Year: 1878

have her.


If she would not, of ber own ac


cord, she would be forced to do ~


they wished and to carry out thi


threat, the day was set for the wed


ding and to leave no avenues fo


her escape the would-be bride


groom, Sllas Hall, had procured


some of Tarleton's minions tc


guard the home of Amos derlin


unde: the plea that it was in dan


ger CT being robbed by the patriots


who were known to be lurking neal


at hand.


This was the condition of affairs


at the time our story opens, and


we now proceed to take up the


thread of the narrative.


1t was the afternoon proceeding
the day on which Rose was to be
forced to become the wife of Silas
Hall.


In spite Of her protestations her
uncle did not alter his ayowed
purpose.


The wife of Silas Hall you shall
be! ! he cried. L have sworn il.
and l shall Mt be turned from my
purpose


Never, never!' = cried Rose in
desperation. Do not hope for 1t 4;
my lips shall never speak the
words that shall bind me to thai
old villain ; | will die first


You need not speak them unless
you wish to. Parson Sabine will
not be particular. Silence gives
consent


The afternoon in question Rose
sat alone in Il little apartment off
from the drawing room. Size was
thinking of the cells that were clos
ing around her, and the chances
there were for her escape to them.
The black boy, Pip, had returned
and the message he brought awoke
a hope in her heart. If it were
possible to save her she knew that
Captain Blake would do it. She
knew his heart well, and felt be
would give his own life freely, il
hSeu te, 10 save er.


She Was thinking of him, and
hoping that it would not be long
ere she would be folded once more
i'll his arms, when her thoughts
were disturbed by a rap at the
door. Thinking that it might he
the maid or the boy Pip, she bade
the applicant enter. The door
opened aud much to her disgust
she saw Silas Hall standing before
her.


She arose from her seat with the
intention of quitting the room.-
The presence of her suitor was at
all times distastefnl to her, and his
coming upon her now was doubly
so. He OWNED Ter motions. an3 |
took step forward as though for
the purpose OF arresling her steps. |


Rose do not be So cluel as to
leave me-, he said Tomorrow is
to be our wedding day and there is
much that | would say TO yoo.'


She made no answer to the words |
of the man she ahhorrea, but with
II stately mein moved as though I
she would leave he apartment.


Sllas Hall stepped forward, and |
made Il motion as though he would
lay his hand upon her shoulder.


Back, villain / she led. Leave
the room, your presence is unwel
come here !


why so cruel Rose; what does
it matter? To morrow you'll be
niue. Let us speak now of the
happiness there is in So ore for US.


He laid his hand upon her arm
and attempted d to draw her toward
him.


She shook him off as though his
touch polluted her, and the next
Instant she had drawn IL long sleD
der dagger from her bosom, aud |
held it towards him in a menacing
III amer.


He fell back step holding out
his hands AS though to ward off
the expected blow.


Put up that toy, Rose; his is
bu' foolish play. Of all the men
10 the world you would not harm
your promised hnsband.'


No, would not harm him. He
is NOT here. 1t is against you,
black hear'ed villain, that i would
defend myself +


This is foolish tnlk, Rose; you
that in few hours you are to be
my wife,


Il know DO such thing, Silas
Hall Rather thar be your wife, if
| were forced to take my choice,
would plunge this dagger iuto my
own hearth


She turned the point of the wea
pom towards her and made n mo
ton as til ough she was half minded
to strike the blow of which she had
just spoken.


Evidently Silas Hall thought shs
meant to do what she said, and as
her motions indicated, for he took
another step towards her as though
for the purpose of arresting her