Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1881-03-24

be folded once more in his arms, when
her thoughts we've disturbed by rap on
the door. Thinking it might be her maid or
boy, Pip she bade the applicant enter.
! The door opened and much TO her disgust
she saw Silas Hall standing before her.
!! She arose from her seat with the inten-
tion of quitting the room. The presence
of her suitor was at all times distasteful
to her, and his coming upon her now was
doubly so. He OWNED her motives, and
took a step forward as though for the pur-
pose of arresting her step.
"Rose do not be so cruel as to leave
me-" he said Tomorrow is TO be our
wedding day, and there is much | would
say to you.'
She made no answer to the words of the
man she abhorred, but with Il stately mein
moved ~ though she would leave the
apartment.
| Sllas Hall stepped forward and made a
motion as though he would lay his hand
upon her shoulder.
"Back, villainI'' she cried. Leave the
room, your presence is unwelcome here ~
"Why so cruel, Rose; what does it mat
ter3 Tomorrow you'll be mine. Let us
speak now of the happiness there is in
store for us"
tie laid his hand upon her arm and at
tempted to draw her toward him.
She shook him of as though his touch
polluted her, and the next instant she had
drawn a long slender dagger from her bo-
som, and held it towards hun in a mena-
cling manner.
lie fell back step, holding out his
hands as though to ward off the expected
blow.
Put up that toy, Rose; this Is but a
foolish play. OF z.l men in the world
you would not harm your promised hus-
band?"
"No, l would not harm HIM. He is not
here, 1t is against you, blackhearted wi
lain, that would defend myself"
This is foolish talk, Rose; you know
that in few hours you are to be my
wife"
al know no such thing, Silas Hall! Ra
thcr than be your wife, if l were forced to
take my choice, would plunge this dag
ger into my heartl"
She turned the point of the dagger to-
wards her and made motion as though
she was half minded 10 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 he took another step toward
her, as though for the purpose of arrestlng
her hand.
"Leave the room, Sllas Hall, unless you
wish me TO do the deed" she said, holding
the weapon menacingly, and the villain
seeing tnat she was thoroughly in earnest,
slu nix away, leaving her alone.
81 will keep my word, " she SAID to her
self. ''If Robert does not come to save
me tonight will die. l will never be
forced to this thing which sa much alb
hor. The grave is far better tnan life with
that villainl"
She placed the weapon in its hiding
place, and few minutes later sought the
privacy of her own apartment.
The night came on apace-a night filled
with the deepest gloom.
Dark and threatening clouds rushed
athwart the sky, completely blotting out
the light of the stars.
No rain was falling, although at any
moment it seemed that a new deluge
might be hurled upon the earth.
Alone Rose waited the coming OF her
patriot lover.
Midnight was near at hand. Her uncle
and Sllas Hall retired TO rest. SO far as
she knew, only herself and trusty Pip
were awake.
The latte had reported that the red
coats within were snugly sheltered, and
that unless alarmed, they would not stir
again that night.
The moment was near AT hand on which
50 much depended.
There was a low football without the
door-a footstep which she remembered
well.
''Rosel'
The voice 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, 'come with
me. There is long dark ride to the San
tee, and to the camp OF Marion.
Il will 60 with you to the end of the
earth, Robert.
She stole forth from the house unob-
served. Sharp eyes indeed they must
have been. that could have pierced the
darkness thai surrounded them. A short
distance from the mansion the Captain s
men and horses were in wailIng. To vault
into the saddle was only the work of min
ute; and they dashed away on their long
dark ride to the Santee, and to the camp
of Marion.
Before morning dawned they reached
it, and late that day the words were said
that bound the lovers together while life
should last.
The tories discovered, when it was too
late, that their bird had flown. Their rage
and disappointment knew no bounds but it
was useless. Love had trumped over tyrdn-
ny, as it is almost always sure to do.