Evening capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1888-1893, 1892-04-16

stead of the swordf
The ak is for felons, said the
Countess of Airhe with asperity
you are noble--an Ogilvie; at least
they might have granted you a sol
6ier's death.
You shall not die. my brotherr
cried Flora, with sudden energy,
There is one chance for your escape.
! shrank from disclosing it to you be
fore. for | knew your noble nature
would scorn to accept the alternative.
But l will accept it for you. / had
rather make any sacrifice than see
you die.
What sacrificeg asked Ogilvie.
"'Explain this mystery. demand
ed the countess.
"'Listen. You know Colonel
Roche, your jailer. and co,nmandant
of this town.
An unprincipled hbertine and
reckless adventurer. A soldier of
the German wars, hired by the cant
ing Covenant to fight its battles
Yet still he holds your life in his
hands and possesses the power to set
you free.
Undoubtedly
Then you shall be free.'
My dear Flora. you speak in rid
dies.
My riddle is easily solved. Know
that | have made conquest of this
bluff soldier He has confessed his
love for me and made a proffer Of
his hand.
And youT questioned the count
ess sternly and bridling with sup
pressed wrath.
Laughed in his face
You did well, answered the
countess, modified. What presump
toni An unknown soldier asking for
the hand of Lady Leithintiel That
comes of your covenant-a murrain
on itI
" 1t is not so much the hand of my
sister, mother, that he desires, re-
turned Ogilvie, but the broad lands
and title that hand bestows. We
have indeed fallen upon sad times
when such as he dare to hope for
such alliances. Many a brave man
and noble have already fallen be-
meath the ak, while their estates
have been bestowed upon these
needy adventurers He offered you
some inducement to become his wife
did he not, my sister2-and l can
almost guess what it was
He did 1.-The condition was
precious one your liberty, If con-
sented.
'Neverr said Ogilvie, emphatic
ally; never would / accept my
liberty at such price.
:" i care not--I would wed fiend,
if that would save your cried Flora,
with energy. Mother, he is your
youngest born-you will not see him
die-urge him to consentl'
"'Flora, you are mad to think of
such an act, replied the countess
coldly. Death is but an instant's
ang-disgrace eternal. The es-
cutcheon of the Ogilvies has never
been stained by a mesalliance. Think
of it no more
"Flora burst into tears and fell
upon her brothers neck.
"'Oh, she cried reproachfully, I
can save you and you will not let
me.
There may be another method
of escape, said the countess, musing
ly. You may risk death for him,
but not disgrace. A plan has this in
stant suggested itself to me. You
are nearly of the same height-the
color of your hair and eyes the same; !;
why not change clothes with him9
He could leave the dungeon with me,
undiscovered.
"'And leave my sister here to suf
fer indignity at the hands of my cap
tors2 Neverr cried Ogilvie passion
ately.
"'Tut, boy, returned the coun tess
impassively, they will offer her no
indignity they can but keep her
prisoner a short time and then release
her
Consent, dear Lionel exclaimed
Flora eagerly. i care not what be-
comes of me so that you escape.
"Ogilvie required but little urging;
the hope of life sprung up in his heart
once more; the plan seemed indeed
feasible and easy of accomplishment
and there was really no apprehen-
sion to be entertained for Flora; the
Covenanters, with all their failings,
were at least men and would not
maltreat woman.
1.-The change of garments was
quickly effected. Ogilvie looked fem
mime enough to deceive any but the
most curious eye. He was but eight
cen and the down scarcely yet shaded
his upper lip. Flora hid her sunny
curls under his broad leaf hat and
walked the dungeon floor with saucy
steps, Haunting her gay doublet with
a reckless air and laughing joyously
at the metamorphosis.
"Ogilvie held her to his heart in a
last lingering embrace, for he could
not altogether forget the peril of
their position, and then the mother
and son hurried from the dungeon.
They passed the turnkey unques-
toned, passed ON through the outer
gate and stood in the open air.
Now, mother, whispered Ogil-
vie, speed to your lodgings, and re
main to watch over Flora's safety.
know friend, who resides near at