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"■v. —■ rucatioTV pmance .scienc e JOHN H. SEALS, | proprietor* *3 PER ANNUM, IN ADVANCE. TERMS, j NO. 19. [For Tbe Sunny South.] MV WEE WHITE ROSE. BY MRS. MARY WARE. Oh, where is the baby we borrowed— The fairest young bud of them all— The little white rose that I cherished? My hungry heart echoes the call. The little white form in the cradle— The cooing, and prattling and all— The little ripe mouth full of kisses— The soft, mellow laugh in the hall! 0 baby! I loved you, my darling— So winsome, so dainty and small; 1 listen to catch the sweet music That memory can only recall! The summer has gone out of blossom, And the leaves are beginning to fall, And the little white rose that we borrowed Is gone with the sunshine and all! The song-birds have gone like the summer. And shadows creep over the wall.— My birdling has flown with the others, And will not come back at my call! Columbiana, September. [Written for The Sunny South.] EDITHA; OR. The Woman Fiend. BY A\ OLD CO\TKIIUTOK. CHAPTER III. Amalia and her mother were conducted by the Duke's emissaries into the audience chamber of the palace, where his Highness, half-reclining iti a chair of state, sipped a potent beverage from the golden flagon just handed him by a kneeling page. Behind his chair stood Aloredo, motion less, with his arms crossed on his breast, but with eyes scintillating with restless fire. As the men led forward the unhappy prison ers, the Duke looked up, rose and bowed and smiled mockingly. “ Good evening, fair cousin. I ‘fear that my haste to have you with me has not been pleasant to yon. I must beg your pardon, and will ex plain to yon to-morrow why I requested your presence.” Thus fairly spoke the Duke to Amalia. “Say rather commanded, my lord,” replied Amalia with dignity. “Surely, a request would not be enforced.” “ What! did you refuse to come, then?” cried the Duke angrily. “Yes, my lord, I did refuse,” answered Ama lia: “and if your servants had not forced me from my home, I had at least waited until morn ing to comply with your request.” “Y'ou talk well, young lady,” said the Duke; “hut mayhap if we had waited until to-morrow, we had found but the empty nest. ” “Y'ou say truly, my lord,” said he who had borne the note. “They were preparing to de part when we entered the house, and would only have awaited the return of a young gallant who left them just as we neared the house. He had a companion, who left him at the garden gate, and they went in different directions.” “Say you so, Anselm? Why, Aloredo, what lucky thought inspired you to return and beg me to send for the maiden to-night ?” The Duke turned to Aloredo, who had been standing behind his master’s chair. “I know not, your Highness, except that I saw the artist of whom we were speaking enter the house, and I feared that the morning might be too late. Little as I deserve your kindness, the result proves that I did not seek your aid in vain.” Aloredo bowed with an air of deep humility. “So, then, it is to you that I am indebted for this indignity!" cried Amalia, casting a look of angry scorn upon the Count. “Have a care ot your words,” said the Duke, severely; “it is not fit that you should express yourself in that manner to him who is to be your husband.” “ My husband ! My lord, you err most griev ously. That man will never be my husband !” “I have given my word,” answered the Duke, “and ere to-morrow's sun has set you shall be his wife. Is it not so. Aloredo?” “Y'onr Highness has promised,” replied Alo redo. ' “And I will make good my promise,"said the Duke. “Not so. my lord,” said Amalia, proudly. “Ere to-morrow's sun rises, my husband will de mand me at your hands, and you cannot refuse.” “ What do yon mean, girl?” cried the Duke, springing from his chair and striding to the ■ NAY, DEAREST, I WILL STAY FOR LOVE OF YOU!" ANSWERED THEODORIC, THROWING HIS ARM AROUND HER. “Don't go, Master Theodoric!” exclaimed I Miguel; “that man means mischief.” Miguel had not time to say more, for while Anselm led Theodoric to the Duke, the faithful servant was hurried in another direction. “Oh ! fly, my beloved !” cried Amalia, starting forward and clasping her hands as Theodoric entered the room. “Go away from here, Theo doric, for the love of heaven !” “Nay, dearest, I will stay for love of you,” answered Theodoric, throwing his arm around her. “ Amusing, is it not, Aloredo?”said the Duke, with a sneer, turning to his favorite. “To you, perhaps, my lord.” answered the Count; “but, I must confess, I do not find much “Throw me his dainty coat,” said the Duke, “and while I examine, do you give him one turn of the screws.” • His orders were obeyed, and the white, lithe limbs of Theodoric stretched upon the rack. One turn of the pulleys, and a sharp pang run like fire through his frame. While the Duke turned the costly coat to and fro, tumbling the rich lace and crushing the fine velvet, Aloredo stood beside the rack, looking down in malicious triumph at the noble face of Theodoric. “Now then, young mail,” began the Count, “tell us your name and station and your busi ness here. I strongly suspect you are a spy sent hither by the enemies ofimv lord, who seek some pleasure in it myself; neither would you, your excuse to take from him the favor of his serene Highness, if it were your promised bride pressed in yonder low adventurer's arms!” “You do not then believe that they are mar ried?” asked the Duke. “No, my lord; I still claim her as my prom ised wife.” “ Separate them !” said the Duke to his guards, an>l in an instant the young pair were violently seized and tom apart. “Take the Lady Amalia to her chamber; let her mother remain with her,” commanded the Duke. It was done. “ Now, young sir,” said the Duke, turning to Theodoric, “ give an account of yourself. Who are you ?” “As you have already heard, my lord, I am Theodoric, the artist,” answered the youth. “Whence have you come?” “From Sforza, my lord." “Are you of noble family, young sir?” “Oh! your Highness, my birth is not on an equality with that of the Count Aloredo, and I call no possession in Sforza mine.” “What is your family name, sir artist?” “I have none, my lord, that I care to tell,”an swered Theodoric, quietly. “Y'ou nameless varlet!” cried the Duke, in a rage: “how dare you aspire to the hand of a member of my family ? Do yon hope to wed the Lady Amalia?” “Nay, my lord; we are already wed,” an swered Theodoric. “She is my wife, and I re- 1 quire her from you.” “What insolence! Surely. Aloredo, you are amused at the impertinence of the fellow?” said ; respectfully before him. for the favorite saw that his master was in no mood to be trifled with. “I fear you have drawn me into an evil busi ness, Aloredo,” said he at last. “This fellow may be one of the attendants of the great En- | glish lady who but lately arrived in Sforza and is now royally entertained by the Duchess. If ; this be so, we have ruined ourselves!” “That can scarcely be. my lord,” answered | Aloredo, “for he would quickly have told ns if ! it had been so.” j “Y’ethehad this paper in his breast and did not show it!” exclaimed the Duke, impatiently. “He may not have known its value, my lord,” said Aloredo, meekly. “Do you take him for a fool. Aloredo? Go to; you are more of a fool than he !” cried the Duke, angrily. "And if he really be one of the En- j glish lady’s retinue, your head is in danger!” “But. my lord,” said Aloredo, meekly remon- ! strating, “are you sure it is Sforza's writing that j you hold in your hand?” I “No. I am not sure.” answered the Duke, his ! fit of anger already passed, “but I will he sure before I move any further in this matter. Y’ou the house. He came to attend my father, but he looks on me kindly. He will not refuse me, I know. Can I leave you a few moments, Theo doric?” “Aye, go,” said Theodoric: but as the boy reached the door he spoke again: “ Paulo.” “Did you speak, cousin?” “Aye; you will not be long, Paulo?” said The odoric, wistfully. “Scarce five minutes.” And softly closing the door, Paulo hastened to the rooms of the great physician, who had been sent by the Duke of Sforza, as a mark of great favor, to prescribe for his favorite, the Duke of Tivoli. The door of the ante-chamber was open. A young page sat sleeping in a chair, a dim light burning on a table near him. “Hist, ’Tonia !” said Paulo, resting his hand on the lad’s shoulder; “can I see the doctor?” “ No,” said the boy, rising; “he is asleep.” “But I must see him, ’Tonia; it is a matter of life and death !" cried Paulo. “Is my lord ill?” inquired the boy. “No, but I must see the doctor,” answered Paulo, earnestly. “Now, good ’Tonia, go ask him if I may enter his room.” “But he sleeps, Master Paulo, and must not be disturbed,” said ’Tonia. “Who speaks with you, ’Tonia?” asked a low voice from the next room. “It is I—Paulo,” said Paulo, advancing to wards the inner room. “May I enter, good sir ? ” “Yes, you are welcome, day or night. Paulo,” replied the doctor. “Bring the light with you, and let me know what mighty business calls you from your bed at this hour of the night—or morning; it is near morning, is it not, Paulo?” “Y'es, sir,” replied Paulo, entering the room and closing the door after him; “it is very near morning. Y'ou heard that my father had a young man made prisoner a few hours ago, did you not ?” “I have heard nothing of it,” answered the doctor, lifting his head from his pillow, display ing a fine, venerable face and long locks of snowy hair in the lamplight. •“You have not heard of it, yet it is so. The young man is my dear friend, and they have had him on the rack !” exclaimed Paulo, exci- loLty. Cu : leai oir, gi'e me *©:» ‘'iL.ng for him, or he will surely die !” “I will,” said the physician, gently. “Bring me that case, my child,” pointing to one of dark, soft-finished leather, mounted with silver. ‘ ‘Give him a spoonful of this cordial, and rub his limbs, gently at first, with the liniment con tained in this phial. If he does not shortly expe rience relief, I will go to him myself, though that proceeding would no doubt greatly anger the Duke, your father. Tell me, how did you obtain admission to the prisoner? Was it by your father’s consent ?” “No, honored sir,” replied Paulo. “The men who were to guard the door are now eating their supper in the hall below. They know the prisoner is too much exhausted to attempt es cape, and are not watchful. My little page, at my instigation, stole the big key of the prison- chamber from the pocket of one of the guard while he drank his wine. I must hasten and help my friend before they return. ” And kissing the venerable doctor’s hand and thanking him profoundly, the boy withdrew and • hurried back to the prison-chamber. The guard had not yet returned, being engaged in guzzling their extra allowance of wine, and Paulo trusted that they would not miss the key, and that an hour or two hence he could slip out unobserved while they were sleeping off their potations. He found Theodoric still in great pain, and at once administered the cordial and began to rub his limbs with the liniment he had Highness, the Duke of Sforza. Say, who are you?” “Theodoric, the artist,” answered the pale lips. “Give him another turn, fellow!” cried Alo redo. It was done, and cold drops of agony stood on Tlieodoric’s brow. “Now answer this question self, or I’ll have your limbs trifle with me!” yelled Aloredo. “ Whence came j I will keep him in safety until your .. . - . , you?” i There is also another matter that I will entrust converse with him in whispered tones, lest they “From England,” gasped Theodoric. ! to you, as you are going to Sforza. I have been should be overheard by the guard outside. “Ha! you can speak now? Well, 111 give you thinking for sometime of marrying again. Fame ‘Do you think any indignity will be offered another turn for not speaking before. Give him has spoken loudly of the beauty of this stranger ■ asked rheodoric, huskily, another turn.” lady. See her, Count, and if report has spoken ..* ^°’ re *L a F n ? d Paulo, “khe is my fathers “He'll taint, mvlord, said tbe man who held truly concerning her, do you offer to her my kinsman. His family pride is her safeguard. ~ ‘ ‘ hand in marriage. Go now, and prepare your- I “ B ®‘ the J’ “ a Y force her mto a mama g e wrth self. In the morning von must depart, for I will J miscreant. be but ill at ease until I know how far I have Paulo hesitated a moment and replied: offended the Duke ” “ T wlU tel1 y° u - 1 am S oin g to warn m Y With these words, the Duke unceremoniously c0U8m Amalia not to openly defy the Duke. She dismissed his favorite, and was soon sound must use strategy, and gain time by pretending as j e compliance and asking a short delay for decen- ‘ Aloredo, although it was now nearly daylight, ^’ s 8ake - Ia meantime, I will find means immediately left the palace, and accompanied to P® 4 7 m . liberty Then. Theodoric you by one solitary follower, hastened to his castle. must take Amalla and together fly to that land The villa Guercino was wrapped in darkness, i. “Aye fair lady, I will have my revenge,”' growled Aloredo, as he passed the house. |(i In the morning early, still with but one atten- y ant, tfie Count set out for Sforza. « side of Amalia, who was clinging to her mother's the Duke, with an angry laugh, hand. “What do yon mean? What idle words “Y’es. vour Highness, his assurance is arnusin are these ?” “No idle words, my lord. I am married !” “To whom?" “Theodoric, the artist!” •• He shall die !" cried the Duke, almost chok ing with passion. “I will make you a widow, and Aloredo shall marry you ! I will let you know what it is to attempt to thwart my will! Hark ! there is a summons at the outer gate. Go. Anselm, and if it is he who calls this maiden. ici/e, bring him hither. If there is any one with him. put the follower in close confinement." Anselm left the room, and the Duke turned to Paulo, who had been silently standing in a cor ner of the room. “Paulo, I doubt not you have had some hand in this affair. Go to your room and stay there until I send for you. be it an hour or a week !” Paulo slowly and reluctantly withdrew. At the same moment. Anselm opened the outer gate to admit Theodoric and Miguel. “Is the Lady Amalia within?” asked Theo doric of Anselm. ‘Aye, good sir,” answered Anselm, “and I 1 have orders to lead you into her presence.” enough.” said Aloredo. viciously, “but it grows tiresome. If the fellow will not tell his name and station, why. to the torture-room with him; he will speak there!” “Y'ou have ready wit. Aloredo.” said the Duke, smiling grimly. “ It shall be as you say. YIen. bear him to the torture-chamber!” With these words, Luigi of Tivoli advanced toward the door of the hall, leaning upon Alo- redo’s arm, and followed by his guards, leaving Theodoric with them. Down past doors of iron that clanged heavily behind them — down through long passages where rats and toads encamped and hats whizzed before them—down to a dark and noisome cham ber where horrible instruments of torture were scattered on every side. “To the rack.” said the Duke, indicating the horrible mass of cords and pulleys that cumbered the centre of the room. “'Twere a pity to spoil the poor wretch’s fine doublet," said Aloredo, mockingly. ‘ ‘ Doubtless, the wheel. “He has stood it longer now than any I ever turned for before.” “Furies!” cried Aloredo; “do you dare dis pute with me? Give him two turns !” This order, if carried out, would surely have cost Theodoric his life. ••Hold !” cried the Duke, springing forward, holding Theodoric’s coat in one hand and a paper in the other. “Release him as quickly as possible. He has a safeguard from his High ness, the Duke of Sforza j When the Duke held up the -paper he had found in Theodoric's pocket, Alore started away from his victim, who was immediately lifted from the rack, his lips quivering and his cheeks livid. "I fear we have made a terrible mistake, Alo redo,” said the Duke in a whisper to his friend. “We could have hidden it if your Highness had not let these men know that he has a safe guard from the Duke. Now, I fear that it would not be safe.” said Aloredo, in reply. "Would you kill him?” whispered the Duke. “No, but I would keep him prisoner, that he might not go to my lord Duke with his com plaints,” answered the Count. “These creatures could be silenced.” said the Duke, lowering his voice and glancing at the men: “aye. and this Theodoric too. if it were not for this !” and he savagely struck the paper he held in his hand. “And would yon not dare ” “No.” interrupted the Duke. “Sforza would never forgive me. He is very tenacious of his authority, as you very t?-£-ll know.” “My lord, the young man has fainted,” s" d one of the men who su. ported Theodoric. “Take him to the chamber in the western tur ret, and see that his wants be attended to,” an swered the Duke, hurriedly. “Aloredo, attend me.” have so often told me of. ” i say well, Paulo,” said Theodoric. CHAPTER IY'. the Pale as death, and almost as lifeless, Theo doric was carried to the turret chamber and carelessly laid upon a pallet of dry leaves. Here, alone in his grief and agony, poor Theodoric lay, not a murmur issuing from his pale lips. When an hour was nearly spent, soft footsteps as cended the stairs and halted at the door. The fastenings were carefully undone, and in an other moment the young’Paulo knelt beside his friend. “Ah! Paulo!” murmured Theodoric, a faint ray sparkling in his dull eyes. “Theodoric. my friend, I have come to set a Uii/v tl feel i hene ike tl f refreshed, and will be ready >u call roc. But why may I t now?” rong enough,” replied Paulo; already early dawn.” /',n say well, my cousin. Let jut get my .imalia to a place of safety, and I 0 i not seek for honors. But, Paulo, listen to nj,. It may so chance that we meet not again so early as we wish. Should they remove me to stricter confinement, where you cannot get to me, will you find Miguel and tell him to go at once to Sforza for aid ? He will understand you.” “But he is a prisoner like yourself, Theo doric.” “Ah! I might have known that,” said Theo doric. “I will give you my message then. I hope we may meet again, but if anything should you free !” cried the bov. seizing the languid ha PP en - Paulo > g° to Sforza and seek for an En- band of tbe artist, “You shrink from me! Tori g llshman called Perc y Teynham, and bid him come to Adrielo’s aid.” “Your words sound strange !” exclaimed Paulo, are ill, Theodoric. What have they done to yon ?” “The rack." whispered Theodoric. “ The rack !” echoed Paulo, in tones of horror, tears streaming from his eyes. “Oh! my poor cousin, have they used you so ? You are not able to move?” “Nay; lam in great pain,” said Theodoric, “and very faint, Paulo.” “I will bring you a cup of wine,” said Paulo, Still holding the paper in his hand, the Duke hastily left the dungeon, leaving his guards to ^ ^ ^ he has starved himself many a day to buy it, for bear Theodoric to his chamber, and speaking no starting to his feet, “and I will get you some- I do not speak truth if it is not finer than your word until in the privacy of I own room, he : thing to soothe your aching limbs. The physi- Highness" own !” threw himself into a chair with Aloredo standing cian of his Highness, the Duke of Sforza, is in apprehensively. “Are you sure the wine has not got into your head ?” “I am sure, Paulo; and though my words may sound strange, yet do not forget them. Re member the name—Percy Teynham. All shall he explained to you before long, Paulo: and oh ! if you love me, watch over Amalia.” “Rest content, my cousin, and go to sleep; I will guard her with my life.” Theodoric closed his eyes and Pa*lo contin- < ued rubbing his limbs until sleep came; then,/