Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1870-02-24
gelest Story.
TIE NIGHT BEFORE THE WE'D
DING.

TIE NIGHT BEFORE TE&E W EfS-
DING.
Tn tie quaint old village Of Thyndon,
England. dwells its good old rector, a
.gidower with ono unmarried daughter :
The other lives at Mertoas End as a
happy aud adored wife. We have sonic-
thing to tell CT that fair dame; deed SO
courageous that the village has been two
or three degrees prouder Of itself ever
since it happened.
The squire Lad fallen in love With the
fair Adelaide. and the wedding day was
to be On the morrow Of that on which our
adventure happened, Great preparations
were made for the wedding and the rec
tors fine old plate, and the costly gifts Of
the bride, gwere discussed with spriae and
pleasure at the Hare and Hounds, in the
presence ofsomo strangers who bay: come
down to q priso-fght which had taken
place ip TIE neighborhOod
That night, Adelaide, Who occupied .
sensratei ,com from her sist.f, sat up
Ixte, long after all the household had
tired to rest She hs,l long interview
with her father, and lad bec,, Fsadhg., a
chapter to which he had directed hei at
.cntion, and since, had packed up he,
Jewels, &c. She vas consequently still
dressed when the church clock tolled mid
night. As it ceased size lanoied she heard
noise like that Of file she listened, but
could distinguish nothing clearly. It
might have been made by some OF etho
servants still about, or perhaps it was only
the cracking Of the old trees. House
breakers were mere myths in primitive
IlYudon, aud the bride elect, without a
thought Of fear, resumed her occupation.
She Tas gazing on glttering set Of dla-
,nonds. destined TO be worn at The Wedding,
when the bed room softly opened she
turned, looked up, and bcheld a,mau with
black mask, holding pistol in bis hand,
standing before her
She did not scream, fol. lea first though
was for her father, who slept IN the next
room, and to whom any sudden alarm
might be death, Cor he was cid. feeble and
SUFFERING from heart complaint. She con-
fsonted the robbor boldly, and addross'ng
him in whisper: You are eom0 she
aid to rob US. Spare your soul the awful
guilt Of murder Ny father sleeps next to
nv room. and to be startled from his sleep
would kill him Make no noise beg o.
you
I'VE won't make no noise, he replied
sullonly, if you give US everything quiet
Adelaide drew back and let him take
her Jewels. not without pang, for they
were precious love gifts, remarking at the
same time that two more masked rutilans
stood at the door. AS he took the jewel
and watch from the table. and demanded
her purse, she asked him if he intended
to 90 into her fathers room. She rocely-
81, surly affirmative He wasn't ago.
inc to run risk aud leave half the tin
behind p She proposed instantly that
she should 60 herself, saying l will
bring you whatever you Wish, and you
may guard me thither, and kill me If |
play false to YOU The fellow consulted
his comrades aud after short parley, they
agreed to the proposal; and with pistol
st her head. the dauntless girl crossed
tse MASSAGE. and entered the old rector
room. Very gently she atole across the
chamber, and removing bis purse, Keys
and watch, gave them to the robbers VINO
stood ct the door. The old man slept
peacefully and calmly, thus guarded BY his
child, who softly shut the doer, and de"
maudsd if the robbers were yet satisfied.
The leader replied, they should be when
they had got thc-show OF plate spread cut
below, but that they couldn't let her out
Of SIGHT aud that she aust go with theil-
In compliance with this mandate she fol-
lowed them down to the dining room,
whore a splendid wedding breakfast had
been laid. to save trouble and hurry on the
morrow. 10 her surprise, tho fellows
eight in number were assembsed-seated
themselves. and prepared to make good
meal. they ordered her to get them oas
wine and to cut her own wedding cake
for them and then seated at the head Of
the table she was compelled to pfeside az
this extraordinary reyei.
lney ate, drama,
and Adelaide, quick Of eye aud car had
thus time to study, in her quiet way, the
figures and voices Of the whole set
When the repast was ended, and the
plate transferred 10 sack, they prepared
to depart, whispering together, and gianc-
ing at the young lady. for the hrss 'ia u,
Adclaiae'a courage gave way, and she
,lf.tfsr .st
'trembled; bat it was not e ,oi
against her, as it proved. The leader
approaching her, told her that they did not
wish % harm hor-that she was Jolly
rench, regular gaine,' and they v0ul 'l:a.l
hurt her, but she must swear not u. g1sc
an aIarla till nine or ten the next DAY
when they should be of al safe. 10 l'Iis
sha was q course obliged 70 assent ana