The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1868-03-16

cuard on NV hill, peFCo.'S" 80
was once more in the garueh' onG ~
peared clad to see me, and motionea ine
down to the foot Of the bill again, ano
when 7 was there tossed me over another
letter:
II cannot fully trust you till 1 have
scanned your features more fully. S"lH
the moat and scale the battlemcnts, SO We
can converse at ease"
What did she mean by the moatf was
1t playful allusion to the quantity o
rain that had fallen? Or was she merel!
indulging in a poetical license =? lei
all this for future consideration
The battlements were undoubtedly Tue
wall, and her meaning was plain Tor ILL.,
mediate enterprise. ;od
81 come, fair lady, come" l ctleo'
looking about for good climbing s.;u
ton. But the wall had been ne"iy-pa,;a'
ed. and there were no cracks or c'ann
into which fingers or boots could Dc lnsln,
noted smooth surface was presenlou
70 ma. nm which cat might possloly na'o
run tboush | doubt it, but before WHICH, .
10 ,,1nss Creature was helpless. -.
20 mnS now we'll provided with Wrlting
,o.o VOL and ! explained my difficulty on
n ,nIt1l e ,i, note paper, promising, howev-
soit ~ ust over it, and up the wall the next
7ar " or nerish in the attempt; though now
either alternative was to be accomplished
7 conld not for the life of me imagine.
Rnt the night brought counsel; and on
the following morning procured seVera,
large nails, or staples, and q maileL anu
CONC to the place earlier than usual ana :1I
FIRST asccrtaining from my post on rhe nili,
edo that the coast was clear, proceedeo
~ drive a nail into the mortar at ABOUT
tIrea, feet from the ground, another higher
wa ord then. standing on the lowest, ana
h ~ on to the other with my left hand,
hnocied the third in still higher and so,
after many tumbles and abrasions OF the
skin. 7 contrived q series Of points OF al
vontaqe. which enabled me to scramble
hich enough 10 catch hold of the top OF
the wall, and then 7 was all right, for there
were no broken bottles along the coping.
The task completed, dropped to the
ground and ran up the hill to the post OF
observation, and there l sat till the lady
made her appearance then l waved my
hat in triumph, rushed down, sprang up
the wall. and seated myself on the top OF
il Beneath me stood the object OF my
affections. SO close that could scan her
features. catch her faintest sigh. That
was a great trial. for had let my lmagl-
nation take the bit between its teeth upon
the subject of her charms, and c coarse
complexion, irregular teeth, or large cars,
would have disenchanted me. But she
really was remarkably handsome girl,
with sort of anxious, distressed look I'D
her eyes, which appealed strongly TO the
sympathies. There was certain eccen-
trio, tragedy-way with her, which ordinary
worldlings might take exceptions at, but
which only served TO draw my chains the
tighter. ,os
razed on me in silence for somewhat en-
barrassing minute. SHOW turn your face
sideways; tbs again well. Your features
recommend you, but they are somewhat
deceitful. Can l really, truly trust you ~
"Loyeliest aud dearest, you can," ! re-
piled from the top Of the wall. B" l will lay
down my life to serve YOU"
"Iaccept," she said in solemn tones,
which gave me rather a thrill. One does
not expect ones words to be taken up IN
that literal way.
81 had sooner live for you," l fastened
to add "and take this opportunity of apol-
ogizing to the spirit of tho original utterer
of that Joke for the theft"
aThanks, thanks" she explained. "And
what will you do for me? How prove
that devotion which / doubt not ~
II was more convenient for youth
under age, entirely destitute both OF re-
sources and experience, and situated IN a
prccarious position on the top of wall, to
deal in generalities, than to propose any
definite course of action. l was puzzled
for moment, but suddenly remembered
with relief that | was in complete igno-
rance as to who she was and what she
wanted, and that it was only reasonable
that the direction Which my chivalrous
path was to lie should be pointed out BY
her.
"Truc," said she, when I mentioned
this fact. 81 must trust you with my
sad secret. Know, then, that l am moi
what seem. Doubtless you take me for
an English woman, for speak your tongue
with fluency and correctness; but no;
am a Russian princess. A cruel and wick
ed cousin coveted my estates, to which III
was the next heir. He sought to acquire
them by the lawful means of marriage, Du
being q man of ungovernable temper, N
one day had q serf knouted to death be
fore nv eyes; aud I loathed and dreaded
! him. The sting of outraged vanity wa
then added to his cupidity, and ne deter
mined to dispossess me. But was faVo
rite with the Gar, the Czarina, and al
the royal family and while Remained
in Russia + was safe. But a sad infatua
lion tempted me to travel and the mo
ment touched these hospitable shores
was seized and hurried to this place, wher
I have been incarcerated ever since
Doubtless, my villainous relative ha
spread the report of my death, and i
I souandering my property on his minions.
"But," cried I, with an enthusiasm
which nearly made me lose my balance
"the matter is simple. | will go to tn
nearest magistrate ; l will seek the aid O
the polico-I will
/ "Pray-pray, do nothing of the kind {?
she exclaimed with alarm. My enem
is connected by the strongest ties wit
your prime minister, and the Chief @
your police is in his power. One word t.
the authorities, and my cause is lost for
ever! No; flight is my only resource
Aid my escape; fly with me; bring M
to my native land, and am saved. Eter
nal gratitude and countless treasures shal
be yours"
''And may not presume to highe
reward2 I asked.
"What mean you ?" she replied, bash
fully.
81 fear lest my temerity should otlen'
you," said l "but love is ever presump