The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1872-05-24

which should lead me out. but for a
time the struggle was vain. I was
groping IN the dark.
1 hurried toward the city with all
my might, but I travelled round and
round, up one street and down an
other, IN maze. The night was
cool and starless; the wind famed
me gratefully; by and by my memo
~ and my senses returned. and I re-
allied, perfectly, every thing-euery
thing that had occurred since six
o'clock.
The bells were striking midnight
when 1 stopped before nay Office.
There was a faint light burning there
IN, although lad left none there
AS opened the door, a low cry Of
glainess greeted me; female figure
| approached and threw herself
trembling into my arms, and the
sweet face of Francesca Van Buren
was pressed to my own.
cob! Philip, she cried: II thought
! you would never come. Such dread
/ fui danger threatens us. My father
is determined to send me abroad and
force me to enter a convent; he has
sworn that he will take me away to-
morrow morning. He thinks me Sc
curely locked in my room at this mo-
ment; but old Majority, in whose
care he left me, yielded to my en-
treaties, and has consented to assist
me TO escape a fate which I dread
worse than death itself.
From a far corner of dimly-light-
ed room, now came old Majority, her
teeth chattering with terror at what
she had done. 20, O." she eiacu-
lated, "but the wrath of the master
will be dreadful"
We viii protect you from his
anger, Majority" answered Frances
ca, with look toward me of such firm
trust and confidence as almost broke
my heart.
soon learned the events of that
night. Van Buren had informed his
daughter that her husband that was
to be was hourly expected from
Europe and bade her prepare for her
marriage at an early day. In an
sWer, Francesca had avOwed her love
for me, and her determination never
to marry the man her father had
chosen for her. There had been
stormy scene. Almost beside him
self with rage, her father had ordered
her clothing packed. and placed her
under lock and key, swearing that
the morning sun should light on her
way from America, that a converts
cell should hold her, denying to her,
now, even the choice between that
and her foreign suitor. In despair,
she had flown TO me, who alone could
save her, knowing there was no time
for resslve or delay; it was now, if
ever, that aid must come.
As she told her story, her eyes
raised to mine with their look of un-
questioning confidence and love, al
mo t drove NE mad. 1 g2zed into
her face In dumb agony. What could
l do? Had I been free, my course
would have been plain and simple
enough. I should have married her
that night, that hour; and once mine,
could safely defy her fathers rage.
Q, the cursed fate that had crossed
my path that night 1 could not tell
her. I paced the room with my
nails driven into my cold palms and
my teeth bitten through my lips,
trying to answer to myself the ques-
ton, ''What can l dol" What is the
power of words with which to paint
my awful despair? Ifyou are a man
whose eye meets this you may have
some appreciation of my feelings and
impulses at that time. Here was the
woman whom 1 loved looking conf
IDENTIFY to me for protection. II
failed her, she was lost
tried TO save her.
The steamer that would leave the
next morning was the one that was to
convey francesca and her father to
Europe. That way Of escape was
barred. In disguise Francesca,
Majority and I-sought to fly to the
South. Our pursuers discovered US
3 great Western city. When I saw
that there was no escape from item,
I appealed to the law to protect, at
least, Francesca. But 1 could show
but bad record. Ny marriage was
known. The Darieys, brother and
uncle of "my wife," as well as Van
Buren, had pursued us She was
torn from my arms, and was arrest
ed and hurried to prison.
l have some recollection Of being
brought out TO trial l cannot tell
what took place. 1 do not know
really how it was; but I was releas-
ed. Probably no one appeared
against me. But whether 1 vas re-
leased or again confined was a mat
ter of as little moment TO me then as
it was 10 the farthest inhabitant of
these United States.
The words "too late" never convey
ed more awful meaning to any hu-
man soul than they did TO me when
| found myself standing outside the
ourt-Houee, IN Chicago, free to 90
where pleased.
Ny search for my little Francesca
las proved as unavailiDg as it has
1een long and anxious.
She and her father had both dissp-
scared as completely as though the
,arth had opened and swallowed
hem up. Not the slightest trace of
'ither Of them have ever been able
% discover.