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WHERE ARE WICKER FOEKS BITBIER?
“Tell rne, grey-haired sexton,” I said,
“Where in this field are the ■wicked folks laid?
1 have wandered the quiet old churchyard through,
And studied the epitaphs, old and new;
But on monument, obelisk, pillar or stone,
1 read of no evil men have done.”
The old sexton stood by a grave newly made,
With hischinon bis hand, his hand on hisspade
I knew by the gleam of his eloquent eye,
His heartiwas instructing his lips to reply,
“Who is to judge when the soul takes its flight?
Who is to judge ’twixt the wrong and the right?
Which of us mortals shall daretosay
That our neighbor was wicked who died to-day?
“In our journey through life the further we speed
The better we learn that humanity's need
Is charity’s spirit, that prompts us to find
Bather virtue than vice in the lives of our kind.
“Therefore, good deeds we record on these stones;
The evil that men do, let it lie with their bones.
I have labored as sexton this many a year.
But never have buried a bad man here.”
»»
FORTY YEARS AGO.’
Drifting Sands from the Mountains
and Foot-hills of Northeast Georgia.
A Brilliant Romance Based Upon Facts.
By G. J. N. WILSON.
CHAPTER XII. Continued.
With the utmost care the letter was placed in
its original position, and a long silence fol
lowed. Each one was too deeply engaged in
thought to find time to speak.
“Like sailing around the world we have ar
rived at our starting point, and know nothing
more than when we began the journey," said
Julins, breaking the painfnl silence. ‘We see
the wonder,’ be continued after another pause,
'but cannot understand it. Who did this ele
gant stitching ? Whose hands traced these lines
now so stained by the finger of time ? Echo
only answers, who? Were it right for Aunt
Penny to know the story they tell, I would be
glad to know her opinion about it. From our
earliest infancy we have both bees objects of
her most tender care and affectionate solicitude.
Constantly, she has been our devoted friend
and kind benefactor. Why, under the circum
stances, she should be so, is almost as great a
wonder as the letter itself. How, Nelly, does
her conduct appear to you ?”
‘Undoubtedly, there is something very
strange about it. Coralie often wondered why
Aunt Penny loved ns so much. At that time j
thought nothing more of her attention to me
than to return the love ; but recently, I have
noticed something extraordinary in her con
duct ; but like you, I do uot understand it. ’
‘Having, myself, beard Coralie speak on this
subject is, perhaps, the reason why my atten
tion was first directed to it. Nothing seems to
escape her ; but she is so careful to keep : her
own counsels that I was never able to learn
much about them. By the way, have you heard
from her since her return home?” I
“O yes ; sevpral times. I have * Matter from
her of recent date. She was in health
when she wrote, and enquired abom! you and
Rainq.” j jfjt
•You are very much mistaken. Collie Sum
merville will never forget you.’ . / y
•I am glad to know that she has r ot forgotten
my dog-a pleasure that he is ; but to live, mv
self, in her memory is a precious boon—a pleas
ure that I did not expect to enjoy. Exonse me
for saying that I had supposed that Horace
Morone filled her mind so entirely that there
was no room for such an obscure individual
myself.'
‘And why did you think so?’
‘I have heard that he is wealthy, well educa
ted, and that his attentions to her were devoted
and oonstant. Besides,, he is certainly good
looking. r
•O Sir , these things do not constitute our
poets standard. According to this measure
ment you think that wealth, education, devoted
attentions, and good looks are sufficient to fill
the mind ?’
‘Not always, but generally so ; and fr* qnent-
ly, the heart as well. Though Watt’s standard
is always trne, it is not always applied
‘Then in a word, yon think our Coralie loves
Horace Morone.'
‘Under the circumstances, I think it reasona
ble and common. *
I was Coralie'a classmate four years. Daring
this long and delightful period, we were con
stantly together, and always on the most friend
ly and intimate terms ; yet I never knew her to
manifest any thing more for Horace Morone
than cold, indifferent friendship. Indeed, she
seldom mentioned his name at all. She may
love him ; but I do not think she dees. With
you, however, I think Horace loved her most
dearly, and his commanding position in life
may eventually win the golden prize.’
•Such things frequently happen, though I had
not expected to hear of Coralie’s coldness and
indifference. Did yon ever hear her brother
Harry speak of Horace as a particular friend?
‘I think not In fact, I am satisfied that
Cousin Harry does not like him, though I never
heard him say so. Exonse me for telling yon
that Harry loves yon as a brother.’
‘lam proud to know that I am respected by
such a man as Harry Snmmerville. My lot is
not a common one. Though bowed down with
the crashing weight of poverty, and in all
probability doomed to lead a life unknown to
fame, still I have the best of friends There
is yourself—my own Nelly.» Pardon me for the
presumption, I cannot say less—I feel more-
more than I dare tell yon. Then there is your
lather, and mother, and brother! There too u
Coralie and Harry-how dear they are to me.
Nor are these all. There is onr eccentric friend
Joe Harper, than whom, his roughness excepted
none could be a friend mere faithful and true’
So is Annt Penny and Calveda noble and gener-
® ns " There too, is that radiant being, Olura
Sundown, the gentle and innocent ‘Lnra’ of my
childhood, and the beantifnl and devoted friend
of my youth. What a glorious list, and still I
oocid extend it. I would not blot one name
lrom it or all the wealth and lame this world
nas lavished npon its teeming millions.’
‘Have yon nothing but’ friendship for any one
of those who are on what yon call, the list of
your friends ? To be plain, is friendship all that
yon can give Coralie Summerville, the queen of
earthly beauty and loveliness? If this be sr. un-
.air question, do not feel under any obligations
to answer it, bnt pardon me for my presnmp-
one we must fade away.’ The answer of the
stars, Nelly, is the answer to your question.
Was there not snoh an immeasurable—such
an impassible gulf—such an insurmountable
barrier between me and those I love, I would
tell yon many things that are interesting to me,
though they might seem of little consequence
to others. As it is. I will not insult your digni-
of money could buj tbem. I have a corres
ponding one which I very moth wish Coralie to
have. The next time you write to her please
ask if she will accept of such a present from
me. ‘
‘With pleasure; bat why not write yourself!'
‘I fear that would offend her. ‘True, I would
very much like to do so; but I tremble at the
ty by drawing a line of distinction between in ; thought of doing anything calculated to give of-
friendship and love felt l^r me for any of those "
mentioned on the list of my friends. I would
give my right arm rather than wound your
feelings further than by ending as I began,—
Did not the snnshine created by the presence
of Nelly Montgomery make my heart cheerml,
absence of Coralie Summerville would make it
so dark and desolate that I could not bear
the pain.’
To her astonishment, Nelly now saw that
Julius made but little, if any difference between
herself and Coralie, and wishing to direct his
attention from the subject, said after a pause—
‘I find that you include Olura Sundown
among your friends. As you perhaps know
Lnra and I have been bronght up together, and
1 an. glad to know that she is on your list. I
love that fair Indian girl as I do Coralie nerself.
fence. Were she present, I would venture to
ask her myself.’
‘Then, as you are so very sensitive on this
point, I will write for you; but I can safely say
that Coralie would receive both the present and
the letter announcidj} it, with the greatest pleas
ure. ’
‘With all respect for your opinioa, lam afraid
to make the experiment. Please accept my
thaubs for your promise to write for me.’
‘You need feel under no obligations to me.
Whan you have served me so well, it would be
sneer cruelty in me to disregard your wishes.
Besides, as i beforesaid, I will take pleasure in
serving you.’ v “''
‘I feel grateful for these assurances, and hope
that I will not lessen my claim to them by ask
ing you to accept the picture that I have
There is not on all this earth a purer being. I I brought, for you-^hou»h I am too hasty. It will
once heard a young man remark - What a pity
she is an Indian.’ He afterwards became ac
quainted with her, and finding that her charac
ter was as perfect as her beauty—that she was
by'nature and education his own superior, and
almost the equal of any one else—that her sweet
disposition and prepossessing manners were be
yond all praise, he fell desperately in love with
her, and offered her his heart and hand.
Though a handsome gentleman of wealth and
distinction, she rejected him in a mild, but very
decided manner, and then came and told me
about the affair. He was so sadly disappointed
that he emigrated to the West, and she heard
nothing more of him until last year, when she
met him in St. Louis, where he had established
himself as a lawy er of distin guished ability. He
again declared his love for her; bnt as before she
rejected his suite, and plainly told him that she
never would give her hand away nnless her heart
went with it. This little affair is given as an
item of her heart history, and, in order to fur
ther illustrate her social position, I will state
that she and 1 attended the saute school in the
city of New Orleans, and while there, even Cor
alie Summerville was not more popular than
Olnra Sundown. I have also been with her in
the city of New York, and in that great throb
bing heart of American life, she was the centre
of every circle in which she moved. But the
crowning glory of.her life remains to be told—
her greet popularity had no tendency to make
her anything bnt Olnra Sundown—pure, mod
est, gentle, beautiful Lnra, as we generally call
her. But she needs no praise from me. Her
personal charms, her exalted character, her in
tellectual attainments, and her gentle nature,
are all well known to yon; but I am in posses
sion of a part of her history of which yon are, in
all probability, entirely ignorant.’
‘If you are at liberty to do so, please tell me.
Anything relating to her is, for various reasons,
exceedingly interesting to me.’
T can tell yon bnt no other. Lura loves yon,
Julins, and only yon!—her first, her last, and
her only love.’
At this announcement Julius bowed low his
head, and placing bis hands over his face, tears,
in dewy drops, fast gathered in his eyes. To
find that the boon of love which had been court
ed by many of the proudest in the land, was
reali'x and singly bestowed npon him, so over
came his sensitive heart that he trembled like a
leaf inYhe wind and exolaimed:
a particular cannot*-now give y^an
analysis of my feelings for her; but in very deed
I am her friend, even to the last drop of my
hearts blood. I also know that she from child
hood has been a very dear friend of mine; but
1 had not thought of being the object of ner
love-her only love. Iam aware of the power
of her charms over others, and that many have
sued in vain for her heart. To be the object of
that love pays me a compliment that I am not
worthy of receiving.’
•I have told yon of onr Lora’s heart-history
because I know that you will never, learn it from
her, nnless, indeed, her love be returned. She
says she knows her affection for yon is hope
less; that her race if nothing else, forever shuts
her out of your heart; that she will bear the in
tolerable thought with all the fortitnde possible;
that for yonr sake Bbe would love your bride,’
and that she will find what little consolation she
can in knowing that she will never be another’s,
either of her own, or any other race. She is
fully satisfied in her own mind that yon love
Coralie more than all others; but she is neither
jealous nor revengeful. On the contrary, she
loves her rival for your sake, and would do any
thing in her power to make her happy. I have
known her to look at Coralie for a long time,
while tears were streaming from her eyes!
Doubtless they were tears from the fountain of
sorrow—a sorrow which thoughts of your loss
had collected in her breast, and placing a rival
where herself would so dearly love to dwell,
they gushed forth in anguish unknown to others!
This explains the reason why she arose to her
feet when Coralie was reading on the last day of
school. There is no telling how much Lura
suffered on that occasion. No one bnt herself
will ever know ! The unearthly appearance of
the reader told her plainer than words can ex
press, that her equal in beanty and loveliness,
and her superior in race in wealth was there to
fill the heart for which she wonld freely give
herself a sacrifice. Iteel that Iam doing her
no injustice by making these revelations.
Though she has never given me authority to do
so, still I hope to serve her in some material
way. My love for her is so great that it wounds
me to the heart to know she suffers. I do not
ask if yon love her in return. I know you love
her—you cannot avoid it. Bnt then yon may
iove her for the same reasons that I do—for her
sweet, gentle nature, and matchless beanty.
For these reasons, Harry Snmmerville says he
loves her, and for these alone. Bnt I think he
is mistaken. He loves her because she fills the
highest claims of manhood's most noble affec
tions—fills;
be time enough to decide when you see the
painting. Where is Lnra?‘
•Excuse me and I will bring her in myself.
She will be less embarrassed if I am with her;
and her constant care to please me in even the
smallest particuhr. jrovkes me desire to be eqai-
ly careful to conTxitef her wishes.*
With queeniy step, like that of former days.
Nelly left the room in search of her friend. For
tunately she found her reading in the library
room, whither she bad gone but a few minutes
before. Julius was engaged in deep thought
when, ere he was aware of their presence, Nelly
returned with the blushing beauty. After form
alities usual on such occasions, Julius conduct
ed her to a seat, and thus addressed her;
‘It is I, Lura, who requests the pleasure of
your company on this occasion. When we were
children, we together chased the butterflies and
gathered the wild flowers that bloomed along
our pathway. Those were happy days and we
did not know it. I have often thought of them,
and wished for their return; not, perhaps, so
much for the rptjjfn of the days as for the sun
shine of your bright and happy smiles. Since
that time the force of circumstances has widely
separated r.s, and I have seldom had the pleas
ure of your company, I have, however, often
heard from you, and one of the principal pleas
ures of my life has been the good report that
has, on all occasions, been connected with your
name. Yon have enjoyed the advantages of a
good education, while your humble playmate
has been leit to toil in thetread-mill of poverty
without a singly day of training in school. I
have howeveiy had the assistance of friends
whose kinds es'ET'and generosity have enabled
me to make some progress in life; and among
other things I have made painting an object of
the most careful and unwearied study. Among
my most successful efforts in this department
are two portraits which are intended to repre
sent yourself and our mutual friend, Nelly
Montgomery, as I saw you the last time before
the work begun. Though drawn from
memory, thejTvginals were so deeply engraved
that I flatter myself so far as to
lod representations of those fea-
ike the mind of every beholder
miration. I left tbem in the
them in for your examin
ed his head, ‘I am pledged to her service until I damp cold hall chilled bis
y B 1 made him shiver, and when at length he looRea
upon the door, which the noise within tola him
1 . , . .. iL. e .r n l mwinrifl lntv
death.'
‘And she,’ continued Videmar, ‘die8 in an
hour on account of her folly, but yon I am dis
posed to spare and promote. Why bring down
my vengeance on your head, when you could
spend the residue of your days in usefulness
and honor?’
‘My lord,’ answered the old man, and his
voice grew eloquent, ‘von have seen the storm
clouds gather, and joining the bla#t, sweep on
was the judgment hall, the fearful uncerta inty
concerning her overpowered him, anu he sank
unable to move. _
A rough command was given by the omcer
conducting the prisoner, and the honest soldier
with a blush offered his arm and the knight
leaning on this snpport entered the apartment
of death, where the sight of the princess, proud
spreading terror and destruction. You have | and haughty restored him and he walked with
seen the river as the torrent reached its bed | a firm step through the mailed tor ms, anu as-
arise, and boiling its waters with the floods of eroded the platform, bnt was kept at a distance
heaven, bear down all the pride and beauty of j from the lady
upon my mi:
think them
tures which
with wonder 1
library and
ation. ‘
Julius has
ed with
i • —4JWes
inimitable ^ £e „ ,
with an exclq .tion of surprise at the beautiful
,he room, but soon return
ed presented them to Nel-
manner in w* h the work was executed, and its
faithfulness t he originals.
When they ad thanked the artist for the in
valuable treas ^:es, and had for a long time gazed
its suores. Yet it seemed awfully fitting that
these leafy monarchs which had breasted the
fury of a hundred storms should perish in the
universal ruia. How different from that lone
tree, which, spared by the spoiler’s axe, sees its
brethren fallen around if, until poisoned by the
rank vines which feed upon its strength, it dies,
a wasting, wretched death, My lord, history is
but the counterpart of nature. In this storm of
human passions, when the great are falling
around me, it would be a grand exit to mingle
my blood with the noble and good. But to sur
vive my sovereign would be mocking life while
my heart and hopes are dead. Het the same
sentence that decides her fate speak mine, and
grant me to attend her whether in form or spir
it. You claim to admire fidelity, oh ! pity mine
and iet death seal its perpetuation.
‘Your own mouth has spoken your sentence,’
replied the officer, as he gave a signal to the boI-
diers who seized the old man shivering with
cold, and led him followed by a hooting, hiss
ing crowd to a scaffold where he was asked if be
had anything to sky.
‘Mine enemies,' cried the old man, with his
white hair waving in the wind,‘ye few that have
together come, to see the last of an old man’s
sufferings, restrain for an instant your passions
and allow a sinking sun to set in peace. 1 am
not wearied with the service of earth, though
my arm has grown so weak as scarcely to avail,
nor do I mourn this fall of a withered oak.
Death is frowning on one whom men have term
ed the faithful. How well my allegiance de
serves that term is shown by the record of sev
enteen who bore my name, aii having died for
their honor and their king, as I do now* Oh
God, on the last bearer of my name I ask thy
blessing. I would counsel him but ’
‘Speak on,’ said a voice from th^crowd,‘and I
will be your messenger.’
‘Tell him,’ continued old Stephen, ‘let God
and honor be bis monitors. Difficulties over
come award us blessings, and if within him
comes a shrinking from honorable endeavor,
either to kill the fear or himself. Let him be
ware of shedding blood, but having engaged in
strife, acquit himself so as to make the cause go
with his bead or his head go for the cause. I
will not urge his valor, for when it becomes his
part to fight, his cue is known without a prompt
er, and should he meet my slayers, instinct will
draw a Turnham's blade to drink a traitor’s
blood.’
‘Down with him !’ cried the rabble, and a
blow on the old man's head sent him reeling
forwards. 'Father !' ne exclaimed, as he clasped
his hands before the block, ‘into thy hands 1
commit my spirit.’
He bowed his form, the axe gleamed through
the air, then buried itself in the block. The
bloody bead w&s snatched up and waved in the
air, while the rabble hissed and shouted, until
having bronght a long pole, they stufkf ft on
that, and then all as by common int»linb*| gath
ered on the battlement under the captive's apart
ment and thrust the bloody head up at the pris-
warrnth.of feeling which on bars. ^ i
girls received the pre&Kfc -^ST^^J^without cbnoe^uWmsperi&d to^
*- bride and crossed to the grating. Stephen s
bloody head met him while from below, came
corses on his name, and be turned quickly away
for fear the princess might see, but his precau
tion was too late, for the princess had also wit-
upon them in ilent admiration, Jniius inter- nessed this unsightly greeting of her old sqnire,
rupted their r erie by saying: j and her cup of sorrow was drained to its dregs!
‘Comfort VOnnwtlf pnnnnrnina hi™ • —; J . i.
‘Since you h e so highly gratified me as to
receive my hnu-cle offerings, will yon be so
kind as to keep them in remembrance of me.
You are not only welcome to them, but to any
other effort that I may be able to make in yonr
behalf. I thank you for this pleasant interview,
and regret that time breaks in npon the delight
ful intercourse, and summons me away. May I
indulge the hope that our meetings may be more
frequent than heretofore, and have the consola
tion of knowing that I will not be an intruder
upon your time and patience?’
The speaker was standing with his hat in one
hand, and the other so extended as to have the
ladies understand that he was ready to wave
them an affectionate adieu. They readily inter
preted the signal given, and rising to their feet
as the sentence was concluded, they nodded a
willing assent to his earnest enquiry, and Ju
lius Latraine sadly left the room. He thought
fully directed his steps towards Azilia, where
he found Joe Harper, who, having heard of Nel
ly’s recovery, had again made his appearance in
society. An hour or so was spent in conversa
tion, after which Joe returned home, and again
Julius resumed the study of his books which
were to him:
‘A oooling fountain in a weary land;
A green spot on a waste and burning sand;
A rose that o er a ruin sheds its bloom;
A sunbeam smiling o’er the cold, dark tomb.
(To be Con tinned.!
The hall in which the scene of murder was to
be enacted, was one in which justice or injus
tice was meted out. The broad door through
which they entered led down an aisle to a raised
platform large enough to hold some hundred
persons, on the rear of which a throne was
erected, while some dozen seats were ranged
around it for the chief dignitaries. Ip the
highest seat was Videmar, his face horribly dis
torted by the scars and passion it exhibited,
while on his right hand sat his highest officer,
and the varions seats were occupied according
to rank, while all beside the aisle were crowded
by brutal men aDd brutish women, the crowd
increasing after the entrance of the captives
so as to throng the room almost to suffocation.
The stage was covered with black, and dark
sombre curtains drooped around, while in the
centre was a block, and beside the block a
masked executioner, while a veiled assistant
stood near with ropes for binding the prisoners.
Below Videmar stationed and drawn up in a line
surrounding the captives, who were on oppo
site sides of the platform, was a dismal line oi
soldiers, and another file with drawn swords
was standing below.
After the knight had taken his seat, a gloomy
silence prevailed until the friar dressed in gor
geous robes, descended from tis seat near ’Vid
emar, and lacing the prinoess said:
‘Berengeria of Navarre, will you accept mercy
and become the wife of Baron Videmar t
‘There was such stinging disdain in th6 ‘nev
er !’ which burst from the lips of the princess,
that Videmar withered beneath it and bit his
lips until the blood gushed out.
‘H* ar then,’continued|the friar, ‘your doom.’
For naving broken the laws of the land by re
bellion, and for having broken the laws of the
church in holding with an unknown and suspi
cious character. unlawful intercourse, you shall
expiate yonr crimes with yonr head, and this so
called knight shall die likewise after which his
body shall be quartered and exposed.
‘Have either, aught to say before sentenoe is
carried into execution ?’
The princess looked at the knight as if in
doubt, and he with royal majesty arose and
said:
‘Determined to discharge evey duty to our
selves and our maker, we have seized every
pretext for our release. In the form of Baron
Videmar we appeal to power, and lo ! in him
power stigmatized itself oppression. With
you friar as mediator we sent our appeals to heav
en, and lo it echoed back from the soul of that
unholy man in blasphemy, and now in this
last scene of blood we appeal to you judges, and
lo ! they stain the purity of their ermine in the
blood of innocent victims. We therefore close
our eyes upon earthly wrongs to open them in
that land, where the wicked cease from troub
ling and the weary are at rest. Above us where
, the secrets of all hearts shall be revealed, and
justice blended with mercy, stands a great white
throne, whose beams of light piercing the ut
termost realms of space, Shine this morning on
this deed of violence and shame. Why heaven
allows such iniquife=»we cannot comprehend,
but wo now to almighty decrees, and as your
iniquity seals our lips, we yeild our souls back
to God who gave them.’
Sir Biondel paused and seemed uncertain
abont resuming his seat until he did so by a
signal. Berengeria bad regarded her kinght
with trust and admiration, that heeded nothing
else, and after he ceased -peaking, she was not
aware that all eyes were npon her, and that the
greedy executioners stood waiting for her per
son.
But when Videmar gave a groan of despair
Comfort yourself concerning him,’ said the
knight, ‘for bis sufferings are ended,and mourn
not your less for he will soon be restored.’
•God has been so merciful,’ answered Beren-
geria, ‘in sparing us to each other, that I can { his < ffioer”cried:
only bless his name, while to my old faithful | ‘Proceed !’
^Ind^he^for^ffiw 1 momenta th n ! And the executioner with a grufl call offered
capuves were foritfnl^f the lU " 8t ! ,0 “ his to raise her from her seat. At his
awaiting them alUheri I to °°h she arose without him. and stood pas-
awaitingthem, all their hopes and fears centred sively, while the fierce assistant seized her
in each other, when the door was opened and
while guards, who never moved their eves, were
n I n 11 rx /i an tli aih «»_ _ 1 • 11 , « . *
hacds and drawing them behind her, bound
them with cords until the blue veins seemed
Ktatinnari in thnir raav all * T. Wll “ wruH uuiu me oiue veins seemea
isrja ittrjsx'stzt < «““■ jsj?s? «
durea alf^Uh «! Jeer ! Dg at th - em ‘ 1 b 1 ? t the y en * from her head, to bare her neck for the
dared all with the patience of sublimity until I eyes were uazincr thronah the
axe, her
that their sufferings would soon be ended.
‘Knight,’ spake the princess, ‘the darkest hour
of our lives summons our fortitude and must
not summon in vain, for should you be taken
from me you are still in God's keeping, and re-
member not to gratify the tyrants by one look of
pain.‘
‘I will not fail you, ‘ he answered, grimly, and
then bending over her, ‘farewell! God be with
my darling as her last protection is taken away.*
They received the file of soldiers as calmly as
tance, and her thoughts went baok to when
merry laughing girl, she was the proudest beau
ty in all the realm, and exalting in his idol her
father refused the hands of mighty peers and
princes. Bnt more loved and vivid than all
memories, rose the form of her martyr knight,
drowning all reality of suffering even on the
brink of death. The grim exeentioners looked
npon her powerless in their fasoination to pro
ceed, as with her superb head thrown back, her
eyes dilated but dreamy she stood an animated
DESDICHADO,
An Historical Romance.
BY JO BEAN.
CHAPTER VIIL
.t r . , — — wniuilj
dohomWLd e lVin g ?h 8 « a W 8 ap / r ° ach j ngt ° 9tatne * nntil roused by the scowl of a woman, a
saidwRh g dnw.ir„i 6 f d f r advanced and burst of yells and curses fall ox her, and to-
bodv of Jn8t,ce demands the gether she and the keepers arose,
? f ? avarre ’never ap- .Pardon me sirs,’ she exclaime
tion.’
. not the sunshine created by the presec o a
of Nelly Montgomery make my heart oheerfnl,
the absence of Coralie Summerville weald
it so dark and desolato, that I could not bear
the pain. Oh ! Nelly! I can not insult the mem
ory of Coralie, even in her abeence, by saying
bow much I love her. Whatever of affection I
may have for her, I know to be hopeleas. To
night, when one by one the stars come tremb
ling into view, step ont upon yonder grassy
lawn, and ask tbem why they will not shine to
morrow, and their answer will be ‘A more bril
liant sun will so obaenre onr light, that ono by
‘All for which the heart may sigh—
All for whioh sir knights may die!’
‘It was on the occasion jnst referred to, the
last of yonr school, that Harry for the first time
saw Olnra. Till then he had seen nothing of
her, bnt he had heard mnoh. She had lived
two years in his father’s house while going to
school in New Orleans; bnt during all this time
he was buried in the great library of Gottingen,
a German university of much celebrity. Bat if
German professors were filling his head with
their fine spun theories, his heart was after
wards filled at a country school nestled amid the
mountains of North East Georgia.’
‘Nellie, you surprise me more. While I rejoice
to know that onr Lura is loved by such a man
as Harry Snmmerville, I am astonished that her
love ia given to me instead of him. One of the
ehief aims of my life shall be to do all I can to
promote her happiness, and sweet will be the
labor. When, Nelly, can I see yon and Lnra
together?’
‘Now, if yon wish; but why do yon ask?*
‘Thereare two pictures in the library. One
is said by good judges, to be an exact likeness
of yonrself, and the other of Olnm Sundown. I
brought them with me this morning for the par-
With the first glow of morning in the east,
soldiers entered the room of the captives, and
two women passed into the apartments of the
princess and assisted her in a change of apparel
to prepare for the executioner. The morning
hours dragged wearily by, but little being said
between the lovers, for the words they would
wish to speak mnBt not be saerileged to com
mon, curious ears. Berengeria was nungry and
with heroic effort she ate her scanty repast, but
Sir Biondel could not touch food although be
lightly disoussed with the princess some pleas
ing topic of the past But after clearing the ta
ble, the servants and soldiers withdrew and for
the last time the unfortunate princess and her
martial lover were alone.
Meanwhile old Stephen, who, on reaching the
castle, had been thrown into a dungeon where
no light waa admitted, remained np to this fatal
morning ignorant of all that had occurred to his
lady, ignorant of what should occur to him; but
ever hopefully breathing the infected air and
eating the eoanty food thrown to him, for be
knew not but what the little life that remained
might prove of service.
And on this eventfnl morning with hie cloth
ing hanging in wet folds about hia aged frame,
he was dragged before Videmar who having
failed to sully his lord or lady, now exerted hie
devilish influence to pervert a faithfn 1 servant.
‘Will yon,’asked Videmar, aa surrounded by
hm menials, old Stephen was brought before
him, ‘promise to serve me hereafter as faithfully
noee ofVivine them to Ion - ? ur : “ y° a hftTe »®rved hitherto, she whom you oall
amount of labor, and though I am poor, no sum • ‘My lord,’ answered the old squire, aa he bow-
peared more becomingly majestic than when
risen from her ohair, she answered:
‘We must somewhat change our apparel and
then we will attend. •
The soldiers fell back to the door, and Beren-
dropped the ermine cloak from her
shoulders, loosed the ribbon from her hair and
handed it to the knight saying:
‘Faithful champion, I confer this, the only
tribute ot love and gratitude I can command, ‘
and then giving her hand to be kissed for the
last time, she said softly, but much moved,
•farewell ! farewell ! my Biondel, as my last
thought shall be of him I leave, be yours of her
to whom death will again nnite yon, * and then
raising her voice for all present to hear, she add-
®« : a ‘Hire, our pilgrimage is all but ended and
briefly we mast part, bnt we shall soon meet
again where the prisoners rest together and hear
not the voice of the oppressor. ‘
. H e ro the soldiers interrupted, ‘your highness
is waited for.*
She answered firmly, ‘we are ooming,‘ and as
though unable to remove her eyes from the
knight, she moved backwards until suddenly
turning, she stepped aoross the threshold and
the soldiers closing behind her, Berengeria
passed from Sir Blondel's sight.
Four of tne soldiers remained with the knight
and the scorn of being seen to suffer assisted
the captive to bear up under his crashing grief
but his eyes seemed bursting from his head, as
he stood transfixed where be had last seen Ber-
eugeria, his Drain was whirling and a wild im
pulse to rush upon his keepers and perish fight
ing seized him, bat the reflection, ‘Bhsll I shrink
from what she endured?* banished this feeling
and he sank baok on his oouch. Bat his suffer
ings were brief, for another file of soldiers soon
entered for Sir Biondel !* and without waiting
their order, he almost shouted, T attend you !•
and moved so fast, that not observing a guards
man had thrust his spear to oppose his passage,
he ran against it and wounded his side, bnt on
ly noticed the oeourrenoe enough to say:
'I pray yonr pardon sir,’ he added with amei-
anoholy smile, — - —* “
exclaimed and advanced
to the block. It was low and for an instant she
seemed confnsed bnt the clear tones of the
knight:’
‘Kneel my princess to the will of heaven,’
reassured her, and she knelt down and bowed
her head.
The axe gleamed in the air, the breathless
spectators were eager to shont the death of the
princess, when a cry of ‘to arms ! to arms, the
castle is besieged! rang through the open door
way, and on the instant a man all breathless
pushed his way to the front.
‘Hold !‘ cried the officer to the executioner,
and springing to his feet he exolaimed. ‘ii ttou
liest thine head shall fall the first. ‘
‘My lord,* replied the herald, ‘armed bands
are swarming round onr walls, thrioe have I
rung the alarm bell, not a sentinel at his post ‘
•Villains, to your stations !‘ thundered the of
ficer, ‘bind the prisoners securely. When wo
have dispatched these caitiffs, we will return to
justice.*
And the tyrants and their menials rnshed
hurriedly and panic-stricken from that scene of
mnrder where the eye of Heaven had rested-
a squad of soldiers detached for that purpose,
filed round the prisoners, and having relieved
the prinoess of her shackles, they conducted
ana locked them in a secure apar meat, where
being left alone, the shouts and other sounds
of violence confirmed the herald's report that
oastle Chaluz was besieged.
(To be Continued. >
Miss Neilson on Mrs. Langtry—‘The homeli
est woman I ever saw. ‘Fraud’ written all over
her forehead.*
Sarah Bernhardt dresses elegantly, bnt is so
thin that her olothea may be said to be next to
nothing.—Boston Poet.
The Russian prinoess who is to marry Prino e
^!L"“ i i l V 1< !£ m t» ,U J 0kly to mj grmve - 1 Alexander of Bulgaria is to have a marriage nor
and with only the thought of once more Beeing . nnn * . ... ' marriage por
the prinoess in life,' he poshed ahead. The j *vj® °* half in oash and half in jew