Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1908-11-03
And my gallant bay is killed."

"
where's that Molly-where's Molly
Sparks?" cried Travis; IF she has es-
capped, I'm lost. All the mischief that's
happened tonight we owe to her-blast
the girl! Where is she?"
I'VE cannot stop to pursue her now,
said Thornton; 80 let us hasten back
to the inn, for the night is far spent
and 1 must join Tyron tomorrow. Miss
Jessie, you will be obliged to return
home with u.s."
Still maintaining her stubborn 81
lence, Jessie was placed on another
horse, and the party proceeded swiftly
back to the old tavern. Mike Travis
and George Thornton rode beside her,
but the inn-keeper shrank, cowed and
ashamed, before the indignant glances
of his child; and her Tory lover, find
ing that she paid not the slightest at
tention to word he uttered, was COM
PEELED to relapse into silence also. They
reached the inn at last, and then Jes-
sic found herself indeed a captive. To
ley Campbell had slept, she was con-
Quoted by Thornton, but the place was
vacant, and not one sign Of recent strife
anywhere visible.
George Thornton" said Jessie, with
pale, quivering lips, where is Hartley
Campbell-what have you done with
him?"
"Ah my pretty lady-bird has found
her voice at last" said Thornton,
mockingly; Il have reason to believe
you overheard a conversation tonight,
Miss Jessie, that was not intended for
your ears, and in some unaccountable
manner you found means to warn the
young rebel Of his danger; consequent
ly, we found him ready for resistance
and We did not kill him. But he and
Jonas White are both prisoners in my
hands, and his hours are numbered"
A stified shrek broke from Jessie.
mo, no! you will not harm him-you
dare not! Oh, George Thornton, hear
my prayer-for the love Of heaven,
Spare Hartley Campbell!" replied
Thornton, scornfully; mot so, sweet
Jessie; and yet, by my faith, will give
you chance to save him. Consent to
be mine and he shall go free-refuse,
and he dies at sunrise!"
A convulsive shudder shook Jessie's
slender form from head to foot; then
she turned her clear, blue eyes upon
him, and calmly said
George Thornton, 1 have no words
to tell how I scorn and loathe you!
You are a perjured traitor, and the
contemplate minion Of a cruel tyrant,
and am rebel girl who would suffer
the darkest death rather than become
your wife!"
Then l swear Hartley Campbell shall
die!" and with lowering brow and lips
compressed in angry passion, Thornton
stalked from the room.
With her sunny hair drifting in
disheveled masses over her shoulders,
and her fair hands clasped tight upon
her throbbing heart, Jessie Travis
walked back and forth across her mar
row prison through all the remaining
moments of that dreary night. One
hope still cheered her-Mary had es-
caped and, with the dark threat Of
Thornton ringing in her ears, she clung
tenaciously to the thought that aid
might yet arrive in time to rescue
Campbell. There was sound Of
mingling voices below and faint beam
of light struggled in at the open win
dow. Then Jessie knew that the night
had passed away and that the hour of
deadly peril was at hand.
Soon a step approached her door,
the fastenings were withdrawn, and
the stately figure of Thornton darlened
it's portal "Come!" was all the Tory
said.
Knowing how useless it was to re-
sist, Jessie obeyed the command, and
quietly followed him as he proceeded
down the stairs and into the garden
adjoining the tavern. Near the door
stood Jonas White, bound and closely
guarded, and at no great distance from
him the shuddering Jessie beheld Hart
ley Campbell with file of Hessian
soldiers drawn up before him.
Jessie Travis" said Thornton, "in
five minutes the sun rises over yonder
hill. If, in that time you do not prom
ise to become my wife, Hartley Camp
bell must die a soldiers DEATH"
livid hue settled round Jessie's lips
she looked in agony at Campbell.
For Gods sake, do not promise!" he
cried passionately.
BE mine!" persisted Thornton.
Never" said Jessie, firmly.
Jessie, girl, for shame!" cried Mike
Travis. will you let the poor lad die
when a word of yours can save him?"
At that moment bright beam fioated
over the hill top, and downtown, till
it rested on the fair, white brow OF
Hartley Campbell.
Mercy Mercy" shrieked Jessie, as
she threw herself at the feet Of Thorn
| ton. spare nlIll. SPARE lllIli'
His fate is in your hands," answered
Thornton, bending his fierce, dark eyes
upon the half-frantic girl, "for the last
time l will give you chance to save
him."
II will die with him." cried Jessie, In
cold, quivering tones; and before a
hand could be extended to stop her
she had sprung to her feet, reached
Campbelrs side, and twined her arms
around him.
Take her away, Travis!" shouted
Thornton.
Ready, men! One!"
At the fatal word every musket was
raised and pointed toward the. young
patriots heart.
Two"
A wild, ringing cry burst out from
Jessie Travis, and it was answered by
| the sharp report of a dozen rifles, ano
over the garden wall came dashing