the heaving bosom, and struggle,
deep and conflicting, whirled through his
brain; the sword be held with nervous
pressure, and contracting his features he
buoyed up resolution to finish his career
of tragedy. Unconscious of every thing
around = unconscious of loud voices and
hurrying footsteps below, he paused in
thoughtfu suffering. Only once in the
life of Gascomber did he pause over the
life of another, and it was now. Years
before, when crime added romance to his
daring, and his sword executed his desire.
none ever knew him to withdraw his
arm, but he did it now = the Buccaneer
of the Bahamas was an altered man :
the demon bad departed.
Austin interrupted his reverie and the
sound of his voice led him to turn round.
Forbear," he said, in an excited tone.
/" do not be guilty of his vile blood" and
thrusting himself between him and his
victim, be drew the sword gently from
hand, and crowded him back.
The citizens were mastering below; and
the arrest of the whole party was certain.
Nothing could induce Gasconber from at
once Staying the miscreant; but after a
little further hesitation. and the persua-
sious of Austin, that they were not yet
amenabe for any censure, he desisted,
and flung the door open to the crowd.
The young lieutenant, with some plaus-
ibility. recited the adventure from the
beginning, and from advices received
from the authorities, the Immediate ar
rest of Edgerton and his companions in
sured. Gascomber was held over for ex.
animation, while Austin was, by writs of
the District Court, suborned as principal
witness at the ensuing session. Both re-
tired from the scene of the encounter, the
former to the solitrry abode Of prison
house, and the latter to the society OF
strangers, to await, with anxiety, the is
sue of trial. He accompanied Gas
comber to jail, and when the time for sepa-
ration came the hardy soldier was found
unwilling to bear the sad change of so en-
.deariug friendship. He held his hand
firmly within his own, and said in under
auueS:
. shall see you again, boy, and then l
will conduct you home = to fortuoe and
n greatness = stare not, it is necessary
that you should return you must have
30 sustain another's rights there as well as
your own, and the duty incumbent upon
YOU is, that you should do it with firm
ness. Be mindful of Cammy, protect.
cherish and love her, she is yours, and
yours alone = Save her, Austin"
8 From whom?"
'~IIer father. He has done evil, and
evil is intended to you and her She
may be at this moment a bride, and may
soon be widow; remember to return,
but not alone, there is "a price set upon
you"
by whom"
BY him also, and the Iscariot is within
view. If had slew him, perhaps Cam
my would be glad, although it should
make her widow. You prevented the
deed, and he lives = he is there = EdG
erton."
As he said the last word, the individ-
nal ws conducted quickly from the apart
ment; and Austin, scarcely comprehend
ing all that he said, was Indifferent to
his presence or departure. Gascomber
continued -
The price is already paid, you are to
tie removed - Camilla married, and he
Is the executor: her dishonor is to com
peusate for your murder - her father
wills it and it may be accomplished \
hence | say return, but not alone, l shall
accompany you"
Come"
" Not now, fate wills to hide the mys-
-teries of the past, even at the present,
and | must abide the future; but | shall
go, and your : Costardo shall accompany
us. An equal destiny awaits you both.
aud shall be meted out severally -
know il.
Come" And his pale face flushed
to scarlet, and his knees trembled; his
heart was overfowing, but not with that
rising sorrow which subsidies in tears; it
was the big drop of despair that burned
molten as it curdled in his lifeblood, the
sensations of revenge and mourning.
- Come" = husky, low and ominous, as
ne repeated it.
But he was alone. Gascomber was
notioned to speak to an official, aud he
rose, not anticipating any hindrance to
return; aud, without speaking, the man
led him into an adjacent room and locked
the door. The sob of the penitent trem-
bled at his lips, and his head rested on
his hands. In the morning the dungeon
was tenantless = Gascomber was missing
{ To he continued IN oar nert.)