The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1871-01-20

room. A large key was in her band,--
it was the master-key Of her father
house, and had been in her possession
since her mothers death she placed 1t
with q trembling hand in the massive
lock !; the blue veins of her thin wrist
swelled almost to bursting as she strained
it against the ponderous bolts, twas in
vain they resisted, they would not
move she wiped the damp drops from
her brow, and again, with both haods
upon the key, essayed her task. 1t
yielded; slowly the stubborn spring
gave way to her pressure the bolt
grated harshly as it moved, and then,
with a sudden clsng, flew back from the
staple. She looked around Haus still
slept, and she threw open the heavy
door.
"Who seeks uc?" cried Alvarez,
stepping forth bu' the contrast from
the darkness of his prison to the light
of midday dazzled his vision, and pre-
vented him from distinguishing the per-
sou. OF his hberator. she placed her
hand upon his arm and murmured, abe
silent' he started, gazed upon her
pale face, and pressed her to his bosom.
Be quick said Agnes, disengaging
herself from his embrace "your hours
are numbered your guard siumbers /;
wrap yourself 10 this cloak through
tiat passage you reach the garden ; pass
through it, take your way to the western
wall it is ruinous, and the houses near
it deserted there conceal yourself till
night-fall, and then seek your camp, be
quick, the streets are deserted, and you
can pass in safety" Bewildered by the
suddenness of awakened hope and the
rapid and eagertt uerance of the tremb
ling girl, Alvarez, without answering or
taking the protfered cloak, remained
gazing upon her face. Save yourself :"
she cried, grasping his arm :" fly !"
And what will be your fate if | do 2"
asked Alvarez. " Nothing, nothing"
she answered, 81 am safe, am pro-
tected; preserve your life, and the
hands OF those l love from the guilt of
murder be quick"
He took the cloak. In the dark ness
Of his prison, cheered neither by the
light of day nor hope, when death seem.
ed certain, he had not trembled but
now. when the snnbeams were Oh him
and the gate of deliverance stood open,
he shook like threatened child
" Agnes" be said at length, after long
gazing on her, will not escape; | am
the doomed victim that must atone on
the altar of vengeance for your brothers
blood. Should | escape by your means
you would afterwards repent 1t ] will
stay and die He dropped the cloak
on the floor, and passing his arm round
her waist, pressed her to him as if con
Lok - t, ha fka,r lost
brace. AS she lay cold aud passive in
his arms, she fixed her strsining eye on
his : Alvarez" she said, do you love
me 2" /" Better, BETTER" he cried fer
vently, 4" than life or fame" Then
leave me and live!' che exclaimed /;
I" for if you now refuse the safety that
is offered you, you murder me ~ Il
will obey you," he ssid, raising the cloak
from the floor and wrapping it about
him, but remember l seek my safety
at your command; should danger
threaten you for this devotion to your
country's enemy, will return and shield
you with my life..
At that Instant . shot was heard from
tho Spanieh camp. Agnes started from
her lovers arms violent sbivering
convu lsed her frame, and her hand wa,
pressed hard upon her brow. She know
that shot was the signal of her brother
approaching fate. Dear Aenes I" said
Alvarez, supporting her, "you are III ;
| will not leave you thus" go co.!
she exclaimed, suddenly controlling her
emotion, {" it was nothing, it is past ;
save but yourself, and l can endure ALL
Il" Farewell, then y he said " if heaven
pity US, we shall meet again if not,
h. ,,arcory eboIl at,and mn m m a Q "A m y