The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1876-03-09

lady, wringing her hands and weeping
piteously. "They will 60 into her yer!
chamber, and no one can prevent itP
moaned the agitated Mrs. D..
20, Missiew screamed the girl, "dey
is at de gate"
"Hush, Nellie, hush !' said Marion, il
a tone of gentle command, then turning
she said: "They shall not go in mothers
room, if daughters love and courage
with Gods help, can prevent it." Tht
poor girl spoke brayely, but her face wa'
very white, and her woman's heart trem
bled with fear.
20, child, child, you can't prevent it
You are too sweet, and pure, and beauti
full to encounter that fendish band Oh
what shall we do 2"
'Let us look to our Father for protec'
ton, dear friend" said the girl, gently
putting her arm around Mrs. D., and
kissing her. "I will go up stairs, and
prepare mamma for the intruders, and
you stay here and try to procure guard
for the house. 1t will be our best and
only plan."
AS calmly and quietly as her terror
would permit, Marion entered her moth
er's room to break to her the dreadful
tidings. The poor invalid lay in deep
and untroubled sleep, and over the color
less lips there even hovered smile. The
brave, unselfsh child stood and gazed
moment on her beloved patient, then
turning away. she softly murmured
"Oh, I cannot awaken her, she sleeps so
sweetly! Sleep on, precious mother, and
take your rest. I will trust in Him on
whom you have taught me to call when
in trouble"
She then quietly and carefully placed
small six shooter in her pocket, and
left the room. Softly closing the door,
she entered an adjoining room, which also
opened on a hall or passage leading to
the stairway. 1t was in this room Mari
on determined to make her resistance,
for only through the hall and that room
could the intruders reach Mrs. Maham's
chamber.
Our heroine bolted the door, anxiously
examining her pistol to see that it was all
right, then seating herself by the table
and bowling her head on an open Bible
which lay upon it, she lifted her heart
in feryent prayer for almighty aid in this
hour Of danger.
Suddenly she heard the heavy tread
of armed men entering the house, fol-
loved by a dreadful bustling and confu-
sion, as of men walking from room to
room in hurried search; the noise, min
gled with horrid oaths and imprecations,
continued for what seemed to the fright
ened girl an interminable time. But,
oh, terrible! she hears them at the foot
of the stairs, and Mrs. D-'s frightened
voice pleading with them not to go up.
All! how distinctly she hears every word,
every sound, even the beating of her
unruly heart, which thumps SO fast and
so loudly, it nearly chokes her. But the
Yankees the dreaded Yankees are at
the door of the room, and poor Mrs.
D. pleads in vainl
They try the latch, but finding the door
boited, they rap loudly and rudely with
their rifles. One fervent ejaculation, one
upward glance of faith, and the trem-
bling girl opens the door, taking care,
however, even in her alarm to place her
self in the doorway, and holding the
door-shutter with one hand.
Almost unearthly was the maiden's
beauty as she stood frightened, but dig
nifed and calm before those rude SOL
diers. Her complexion was as white as
sculptured marble, her beautiful lips
wore cold and stern expression, while
her eyes seemed uncertain whether they
should speak defiance or utter gentle
pleading. But the woman and the
daughter mastered the heroine. In soft
entreaty she spoke:
Soldiers, my dear mother lies ill in
the adjoining room, and her very life
depends upon perfect quiet. Listen to
my entreaties and do not come here
leave us, oh, leave us, I beseech you
o, be courteous, if you are brave men,
be pitiful p
Her dignity, her pure and intellectual
beauty had for moment awedthe brutes.
But the effect was only momentary, for
with horrid imprecation, one who wore
captains uniform and seemed the leader
of the robber band advanced towards the
door, saying:
"By Jupiter! here is the beauty we
have been SO long promisedl Now, boys,
we'll seek the bootyl Come, pretty one,
hand over the diamonds, the rubies and
the pearls with which you have been
wont to add lustre to your peerless South
ern beauty! hand over the gold and sill
yer dollars from your treasury. Don't
dream, my rebel fair one, you can't come
your gush over me by your doleful tales
of a sick mamma. Let us pass into the
room like gentlemen, and when we have
secured the rebel gold, we will return to
you and expect to be entertained by rebel
beauty and wit"
At the first rude word the shy, soft
gazelle-like light faded from the girls
beautiful eyes; their very color changed
from a deep and tender blue to q cold