The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1870-08-19
BARBARA cLAxToN.s LOVE.

rebellion against the monarch and hi
valiant son, the Prince of Wales, tha
our tale opens.
The scene was n beautiful, pictur
esque part of the country in Berk
shire; and the charming Barbara Clax
ton-the dreaming, enthusiastic chile
of genius-sat beside her lonely cot
tage door, watching the shadows deep
en- and darken as twilight approach
ed. Her reveries were disturbed
by stranger appearing in breathless
haste. -
Hide me. damsel." no said, "fol
tho love of heaveni Quiek-my foes
are approaching ]!
| For an instant Barbara scanned the
noble features and well-knit form oil
the supplicant.
Follow me-" she replied. "there is
but one place wherein there is the
least vestige of security"
And she led him into tho cottage,
into an inner room, where prostrated
on bed of pain. lay an aged lady.
81 will lift up my grandmother.
she said, hurriedly; "and you must
get between the beds underne tn her.
IT will be very warm, but the only safe
place. lido not think they will dis
turb her"
He did as he was ordered /: the bed
was spread down. and tho old lady lay
back on her pillow, unconscious OF
the scene which had just occurred
Barbara fastened back to the door, and
sat down in her old place.
A moment later, n party of horse
men approached. They stopped; and
the leader with critical eye upon the
lovely maiden before him.
Surround the cottage. my men. u
he ordered: ''and il he is here, We
will soon unearth him. Now my
dreaming lassie, addressing himself
to the girD have you seen anything oi
stray ?"
She looked up shily, the color huc-
tuating on her cheek, rs she returned
"A stray, sir?" in meek tones. mo
sane man would stray hither"
But he must be somewhere near
here and by your permission, rose
bud, / will search your house." he OBJ
served.
, 20. - vii only, please, sir, TO re-
quest your men To cease tIeir noise. -
My poor grandmother is sick aud dy-
ing"
The officers heart, though stained
by guilt and bloodsled. was tender
where youth and beanty were the sup
plants. He ordered his men to be
quiet; and then entered with the
trembling Barbara, who, though try
ing outward to appear calm and un-
concerned. was inwardly thrilling
with apprehension. What if he should
find the fugitive? She knew o. " toe
well the bloodthirs.y ruflians would
instantly kill her on the spot, or per.
haps reserve her for fate worse than
death!
When he entered, the officer cast II
quick, searching glance around him.
There were but the two rooms to the
cottage, and he could see through the
loose boards above that no one was
hidden in the loft.
"Will you have draught of ale,
sir?" sc asked, pouring some of the
fermented beverage into a pewter
mug.
He took it eagerly, and quaffed it
and then passed into the inner room.
The old grandame was mu;tering de
lirionsly, having been aroused by the
strange noises outside. He went over
to her, looked at her for an instant
and then said, "she'll be dead pretty
soon and you'll have to come to me
pretty lass"
Barbara bowed low.
"You are too kind, sir, to one SC
humble" she said.
"Give me kiss, my lass," he ex.
claimed, his rude eyes rivited upon
her; " for l must hurry from here
before that wretch gets too far in ad.
vance,"
She drew back quickly, the hot blood
crimsoning her face and neck.
"fJo, no !" she cried, "no, sir p'
But Re hurried after her.
'.I will MOI be put aside by n pretty
one have no time to fool. You are
only too coy" and he grasped the
struggling maiden in his arms, and
kissed her over and over, despite hei
violent resistance.
"I will come again another day, my
pressssT sweetheart" he laughed as he
released her, Ssccd passed eent
Trembling with shame and indig.
nation, she stood where he had left
her until she heard the retreating clat.
ter of the horses hoofs. Rousing her.
self, she went to the door, and found
there was no one in sight; she then re-
turned to the room, closing the outel
door behind her, raised the invalid
and allowed the stranger to escape
from his prison.
"My poor GIRL" (and his face flush
ed, 81 know not what to say" as hi
eyes fell on her crimsoned, tear-stain
ed countenance. 'You have saved m,
life, and I was powerless to protect yo,
from insult. You shall worthily b,
repaid by-the one whom you hav,
rescued, when better days come"
He pitied her agitation, he sympa
thized with the beautiful, heroic mai
den; and feeling deeper than he hae
ever known for any living being before
stole into his heart.
"Can I yet tax your Kindness" h
asked, "by begging that l may be al
lowed to remain here until it is saf
ffor me to venture abroad? If ] 6,
now this will prove to be only respite
Have you father? Could you dis
|