Year: 1861

comrades wore all ready busy IN preparing
for their ride, and Vaughan Immediately
occupied himself in saddling his horse.
He had scarcely finished his task when
Harding came out.


~ see you are ready" said he cycling
him keenly, "and have made up for idling
in the bar room. You will attend close
on me to-day-new recruits are apt to be
suspected, and it behoovs them to be espe-
cially ardent" He accompanied these
words with significant smile, which left
Vaughan half convinced that he had been
betrayed.


1t was not long before the party were
in the saddle, and the quick pace at which
they advanced increased the fears Of our
hero that Kitty's scheme would be fail
ure, since even if she proved true, and
succeeded in reaching the American out
posts, succor would be too late.


Imagine the feelings of Vaughan du-
ring the ride. The agony of being bro
ken on the wheel was nothing to it. He
was well aware of the infexible purpose
of Harding, and knew that neither pres
ent supplications nor fears of future re.
tribution would turn him aside from his
fell purpose. Nor could Vaughan hope
to succeed single handed in any attempt
to avert the doom of his betrothed. At
times, from the peculiar look with which
harding regarded him, he was led to think
the refugee penetrated his designs, and
had brought him along to torture him by
the sight of the ruin to be worked at
Headley farm. Yet his look might arise
only from natural suspicion of new re-
cruit. But could Kitty have been false ?
No, her truth was unmistakable, or he
knew nothing of physiognomy. But what
iif there were no dragons at the place
when they arrived? These thoughts agi-
tated him continually. III will die to save
"I will preserve her from profanation by
sacrificing her with my own hand"


With these bitter reflections, he follow
ed his commander, his heart tormented
now by despair, and now pacifed by hope.
At length Hesdley farm broke on their
sight. Our hero looked eagerly in the di-
rectiOn where the dragons, if coming
would appear, but none were in sight
IL was just as evening closed, and all
around wore calm and peaceful look.
He turned sick at heart to gaze ou the
old homstead--and when the thought Of
the desolation soon to fall on that now
happy household, his excited feelings
could scarcely be controlled. But he felt
the necessity if he would even attempt to
save Emily. Forward --trot," said the
voice of Harding at this moment, having
returned from a reconnaissance Of the
building, which he found as he expected,
wholly unprotected then as they reach
ed the house, he shouted in voice which
first told the household Of his approach,
"halt"


Instantly the men drew in their reins,
while the hasty barring of doors was heard
from the house. Ii was the work of a
moment, however, for the assailants to dis
mount, and before long the hall door had
given way before an axe which ore Of the
party carried, though not till shot had
been fred from an upper story window.


"Our motto is beauty and booty" shout
ed Harding as the doer fell in. "Spare
none and avenge your fallen eomrads 4"
With these words he rushed towards the
staircase leading to the apartment which
Vaughan knew to be occupied by Emily.


The crisis which he breathlessly waited
ever since the attack began had now come,
and regardless Of the peril, Vaughan
sprang after his leader, determined to sell
his life or frustrate Harding's dssigns.-
Almost together they ascended the stair
case. The hand of the rufian was on the
lock Of Emily's door-that door which
had been sacred even from Vaughsn's sp-
proach--when our hero arrested il by a
blow with his sabre. which would have
severed Hardings hand had he not caught
the fash of steel and sprang back,


cha, traitor ~ he said comprehending
everything at glance, yet half astonish-
ed at the discovery "Then take that "
And he levelled pistol at our hero, who
saved his life only by knocking up the
weapon with his blade.


In an instant the two excited men had
crossed swords; Harding furious at the
discovery that he had harbored spy, and
Vaughan thirsting for his blood as the
only chance to save Emily.


By this time the refugees were pouring
up the staircase, and for moment they
paused in astonishment at the spectacle
of this unexpected combat. Recovering
from their surprise, they threw themselves
on Vaughan, whom they disarmed and
bound, after receiving many wounds. he
expected nothing now but immediate death
nor did he wish to live Since he could
not save Emily, he desired to die He
would have blessed any one who would
have put an end to his existence. o, why
did my good blade fail me T. he Jried.-
"Why could l not finish the miscreantF p
To add to his distress, one of the servanus
who had been dragged into the hall, re-
cognised him, and revealed his name.


"You are lover, then, of this fair bird
within, as we'll as traitor and spy,
said Harding, hoarse with passion, and
mad with the pain of the wounds he had
received from the sword in Vaughan
hands, "Then you shall witness how she
shall be my leman ere you die"


Vaughan wrthed in mental agony