Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1882-10-05

At that very moment when, her last
strength exhausted, che was about to
succumh, Franz entered the copse, and
seeing his sister struggling with a
stranger, Immediately guessed what
had occurred. A cry of rage burst
from his lips; aud before Lima had re-
marked his presence, his powerful
hands were upon tho shoulders of her
antagonist, who lay the next instant
upon the grass at her feet.
Lima" cried Franz. seiziug the lal'
len man, and dragging him in the dl'
rection of the scaffold, hide Gerard
IN the bushes. II be still lives, he i.
rescued from all be most breads
Quick I will return.
With these words he hurried from
the copse, dragging bis prisoner after
him SO rapidly that the prostrAte man
his legs in .Franzs iron grasp, his
head trailing in the dust and striking
violently against each stock and stone
could make no efectual resstence.
As soon as Franz was within ear
shot of the mob, he shout more loudly
than ever.
The headsman here I have him
the headsman !"
Death to the william y was re-ech-
oed on all sidep; and from all four cor
ners Of the field the mob, who had
dispersed to seek the object Of their
hate rushed towards Franz
When Lina's brother saw himself
the centre of dense crowd. bowling
and frantic for blood, be hurled
among them the man whom he had
dragged by the feet, exclaimlng;
"Iiere s.your hesdsman J.
Death to him /, hoarsely repeated
hundred voices, while as many blows
descended upon the shriekIng wretch,
whose expostula,ions and prayers for
mercy were unheard in the tumult,
and whom the mob, blinded by fury,
easily mstook in the darkness for the
delinquent executioner,
His cries were soon aIlenced by tie
cruel treatment which be received. In
few minutes he was dead. HIs
clothes we're then tori from bic body,
and his face was disfgurea aud mutt
lated so as to be wholly unrecognlza-
bic.
Leaving the mob to their bloody
work, Franz returned to his sister, and
found her weeping and praying beside
the body Of her lover, whom she be-
lieved dead.
On examination, however; he found
Gerards pulse still beating. The vi
olent blow he bad received had stun.
ned but not slain him. Fresn water
thrown upon his face and chest. re-
stored him to consciousness, and to
the caresses of his dear Lima, speech,
less and almost tesiJs herself with JOY
| at his recovery.
When Lis strength returned, tL'
trio crept stesIthlly from the copse
and safely reached the town, where
Gerard concealed himself during tue
the evening in the house OF bis Atiianc-
ed.
When midnight came, and all the
streets were deserted, be betook him
self, accompanied by Franz, to his
own dwelling, and made his unexpect-
ed appearance in his fathers cham
ber
The old headsman, who lay broad
awake upon his bed of sickness, weep
ing bitterly, and deploring the death
of his unhappy son. deemed himself
the sport of deceitful vision when he
SAW the dead man approach his couch.
But when convinced, by Gerard S
voice and aifectionate embrace, that
he indeed beheld his son 10 solid flesh
and tone, his joy knew no bounds,
and for moment inspired the young
man with fears Of his immediate des-
solution.
MY sen, my son" he cried, "yeu
know not half your good fortune
Not only have you escaped a cruel
death, but you are also delivered from
the horrible employment which has
been mine, and was to be yours. The
accursed Obligation, that weighed so
heavily upon our race, ceases with
life; and you, my son, are dead J.
"And pure from the stain Of blood!
joyfolIy exclaimed Gerard.