Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1868-02-27


her father renewed his efforts in Lamotte's behalf
until, finding his e1ertions not only fruitess, but
actually tending tostrengthen and establish EGan's
objections, he changed his tactics and commenced
the use of threats, much to the dismay and alarm
of his now terrified daughter.
So long as argument and expostulation ruled the
Lillian had nothing to fear but now,
when threats of compulsion came so passionately
from the lips of one, whom she felt wellassured,
meant exactly what he said, her poor heart reeled
and staggered from the position she had held 30
long, and, bursting into tears, quietly left the
room. 't
The next morning q -note was placed upon the
waiter, upon which Lilian's breakfast was carried
to her chamber. Opening the note, she read, in
her fathers well known hand: "-.
"LILIAN-I propose making one more attempt
to wean you from your folly, before resorting to
harsher measures. perceive by the morning pa
pers, that Edward Walton has been court martial
ed, and found guilty of desertion. Heis condemn
ed to be shot to death with musketry abouta week
hence. The sentence has been approved, and will
most assuredy be carried out, unless you interpose
to prevent it. .f
Become Mrs. Lamotte, before the day of execu-
tion-and Walton shall be saved Refuse
you seal his doom! Your Father,
CHARLTON LEE"
With an admirable presence of mind, and an ef-
fort of secontrol equal to the occasion, she sci ed
pen lying upon the table, and, with steady hand
wrote upon the back of the note, "a respectful
refusal" Commanding the servant to hand it in
stantly to her father, she locked the door; and
falling upon her knees beside her bed, gave free
vent to her emotion in wild, long wall of agony
and passionate flow of tears. .......
What was to be done2 Where was the path of
duty under circumstances of thischaracter2 What
would Walton adviser Would not the poor, per-
secuted man prefer the execution of the cruel SEN
tence than live to behold her the bride of his bit
terest enemy? Was existence worth price like
this? ..... ...r
Such were the questions, that came thronging
upon her mind, as she arose from her knees and
stood thoughtfuIy beside the open window. Had
not her thoughts been monopolized with the ter
rible responsibility resting upon herself her atten
ton would certainly have been arrested by certain
peculiar motions of soldier acrossthe street She
was turning to leave the window, when the soldier
caught up pebble and threw it against the sash.
Looking inquiringly out, she noticed, for the first
time, that he was endeayoring tocal her attention
to bit of white paper, which he held in his hand
Lillian Immediately went down stairs, and out into
the garden, when the soldier crossed the street,
threw the paper through the iron railing; and,
pausing moment to satisfy himself that it had
fallen into proper hands, walked rapidly away.
The paper-which had been folded into d.
minutive size-contained communication which
ran Us follows: ..-..-. ...-..,.r.. -. .....
t'MY OWN Lillian: - -----------
General Stanton's regiment having been ordered
to Virginia, thought it might afford you some de-
gree of consolation to know, that after this week,
the unnatural prosecutions of your fatherwil cease
for awhile, and Captain Lamottes presumption
come to an end In the meantime, consent to save
me, even at the (apparent) sacrifice of yourself;
and all may yet be well. Lamotte and your father
have visited me twice, during the week. They as
sure me, that, they can save me from the terrible
fate awaiting me, if l only succeed in inau-
encing you to become the bride of the Captain,
three or four days from now. Once you consent,
they agree to set me at liberty. They have salts.
fed me- that they will faithfully redeem the prom.
ise, if you yield to their wishes in this matter
Captain Lamotte is necessarily obliged to leave
with his regiment on next Thursday evening al
nine o'clock.
Yours Hopefully,
EDWARD WALTON"
Lillian read the letter again and again. Its con.
tents were evidently meant to leave the impression
upon her mind, that her consent to Lamotte's
proposition would further the interests of the wri
ter as well as her own. 1t was very hard for the
poor girl to understand how that could be. She
never, for one moment, suspected deception The
reader will probably see, at once, that the letter
was forgery. 1t was concocted by Captain La
motte, with the sanction of Major Lee, they be,
lieving that in Lilian's frame of mind, she would
agree to anything that held out the remotest hope
of her lovers release. The gigantic deception was
successful more so indeed, than either the Ma,
jor or Lamotte had ever expected. Lillian accepted
the Captains offer Of marriage.
Thursday evening came at last; and Lillian, in
her bridal attire, entered the church, accompanied
by Captain Lamotte and a host of friends. 1t was
observed by many, that the bride was deathly pale
that she turned at the altar, and gazed hurriedy,
but anxiously about the church.
The ceremony began; but Lillian appeared utter:
II unconscious of what was taking place, until q
reused by the question. 'sWilt thou take this
man to be thy welded husband?" Then, she
started and sobserved to tremble violently from
head to foot. Turning deliberately around, hel
eyes gave another rapid glance around the church,
and, utteringa suppressed exclamation Of despair,
she clutched wildly at the altar railing 10 support
her sinking form.
The clergyman hesitated moment and looked
wonderingly towards the pew occupied by the Ma
jor and his family then, in loud voice, continued,
''Then, pronounce you man and -" The SEN
tence was interrupted by strange sound, like some
heavy. body rushing through the air. and rapidly
approaching the building. Amoment after, ter
rife crash; an indescribabe and confused noise Of
broken glass. falling bricks and plaisterng ending
in an explosion, which shook the church to its very
foundations, extinguishing the lights and creating
the greatest panic and alarm.
"Oh my God!' exclaimed a voice near the al
tar in tones of indescrible agony and despair.
The majority Of the congregation Immediately y
fled; but a few stout hearted veterans renamed,
and these procured lights and rushed to the altar
to ascertain the cause of that shrek Of agony and
to render what assistance was necessary under the
circumstances. The glare Of their lamps fell upor
the ghastly face of Captain Lamotte, who lay rigie
in death beside the altar. His throat and ches
were horribly mangled and he was literally covered
with blood. Lillian lay beside him, in swoon
her bridal attire bedabbed and wet with the heart