The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1877-07-31

Trembling with excitement and fear,
the girl arose to her feet, At that t.io-
ment the stage came to halt.
"This here's Punchonville" growled
the driver, pusing open the door. With
a feeling Of thankfulness, Lucia sprang
out, and away from the presence of her
travelling companion.
us dis here de school marin ?" asked
a voice at her elbow; and Lucia's gaze
met the ebony visage of dilapidated
negro. 2se
"Yes,Y she replied, hastily. : za
"Den dis here's de way! Dare's de
wagon over yonder!''
1t was huge green cart, with span
of mules attached, and Lucia followed
her conductor in its direction. Her
heart sank within her as she realized
that shesswas among strangers, alone
and frien6less, and that her worst enc.
my (for so she now ranked the man in
whose word she had so lately believed)
was so near A thought slipped into
her heart: Had she been quite wise in
listening to Captain Brabason's story
about John Randall's marriage2 A
wretch who would insult an unprotected
woman, as he had done, would surely
be equal to any rrleanness or falsehood.
With these feelings rife in her heart
Lucia CLAN bered into the high old wag-
on, and, was driven rapidly away, But
not before she caught sight Of Captain
Brabason leaning negligently against
the door of corner grocery. and puff
ing away at huge cigar. He bowed
with exaggerated gallantry; but noticing
his salutation, the girl turned her face
away. Lucia's boarding place was at
the palatial log residence Of Mr.. John
son; here she found comparative CON-
fort, and straightway made up her mind
to be contented. The school was soon
opened; the attendance was large, and
the business of education went on swim
mingly.
Days passed, and Lucia became quite
reconciled to her new lot Her unfor-
tunate adventure was growing fainter in
her memory. until one day, returning
from school, on the little mustang which
had been placed at her service, she
caught sight of Captain Brabason, with
his malignant eyes scowling into her
face. Something seemed to warn her
of coming evil.
Arrived at home. she carefully exam
ined. the barrels Of her revolver, and af.
ter that, she carried it continually with
her. 1t was autumn now, and Lucia had
been teaching for several months. Du
ring this interval, her letters from home
had been infrequent-while her own, in
reply, were vague and unsatisfactory
She was too proud to acknowledge to
her parents the terror in which she was
living, and too independent to give up
her situation, when the money was so
great help to them. And all this time,
she had heard nothing from John; and
she longed for one word, which would
reveal the truth or falsity of the story
which Captain Brabason had told her,
1t was afternoon of still, cool au
tumn day; Lucia had dismissed her pu.
pills, and, alone in the little log school.
house, prepared the lessons, and Sc,
copies for the morrow.
II was near sunset when she left the
school-room, and closing the door be.
hind her, sprang lightly into the saddle
and turned her horses head. She had
about three miles to travel, and vexed
at her own forge.fulness of the hour,
Lucia hurried the horse forward:
Her way lay along the bank of a win
ding stream, very deep, and dark, and
dismal. The sun was getting low; she
could scarcely get home before dusk.
With keen feeling Of alarm, she has
tened on, when the clatter of horses
hoofs fell upon her startled ears. She
turned in the saddle, and beheld a large
number of horsemen galloping towards
her. A second glance assured her that
they were Indians, and among them
rode Captain Brabason! Lucia's heart
stood still with terror. He rode up to
the trembling woman:
sAh!" he cried, sardonically, 1--WE
meet again"
He attempted to seize her bride, but
the intrepid girl drew forth her trusty
weapon. With muttered curse, the
ruffian dashed it from her hand. 1t fell
with dull thud among the dry leaves
which covered the ground, and rustled
at their feet, Wheeling suddenly in the
saddle, Lucia raised her horsewhip, and
as he again approached her, she struck
him sharp, tingling blow across the
cheek With volley of imprecations,
he turned to his allies.
"Seize that womanr he shouted, in
the very delirium of rage.
They galloped onward to where she
sat, white, stern and determined, upon
the back of the fiery little mustang. q
dozen or SO of savages against one poor
little woman.
With wild determination to die be
fore she surrendered, Lucia urged her
horse onward, and dashed into the darE
waters as the stream at her feet.
"Follow her!" shouted Brabason.-
"You shall be well paid for your work =
He gathered up his own reins, and
spurred his horse forward; the Indians
did the same, and together they plung
ed into the water. Lucia heard the
splash, and gave herself up for lost.
On--on she went; she would soon be
over now. At last the stream is cross,
ed, and frantically the little mustang
scrambles up the opposite bank.
"Ah ha,. my lady" cried Brabason
springing from his saddle, and seizing
Lucia's bride, "you're in my hands al
last! Not even John Randall, himself
could save you now"
"Don't be too sure of that!
1t was deep, clear voice, and as Lu
cia heard it, she shrieked aloud in won.
der and amaze. At that moment, forth
from neighboring thicket dashed 6
horseman, young, 1.-THE and handsome
Behind him rode a score or 80 of blue
coats.
"John--oh, John !" cried Lucie.
"Just in time, see," was the cool re
sponse. captain Brabason, be kline
a y ~