The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1875-11-25

:
her to you. did wish to have united
you to each other even in this fearful
prison, according to your request, but
she would not consent. It is not that
she does not appreciate you as you
merit, but she fears to bring evil on you.
When her father is no more, and this
dread infatuation has passed away,
claim her as your bride. Take her
hence now, Dudley; treat her tender
ly-honorably. Be a brother to her.
Poor child! she will have need Of kind
ness" A carriage with an aged SER
want Of Mr.. Danvers waited without,
and the wretched Agnes was conveyed
home.
"Oh! Miss Agnes, what terrible
news!" cried her attendant, running
into the chamber Of the afflicted girl two
days after; sour only friend, Mr.. Dud-
ley, is charged with bewitching Mrs.
Darrell. She fell sick the day Miss
Sarah refused to visit you, and they all
say he is the cause, for they heard him
denounce woe against them if they did
not prove friends to you. Only think
of it,
But Agnes could not think. With q
wild scream she sank insensible on the
bed from which she had partly risen.
But she was too acutely miserable to re-
main long unconscious. As soon as re-
collection came back again she rose and
dressed herself, determined, weak as she
was, to 60 to Mr.. Darrell's and use all
the eloquence Of which she was mistress
to convince the family Of the falsity Of
their charge. They heard her with APP
parent concern, and Mrs. Darrell as
sured her it was not her desire that any
harm should befall the young man.
Hannah Goodwin was there, and she in
Htimated that she saw no possible means
of escape for him, since suspicion had
been excited in the minds Of many BY
his own words respecting Sarah's pa
rents, unless Sarah would accept him
and become his wife. Then, she added,
people would naturally suppose tho ac-
cusatiOn was erroneous. Sarah went
and expressed her fears lest she should
prove the next victim to popular preju-
dice, since she had been seen so frequent
" with Dudley and visited Agnes 90
openly. Poor Agnes returned home,
half distracted, having gained but one
source Of comfort from her errand. She
learned that Dudley was not yet appre-
hended, though the civil powers were in
pursuit Of him; he was supposed to have
absconded. Great was the surprise and
delight of our heroine when he himself
greeted her as she entered her own little
parlor. He supported her lettering
steps to chair, and eagerly and earn
estly thanked her for her efforts in his
behalf, which he learned from the at-
tendant.
"I % not need any fayors from the
Darrells, = ho said, when in broken ac-
cents she enabled him to divine rather
than communicated the only chance Of
safety they had limited as possible. = /
am in no danger, dearest Agnes, and II
were, their suggestion could never be
received. / know them all better than
you do, and understand the maneuver.
But could You, knowing my devotion,
wish me to become the husband 81
Sarah?' he asked reproachfully.
Any thing, any thing to save you.
Oh! Dudley, think Of my dear fathers
fate!" and she wept bitterly.
"Your father yet lives, dear Agnes,
and who knows what may be done for
him. His child's fervent prayer may vet
be heard. Trust in God, Agnes. have
learnt lesson Of faith from your father
and his daughter, which I hope never to
forget. I have not seen yon for two
days, but I have not thought Of you the
less. Agnes, are you prepared to hear
something very pleasantf'' he added
hesitatingly, fearing the effect O abrupt
ness on her delicate frame.
She looked up eagerly, anxiously, and
grasped his arm.
!" You would not deceive me with falst
hope?" s.a
mo. My own hazard became thu
means Of advantage to rs all. Yol
know we have wealth, influence, power
which Mr.. Danvers has not. The
have been used successfully. The ex
element is abating, and your father i
reprieved!"
A LoNDoN correspondent writes
Some good fun has been caused latel,
by an accident that happened to curat
Of High Church tendencies. Having
horse that did not like the water hl
tried TO cure him. He stripped to th,
skin, and then mounted his steed
which he sought to force into the sea
But the brute did not sssoe II, and
wheeling round, started full pace for th'
town, through the main street of whicl
he dashed, greatly TO the surprise ant