Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1913-04-09
MAID OF THE PALISADE
BY BELLE kANARIs MANDATES.


more pretentious than one would ex'
pect to find in so primeval time
and place This oasis of modernity
was encircled by a palisade. AS ne
drew near, the gate was unbarred by
a brawny servant, to whom the man
tossed the bride as he dismounted.
AS he went toward this house,
slender, girlish form with eyes of corn
flower blue and a skin of snow and
roses came out to greet him. His
stern features softeued as he stopped
to kiss her.
"Myla, my child" he murmured ten
derly as they went up the steps to-
gether.
1t was for her. his motherless daugh-
ter, his all, that he had built this pail
saded palace In the forest and h&6
guarded it so je~ ously from every in
truder.
A nun.like life lived the fair Myla.
who was known far and wide as the
beautiful Maid of the Palisade."
Fate stepped in the very next day.
when the stern Master Mollins again
iourneyed away on his red-brown
horse. Myla accompanied him to the
towering pine which marked the
boundary of her freedom. Then with
q goodbye, she turned and retr;iced
her steps, A road to the right inred
her. She strayed aimlessly from her
beaten path and wandered at will.
She soon paid the price. A lort of
fellow stepped from behind tree.
"And SO the Maid of the Palisade is
freed at last" he cried with a leer,
planting himself in her path.
Myla cried out in fright. The man
stepped nearer. And theu came a
knight to the rescue in the person of
one Capt. Philip Darcy. who knocked
the fellow senseless. Then he turned
to Myla, and her eyes, admiring. trust
ing, met his own. They walked to-
gether through the deep woods, and
she chatted to him freely Of her close
ly guarded life.
"And you are content to live this
hermit life?" he asked earnestly.
Il am very happy she assured
him. land no danger has ever come
to me until today. I was we'll pun
ished for my disobedience in not re-
turning directly home.
Are you sorry" asked the captain
In low, vibrant tones, that you turned
from your PATH"
No" she answered sweetly and shy
ly. Il am glad!"
He walked home with her. but she
bade him leave her before they reach
ed sight of the stern warder at the
gate.
81 shall come tomorrow" said the
young captain grayely. when your
father is here"
Hearts moved quickly in those days.
and the captain returned the next day
a wooer, but Master Gregory Mollins
ruthlessly repulsed his advances and
bade him begone never to return.
IF 1t must be that my daughter wed
some day. when she Is much older. |
will never give her to soldier he
declared
Love would have laughed at pali-
sades, but war claimed the young cap
tain's services and he must needs ride
away
Faith and hope thrived in Myias
heart, but when the war was ended
and a long time elapsed with no word
from the young soldier. she began to
fade like flower too much in the
sun. When fever contagion was car
ried by a servant to the palisaded for
est-house. Myla proved ready victim.
A physician was summoned from
jamestown, and the crisis was passed
successfully, but Myla remained weak
and enervated
II have done all in my power" the
doctor frankly informed the agonized
father. but this is condition that
battles my knowledge. There is a
young doctor lately come to James
town whom I should like 70 bring here
In consultation"
Master Mollins consented. but he
chanced to be asleep when the young
surgeon called. When he awoke. he
learned that the new doctor had made
his visit and departed. He went to
the sick room. There was look OF
the old Myla In the face upon the
pillow. The nurse followed him into
the hall.
"The new doctor seemed to put new
life and strength into her with the
mere touch of his hand upon her
wrist" she informed him.
The fa0her eagerly awaited the COM
ing Il Myla's savior the next morning:
He met him at the door
''Yru!" he thundered, looking into
the grave eyes of Philip Darcy What
iptriEWe is this? How dare you pre-
tend 70 be a dL0aor!"
Il an a DOCTOR" replied the young
man q:etly Il was surgeon in the
army. settled here in jamestown to
be near her. I can save her life"
In ST; ace the father led him to the