Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1878-05-07

IN
alone in little apartment off from Il
drawing room. She was thinking of IL
coils that were closing around her, ar
the chances there were for her to escal
them. The black boy, Pip had returl
ed, andthe message he brought awoke
hope in her heart. If it was possible |
save her she knew that Captain Blak
would do it. She knew his heart wei
and felt he would give his own life fire,
ly, if need to be, to save her.
She was thinking of him, and hopin
that it would not be long ere she woul
be folded once more in his arms, whe
her thoughts were disturbed by rap a
the door. Thinking that it might be tn
maid or the boy Pip, she bade the ap
pllcant enter. The door opened an,
much to her disgust she saw Silas Hal
standing before her.
She arose from her seat with the inten
ton OF quitting the room. The presenc
OF her suitor was at all times distastefu
to her, and his coming uron her nov
was doubly so. He OWNED her motions
and took step forward as though fo
the purpose of arresting her steps.
"Rose do not be so cruel as to leave me, ,
he said. Tomorrow is to be our wed
ding day, and there is much that I would
say to you"
She made no answer to the words o
the man she abhorred, but with stately
mein moved as though she would leave
the apartment.
Silas Hall stepped forward, and made
a motion as though he would lay his
hand upon her shoulder.
..Back, villain !" she cried. "Leave
the room, your presence is unwelcome
herev'
"Why so cruel, Rose; what does it
matter? Tomorrow you'll be mine
Let us speak now of the happiness there
is in store for u.s."
He laid his hand upon her arm and
attempted to draw her toward him.
She shook him off as though his touch
polluted her, and the next instant she
had drawn long slender dagger from
her bosom, and held it towards him in a
menacing manner.
He fell back step, holding out his
hands as though to ward off the expect.
ed blow.
"Put up that toy, Rose; this is but a
foolish play. OF all the men in the
world you would not harm your promis-
ed husband"
mo, would not harm him. He is
not here. 1t is against you, black heart
ed villain, that would defend myself!''
"This is foolish talk, Rose; you know
that IN few hours you are to be my
wife"
II know no such thing, Silas Hall =
Rather than be your wife, if / we've
forced to take my choice, would plunge
this dagger into my own heartH
She turned the point of the weapon
towards her and made a motion as
though she was half-minded to strike the
blow of which she had just spoken.
Evidently Silas Hall thought she
meant to do what she said, and as her
motions indicated, for be took another
step towards her, as though for the puY-
pose of arresting her hand.
Leave the room, Silas Hall, unless
you wish me to do the deed" she said,
still holding the weapon menacingly.
and the villain seeing thatshe was til or
Oughly in earnest, skunk away, leaving
her alone.
81 will keep my word,n she said to
herself. "1f Robert does net come to
save me tonight I will die. i will new
er be forced to this thing which ] so much
abhof: The grave is far better than life
with that villain s'
.tshe placed the weapon in its hiding
place., and a few minutes later sought
the privacy of her own apartment,
The night came on apace--N nigAs all
ed with the deepest gloom,
Dark and Threatening clouds rushed.
athwart tAs sky, completely blotting out
tAe nght Of the stars
No rain was falling. although at any
moment it seemed that new deluge
might be hurled upon the earth.
Alone Rose waited the coming eE hss
patriot lover. W
Midnight was near at hand. Her un-
Gle and Slias tisn had retired to rest. So
,at IA sns kpsw, only herself and trusty
4l2 We're awake.
che latter had repeated that the red
coats without were snugly sheltered, and
that unless alarmed, they would not stir
again that night.
The moment was near at AGld on
which so much depended.
There was low faotfall without the
door-a footsseP Which she remembered
we'll.
'sfsosey'
A The y9ses thrilled her to her inmost
soul.
She threw open the door, and the next
moment she was clasped in the arms Of
Capt. Blake.
my own," he Whispered. ''eeme with
me. There is 2 Long dark ride to the
Santee, and 30 the camp of Marion"
y will go with you to the ends of the
earth, Robert"
She stole forth from the house unch-
served. Sharp eyes indeed they must
have been, that could have pierced the
darkness that SURROUNDED them. A
short distance from the mansion tho
Captaip's s men and horses vera 10 wais-
Ing. To vault into the saddle was only
the work Of TnainaNtas and they dashed
away GA their long dark ride to the San
te9. and to the camp of Marion.
Before morning dawned tbev reached
] 1t, and that day the wor,.s were said that
bound the lovers together while LIE
should LIST.
.ne tories discovered when it was too
late, that their biyd had flown. Their
rage and disappointment knew nc
bounds, but it was useless. Love had
triumphed over tyranny, as it is almos!
ALWAYS sure to do