Feliciana sentinel. [volume] (St. Francisville, La.) 1877-1892, 1879-03-15

mat 1t would not be long erc she would
be folded onco more in his arms, when
her thoughts were disturbed by rap at
the door. Thinking that it might be tho
maid or the boy Pip, she bade the appli-
cant enter. The door opened and much
to her disgust che saw Silas Hall stand
ing before her.
She arose from Ter sent With the inten-
tion of qultping the room. The presence
of her suitor was at all times distastefu1
to her, and his coming upon her now was
doubly so. He devined her motions, ana
took step forward as though for the
purpose of arresting her steps.
"Rose, do not be so cruel as to leave
me.' he said. "rc. morrow is to be our
wedding-day, and there is much that I
would say to you"
She made no answer to The words of
the man she abhorred, but with stately
mem moved as though she would leave
the apartment.
Silas Hall stepped forward, ard made
motion as though Ii, would lay his hand
upon her shoulder.
"Rack, viliainw she cried s.Leave
tue room, Your presence is unwelcomo
hcrc!f
"Why SC cruel, Rose; what does it mat
ter: Tomorrow you'll be miEe. Lot Us
speak now for the happiness there is in
store for us.'
He laid his haud upon her arm aud at.
tempted to draw her toward him.
She shook him off as though his touch
polluted her, and the next instant she
had drawn a long slender dagger from
her bosorG, and held it towards him in q
menancing manner.
He fell back 4 step, holding out his
hands as though to ward off tho expected
blow.
''Put up that toy, Rose; this is but 4
foolish play. OF all the mon in the world
you would not harm your promised hus-
band"
"Ne, I would not harm him. He is not
here. 1t is against you, blacd-hearted
villain, that wonld defend myself"
"This is foolish talk, Rose; you know
that in O few hours you are to DO my
wife,
II knew 20 such thing, silas Ha!F
Rather than bo your wife, if were forced
to take my choice, I would plunge this
dagger into my own heart"
She turned the point Of tho weapon to-
wards her and made Il motion as though
she was haff-minded to strike tho blow
of which she had just spoke
Evidently Silas Hall thought she meant
to do what she said, and as her motions
;,,,1S toI f>,,
wards her, as though for the pnnpose of
a1resting her hand.
'Leave the room, Sflas Hall, unless you
wish it1e to do tho Decd" she said, still
holding the weapon 1renacingIy, and tho
villain seeing that she was thoroughly in
earnest, SUNK away, leaving her alone.
81 will keep nay word" she said to her
self. eff Robert does not come to save
me tonight will die. will never be
forced to this thing which I so much ab-
hor. The grave is far better than lifo
with that villain!'
Sho placed the weapon in it's hiding
place, and Il few minutes later sous ght the
privacy of her own apartment.
The night calnc OH apace-a night
i-iiSN W Viz uc0ticSb
Dark aud threatening cleuds rushed
athwart the sky, completely blottius out
tho light Of tho stars.
No rain was falling, although at any
moment it seemed that new deluge
might be hurled upon the earth.
A;onc Bose waited the coming Of her
patriot lover.
Midnight was near at hand. Her uncle
and silas Hall had retired to rest. So far
as she knew, only herself aud trusty Pip
woro awake.
he latter had repeated that tho red
coats without were snugly sheltered, ana
that unless alarmed, they would not stir
again that night.
The moment was near at hand on whicE
so much depended.
There was a low football Without tho
tleor--a footstep which sue remembered
wcil.
'ISoset"
The voice thrilled Ter to her inmoss
soul.
She threw open tho doer, ard tho next
moment sho was clasped IN the arms Of
Capt. Blake.
"My own" he whispered, "come witf
me. There is long dark ride to the
Santcn, and to tic camp Of Marion"
u will go with you to the ends Of the
earth, Robert"
She stolo forth from the House utcb
served. Sharp eyes indeed they must
lavc been, that conld havo pierced tho
darkness that surrounded them.
a short distance from, tho mansion the
'aptaln's men and horses We're in waiting.