Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1877-02-21

moon was aDOut an hOur nigh, and
shone brightly upon the landscape.
Herbert and Ada were walking arm in
) arm, not far from the cottage, convers-
ing together as lovers sire wont to con-
verse. AS Herbert, however, was speak
ing Of their approaching union, which
was to take place in few weeks, the
threat of Marco, the Serpent" re-
CURED to the mind of the young girl,
causing her to shudder. To her lovers
inquiries, she answered by telling him
her thoughts. He, however, laughed
away her fears, telling her that she
need be under no apprehensions-that
Even as he spoke, however, two forms
that had for some time been logging
their footsteps, suddenly sprang forth
from the shrubbery that concealed
them; and ere the young man had fully
recovered himself, a hand was placed
firmly upon his throat, and a dagger
pointed at his heart. The other figure
seized Ada in its arms, and made off
with her.
Now, then, thou art in my power:
thus do punish all those that thwart
me-" exclaimed he who held Herbert,
and he elevated his arm still higher, to
plunge the dagger into the young man s
bosom. The young man, however, to
use vulgar expression, was game;
and accordingly drawing off with his
foot, he suddenly dealt him blow in
the stomach, that sent him reeling to
the ground with tremendous force.
He fell backward, and, in his descent,
his head struck against stone, which
served to deprive him of all sense.
Herbert cast hasty glance upon him,
as he lay full in the light of the moon,
and recognized Marco, the Serpent
He did not, however, stop, but darted
in full pursuit after the figure, which
he could now see far ahead of him
rushing on with the form of Ada in it's
arms. The person, whoever it was,
was enveloped in long cloak, and
seemed to carry the senseless form of
the young girl with difficulty. AS the
reader has probably surmised before
this, it was Marcos mother who had
accompanied her son to aid him in his
work of revenge. AS she passed on
with her senseless burden, she cast a
glance behind to see if her son was fol
lowing her, Her surprise and conster-
nation were great, however, when, in
stead of that individual, she beheld
Herbert in rapid pursuit She was
already nearly breathless, and had not
as yet, accomplished more than half
the distance she meant to go, while
Herbert was fast gaining on her. I'm
der the influence of extreme terror, she
dropped the form of the young girl
upon the sward, and then fed in the
direction of her dwelling. Herbert
was not long in reaching the spot, and
lifting Ada from the ground, bore her,
with all possible speed, in the direction
of the cottage. Although he took the
same path upon which the encounter
with Marco had taken place, he saw
nothing Of that Individual, which led
him to believe that the fellow, having
recovered his senses, mad taken to his
heels and fled. Ada was borne into the
cottage, where with proper rem edies,
she was soon restored to consciousness.
The next day the authorities were made
acquainted with the matter, but, upon
searching the premises of the sorcer-
ess, it was found she had absconded,
with q part of her valuables. It was,
however, suspected that her son was
secreted in the neighborhood, and
vigilant watch was accordingly kept for
about a week, when it subsidized and
the officers extended their search to
more distant quarters.
Two weeks had passed since the
occurrences above related had taken
place. 1t was beautiful morning, and
in one of the neatly furnished apart
ments of the cottage, Ada was dressing
for her bridal. That very day she was
to be united to the chosen one of her
heart-Herbert Chenille. Her sister
Ellen was there, lending helping
hand to dress her, and whispering
words in her ear which brought count
less bushes to the cheek of the fair
girl. At last everything was arranged,
and as Ada viewed herself in the full
length mirror, her sister observed that
she "never seen her look SO beautiful
before"
"And now," said Ellen, imprinting a
kiss upon the pure brow of the young
bride, 81 will 60 down into the outer
room and see if Herbert or the minis
ter has arrived" With these words
she quilted the apartment, leaving the
young girl to her own reflections. And
O! how happy was Ada at that mo-
ment, and how surprisingly lovely that
happiness made her appear. Her
dress was of spotless white, and a
wreath of orange flowers was twined
about her raven hair. A dreamy soft
ness was in her hazel eye, and a glow
upon her cheek, as she thought of the
one who in few short hours should
become her husband.
At length the door opened, and her
sister entered, bearing in her hand an
ebony box.
"They have not yet come" she said,
"but here is a wedding present, which
has just been brought to the door by
boy, who says that it came from some
one of our friends"
Ada took the box in her hand and
opened it. AS she did so a piercing
shrek broke from her lips, for she
had scarcely raised the lid when SER
pent darted quickly forth and coiled it's
shiny folds about her wrist. A feel.
ing of sharp pain ran through her arm
as the snake fastened its poisonous
fangs into her flesh; and overcome by
terror. she fell faintinp on tho Hoor