Year: 1869

OIOns ohu OLA SlSN N~0AN~ 49, SahA AA.1'


When he returned to consciousness
he was lying in strange room. He
tried to remember where he was, and
how he came there; he tried to raise
himself up, so as to get a better view
of the room and its furniture, but he
found he was too weak to move. He
sank into a quiet sleep, and did not
waken until evening, when he opened
his eyes. There was a subdued light
in the room. Our hero made slight
movement. Instantly some one came
to the bedside. Ralph unclosed his
eyes, and shey fell on the sweet face
of Annie-but how changed. Her
once round face was thin and pale,
her eyes were sunken as with long
watching; she seemed a mere shadow
of her former self. When she saw that
Ralph was conscious,s she left the room.
Presently Mr.. Leaton and the doctor
entered; the latter looked at Ralph,
felt his pulse, mixed soothing COR
dial, and went out. Mr. Leaton ad-
vanced to the bedside, and inquired
if he felt any pain.


"No; but | feel very weak. Where
am I--how came | here ?"


"One question at time" he said
smiling; "you we're wounded in the
fight, and was brought here. Now
try and go to sleep, for you are very
weak"


Mr.. Leaton took up book and sat
down by the bed while Ralph slept.


1t was many weeks before Ralph
was able to be out in the glad sunshine
again. He then learned how he came
in the house with Annie. When he
stood there with Murden, the shout he
heard came from men Of Ralphs com
pany, and the brave old captain rush
ed into the house and up the stairs
just in time to see a burly ruffian club
bing his rifle to strike our hero. He
put the muzzle close TO his head and
fired, not however, before the blow
fell, he not being quick enough on the
ground to prevent it. The blow came
near killing Ralph. The robbers were
either killed or captured. Murden
was found dead where he fell, the blow
that our hero had given him being the
stroke that sent that guilty soul to It's
last account.


One fine afternoon, when Ralph was
able to sit up, he had his chair wheel.
ed out on the yerandah to enjoy the
warm air. He saw some one coming
"a young girl; as she approached he
saw it was Mary Clay. he greeted
her warmly, and then she told hin
how, after Murden had gone, she rode
to the camp of the Americans, where
she found party of dragons. They
started at once for the plantation
where they captured the robbers.


Raj ph served his country during the
entire war. He was promoted twice
for brave conduct, and at the close O.
the struggle for liberty, he returned tc
the Leaton plantation, where his prom
ised bride was awaiting him.


The time had come when Annie
Leaton was to become Mrs. Bowden
The old mansion was ablaze witt
light, and the guests WBre breath
lessly awaiting the entrance of tht
bride. There were faces there will
scars won in hard fights for theiI
homes and families, against the minion.
of a tyranical king. We will not at
tempt to describe the wedding, for w
have neither the space nor the time t
do so.


Mary Clay was not forgotten. He
mother being dead, she was offered ;
home in the family at the plantation
where she was treated as one of thei
dearest friends.


Little more remains to be tolds
peace now reigned in the country
things were beginning to look bright
er, farms were being cultivated, clear
ings made and houses going up; 5,
all were as busy as bees. Ralph an,
his lovely wife love to sit on the vc
randall in the warm summer twilight
and talk of the days gone by-of tn
struggle and Death of the Demon Q
the Swamp.