The Lincoln County herald., 1870-05-12

doos, and found there was no one In sight !;
she then returned to the room closing the
outer d0or behind her, raised the invalid,
and allowed tho stranger to escape fro0
his prison.
MY poor girl" (aud bis face lushed),
II know not what to say," - his eye fell
on her crtmsond, Gear stained counte.
nance. "You have saved my life. and l
was powerleae to protect you from insult
You shall wor.hily be sepeid blythe one
whom you have rescued, when better
days come"
He pitied her agitation; he sympa.
thised with the beautiful, heroic maiden !;
and . feeling deeper than be had ever
known for any living beisg before stole
into HE heart
"Can l yet tax your Kindness" he
asked, by begging that | may be sl
lowed to remain here until il is safe
for me to venture abrosd2 If 20 now,
this will prove to be only a respite.
Have you . fatherf Could you disk kuise
me ?"
The flush died out of her face as she
reflected how to save her strange guest
There was something about him which
made her feel instinctively that she could
srust him, and Interested her in his fate
mo, my father is dead we are als
there are lefs," pointing to the emanci.
ed form in the bed. "But will give
you my fathers clothes. You can dress
in them, and I will soy you are my uncle
from Yorkshire"
He readily fell into her plans; and
she, placing.a buadle before him; retired
into the inner room. When she emerged
she could scarcely recognize in the
bowed, decrepid old man, with silvery
wig, the handsome, manly, youthful
stranger Of faw momeats before.
Days passed, and still che stranger tar.
RED at the cottage. He was delighted
with Barbara's we'll informed mind and
wondered how she had eves obtained 80
much knowledge in that secluded count y
district. But it seemed that her mother
he'd been much better educated than the
majority of her sex, and had taken great
paine with her daughter before she died /;
and Barbara, being Of an intelligent turn
Of mind, had thoaght aad read much
since.
Days heightened into weeks, and .
warmer feeling than that Of friendship
sprang up between them. As yet, hs had
not mentioned by what sitle or rank he
was known.
u must leave you now. sweetheart" "
be said, throwing himself down beside
her one day; "but I can sot go away
eoutens until you give me the right to
return. Will you, Babara, my love, my
life, come to the church.. no pleaded,
land let the priest so!emuze our VOWS,
and l will depart happys Will you,
Babara, dearcst?"
What could she say? She had risked
her life for him once- che would willingly
sacrifice all now. Led on by his words
she could not resist him, bua bilndly, de-
votediy followed HIM 70 the altar.
What he whispered to the priest ere
the ceremony took place, she did not
catch with her ear.
"You will noe doubt my love, my
sweetheart" he said, "because have not
yet revealed my raSk? When l come
again, | will come as worthy for you to
receive"
He kissed her pale cheeks and CULVER.
ing lips over and over sgain ~ he left
her, and turned his back t. tho lstle
cottage.
Nonths passed by before she ever
heard fSom her lover husband, and she
fearedhe must have fallen iato the hands
Of bis foes.
He came at last, & star glittering on
bis breast, end bis array kingly. Her
heart fell within her as be fastened to
her with outstsetched arms.
barbara, my love-" he cried, folding
her to his breast, II have come st last
But why do you shrink? Are you mol
my own true love stillr
"Asd you are" she queried.
edward to you; to the world the
Prince Of Wales, the heir to the throne
be said. "They we're seeking my life
Che scbels. But why DO you look 50
palef l have made up my miud 90 for
sake all for you, dearest"
"But the princess ?" she cried. "All
England knows of your approaching mar.
riage.'
II will not hsve her." he calculated
sternly. IL will resign all pretensions to
the throne, and fly with you"
Fee moment the bliss Of being once
more within the arms of her beloved in
toxicated her senses but then her resS.
luton was taken,
my lord your"
"Rush, Barbara r. aud be placed hin
finger on her lip. ~ cannot have &C
much formality from your lips. l an
ssill only Edward you saved and loved.
"Then my beloved" she cried, "you
can not, do not doubt the fullness Of my
love-the love that would only too gladly
this moment give my life to preserve
yours"
II do not doubt it, my sweetheart, y
he returned.
"Then, oh, believe what I say is only