The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1875-06-17


Even in the moonlight the beautiful face was
seen to flush quickly and the dark eyes were
raised towards her guardian. Pointing to
seat beside her. Juniata made no reply; and
sitting down, Clarence Kane said quietly
"Janiata, to-day is the first time the thought
of losing YOU ever came forcibly upon me"
"What do you mean? Speak, implore
you p' cried the impassioned girl, startled at
his words:
"Do not be alarmed, little girl; meant to
say that Caspar Hastings and Colonel Hughes
have both asked me to-day to allow them to
lay themselves, their hearts and fortunes at
your pretty feet; and Clarence spoke play
fully.
"I love neither of them, and never shall.
Hence I will not marry the one or the other.
But what did you say?"
II said would speak to you on the subject"
"You are willing to give me up, then?"
'Never no. I mean; but some day you
will love some man, and he will take you from
me-"
'sNo, no, no. will not 60 away from you.
will not love any one; [ wish to be always
with you"
Clarence Kane sprang to his feet and rapid
ly crossed the floor, and returning, said quick
"Juniata, would to Heaven I could keep you
ever with me but first, ere know my doom,
let me tell you of your past life.
"Listen I! You have believed yourself left
in my keeping by your parents, who, L told
you, died in a foreign land; but to your life
hangs story which you must know, for no
longer are you child.
'You know my life has been one of adven-
ture, of wandering, and thus | will begin by
telling you that sixteen years agone l was
roaming in Spain, and one night put up at an
inn by the roadside, where were stationed
number of Spanish officers.
"While enjoying my supper in quiet, con-
versation occurred at the table near me, be-
tween several Spanish officers, that was most
insulting to my own land, every vile epithct
was heaped upon America and Americans, un-
til unable to stand it longer, rose to my feet,
and walking to the table, threw glass OF wine
into the face of young man attlred IN cap
tain's uniform, who had been particularly in
sulting in all he had said.
'Instantly there was commotion, and ma
king known my nationality, the young man
demanded that I should meet him in duel,
and nothing loath, accepted the challenge,
and promised to meet him the next day but
one, at spot designated in the mountains,
and some twelve miles distant, the captain
promising to have gentleman friend prcsen
who would act as my second, for was L
stranger in strange land, and knew not on
whom to call but do not be impatient, Juni-
ata for all this bears upon your life"
'To be in time, procured guide the next
afternoon, and thoroughly armed and mounted,
storm set in, and we lost our way; darkness
came on, and after wandering for hours,
friendly light caught our eyes, and eagerly we
sought it, and found small farmhouse, from
the inmates of which we received a warm well
come
"I liked not the appearance of the place,
and neither did my guide. for we felt assured
that there had been some half dozen men in
the house when we called at the gate, for dis
tinctly had we heard loud voices, and yet only
an old man had greeted us.
"But good supper was given us. My guide
looked after the horses and was assigned a
place in the barn to sleep, while | MAS shown
up stairs to small room, possessing but sim
gle door and window, besides the trap by which
I had entered the chamber.
'Dressed as was, 1 threw myself upon the
low bed, but not to sleep; for strange thoughts
came over me, and soon [ heard the hum of
voices, and through crack in the floor dis
covered in the room 5aiow half dozen fierce
looking men, in earnest conversation.
"At once I knew ALL was in the house OF
a band of robbers, and we'll knew my fate.
"While looked, the men started forth and
distinctly heard the words, "We'll finish the
guide in the STABLE
"Rising to my feet, softly felt around the
room until found the door | had observed,
and after few efforts it opened, and [ discov-
cred that it led down narrow passage-way,
which following some distance, I came upon q
window opening out upon shed, which slant
ed off toward the ground at the back of the
house.
"Here was chance to escape, but unwilling
to leave my guide in danger, without, some
effort to save him, lit a match and glanced
around me, and to the right discovered a door,
which judged led into room which COM
manded full view of the stable yard.
The latch raised easily and l entered, and
lighting another match, what was my horror
to discover the forms of three men lying upon
the floor; but believing them to be asleep, I
was about to withdraw when voice said
quickly,
"'Great heavens, you here
"Instantly turned the blaze upon the
speaker, and with amazement discovered one
of the young officers 1 met at the inn, bound
hand and foot while by his side lay two 9TH
ers, the one / was to meet the next morning
in mortal combat, and he that was to be my
second.
But no need had 1 to dread that morrow's
meeting, 4or 10th my enemy and the one that
was to have acted as my friend were dead.'
"Dead 2"
eyes, Juniata, they have been cruelty put 10
death by the very band that was soon to seek
my life, for like my guide and myself, the
other party had become lost in the storm and
happened on the same house.
"This was quickly told me by the young Off
Ger, whose life the bandits had spared, to tor
ture from him OH the morrow confession as
to when richly laded commissary train was
to cross the mountains.
Instantly severed the bonds of the young
officer, and rising to his feet he took the pistol
I offered him, and together we were consulting
or future movements to save the poor guide,
when from the stable yard came loud cry for