The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1868-01-02
For the JeffersoniaR.
THE UNION VOLUNTEER.
BY II. LANGFORD.
CHAPTER X.
T He STIvAL.


they, with tears (whose mingled current
led to JOY aud reconciliation, spoke to
each other again, experienced the weight
OF human misery, which, by the interpo-
sition of the old soldier had been avoided,
and promised instead prospect of affec-
ton, unparalleled in the great interchange
Of domestic life. To each a new field of
enterprise was open, calculated to repay
their long debt of jealousy with fond
and full requittal, and to compromise by
a joint reciprocity, their interest and well
doing. Austin, with some degree of
warmth, clasped Costardos hand, and re.
joining their companions, proceeded di-
rectiy to their quarters.
Their first business on returning was to
wait upon their benefactor, and elicit
from him more satisfactory information
divulged to them; besides, to find out par
ticulars relative to himself, and, in con-
clusiou, if all he said was true, to culti-
vate with ardor his personal acquaintance.
Satisfied beyond doubt of his sincerity in
the interruption of the duel, both deter
mined to see him privately, and learn of
him the cause of his being present.
They repaired thither in high spirits,
only to be disappointed - the mysterious
stranger had decamped, leaving no trace
as to where he might be found. The
blow was cruel one, aud only served to
render both disconsolate, and suffering
under suspense, such as cooled down in
some measure their first manifestations of
joy. To Austin the disappointment was
maddening, as he long cherished in his
bosom certain but unaccountable conclu-
sions as to Camilla and had he now the
advantage of seeing her, he would proba-
bly, have fixed in his mind that all his
conclusions were true. Collectively, their
ideas of each other were one, and each
clung with tenacity to their soul cherish
ing dreams. A certain amount of indis-
posed candor was always the peculiar
feauture predominatins when he rambled
with her in their retired meetings; and
this he treasured in his bosom, lest his
lips should betray the notions he had con-
ceived respecting her. What if his love
should at any time induce him to declare
his thoughts? what, if after all, they
were delusive, and only served to ensnare
him in their unforeseen treachery. Were
he at home his hours would be devoted
in her society, and given to the secret
progress of affection by the lake or wood
land; but now far away, he cautiously re-
viewed his own conduct, and concluded
that his circumstance was providential.
He loved Camilla - wandered with her
secretly and alone; and with these circum-
stantial evidences. which he conjured up
respecting her, he thought = and if in
their continuance he should err - then
he shuddered, and a prayer was at his
lips.
Three months passed away. To Aus
tin it was period of anxiety aud doubt =
the decamped soldier had not been heard
from during that time except on one
occasion, aud then it involved more mys-
terry than was thought to be necessary.
One evening he was retiring to his quar-
ters, when an elderly man tapped him
upon the shoulder as he passed alang.
He turned and interrogated the stranger as
to his business, when the other drew from
his pocket letter, and as he placed it in
his hand said -
?" Lieutenant Cameon | presumed"
" The same" And he broke the seal
and read. 1t ran thus: -
"Take heed, there are those near you
who seek your life, or the custody of your
person. Venture not abroad, day or night,
whether in company or not. The friend
who interrupted the duel between you and
your -, speaks to you again. Be warned
in time - Venture not abroad.
"(Signed) A GUILTY FRIEND"
He turned to accost the stranger but
be was gone, and being left alone, be ru-
minated upon the warning he had just
received. 1t evidently appeared from
the whole circumstance, that the commu-
nication was true, else why not the straDg-
er come forward, and disclose more fully
the purport of his intentions, and also
vindicate his conduct, a. to his desiring
him and his cousin to see him in his
quarters, and remove the doubt which
necessarily remained by the half finished
revelation which he detailed on the morn
ing of the encounter?
But as he foresaw the truth come, and
Austin, with regret, found out that MS
sufferings were proportiouable to his in
difference. About month after his no.
gro companion and attendant was missing,
and no tidiugs of her could be found.
Search was made and diligent inquiry
entered into; but all was fruitless, and
Austin fully Satisfied that some mysteri-
GUS agency was working. For time he
cautiously avoided going out except when
duty compelled him, but, finally, his Wig
ilance became troublesome, and be fell
easily into the snare SO cunningly devised
for his enthrallment.
It was feast day. - The town pre-
sented an unsual degree of hustle, and
the army situated round the vicinity were
allowed general parole. ln the evening
several officers assembled in Spe OF the