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THE SUNNY 80UTH* ATLANTA. GA„ SATURDAY MORNING. AUGUST 13,1887.
TO THE RESCUE
By JOSEPH S. BEAN.
CHAPTER XI.
-Like the trader twilight weather
When the toll of da; is done.
And we feel the bliss of quiet
Oar constant hearts have won.”
With the first glow of morning in the east,
maids entered the room of the captives, and
two women passed into the apartment of the
princess and assisted her in a change of appar
el to prepare her for the executioner.
The morning hours dragged wearily by, but
little communication passing between the
young lovers, for the words they would wish
to speak must not be sacrileged to eommon,
curious listeners. Princess Bsrengeria was
not hungry but to reassure Sir Blondel she ate
with heroic effort her scanty repast. The
knight could not partake of food, though he
took his cup of water and smilingly drank her
health and that of absent friends and then he
lightly chatted with the princess some pleasant
topics of the past. But after clearing the table
the servants and soldiers withdrew and for the
last time the unfortunate lady and her gallant
lover were alone. Meanwhile old Stephen,
who, on reaching the castle, had been thrown
into a dungeon where no light was admitted,
remained up to this fatal morning ignorant of
all that had happened to his princess, ignorant
of what should occur to him, but ever hope
fully though more feebly breathing the infect
ed air, and eating the scanty food thrown in to
him for he hoped that the little life that re
mained in him might prove of service to his
p itrons.
And on this eventful morning with his cloth
ing hanging in damp folds about bis aged
frame he was dragged before Videmar, who
having failed to sully his princess or knight,
' now exerted his fiendish influence to pervert
faithful servant.
“Will you,” asked Videmar, as surrounded
by his menials old Stephen was brought before
him, “promise to serve me hereafter, as faith
fully as you have served hitherto, she whom
you call Berengeria, and I will make you "
ruler in this castle?’’
“My lord,” answered the old squire as he
bowed bis bead, “I am pledged to her service
until death.”
“And she,” continued Videmar, “dies in an
hour on account of her folly, but you 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, “you have seen the storm
clouds gather and joining the blast, sweep on
spreading terror and destruction. You have
seen the river as the torrent reached its bed
arise, and boiling its waters with the floods of
heaven, bear down all the pride and beauty of
Us shores. Yet it seemed awfully fitting that
those leafy monarchs which had breasted the
fury of a hundred storms should perish in the
universal ruin. How different from that lone
true, which spared by the spoilers axe sees its
brethren fallen around it, 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 fierce
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 survive my princess would be mocking
life whet my heart sod hopes were dead. Let
the same sentence that decides her fate, speak
mine, and grant me to attend her whether in
person or spirit. You claim to admire fidelity,
then respect mine and let death death seal its
perpetuation.”
“Your own month has spoken your sen
tence,” said an cflicer, as he gave a signal to
the soldiers who seized the old man, shivering
with cold and led him, followed by a hooting,
hissing crowd to a scaffold, where he was
asked if he had anything to say.
“Mine enemies,” spake 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 a breathing
space your passions and allow my sinking sun
to set in peace I am not wearied with the
seivioa of earth, although my arm has grown
so weak as scarcely to avail, nor do I. mourn*
this fall ot\ wittered oak. DeXti is frowning
on one whom men have termed the faithful
How well my allegiance deserves that claim is
shown by the record of seventeen who bore
my name, all having died for their honor and
their sovereign 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 the crowd
“and 1 will be your messenger."
“Tell him,” continued old Stephen, “let God
and honor be his monitors. Difficulties, over,
come award us blessings and if within him
comes a shrinking from honorable endeavor,
either to kill the fear or kill himself. Let him
beware 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 prompter and should he meet my
slayers, instinct will draw a Tumbam’s blade
to drink a traitors blood.”
“Down with him,” cried the rabble and a
blow on tbe old man’s head sent him reeling
forward. “Father!” he exclaimed as he clasped
his hands before the block, “into thy hands I
commit my spirit” He bowed his form, the
axe gleamed through the air, then buried itself
in tbe block. Tbe bloody head was snatched
up and waved in the air while the rabble hoot
ed and shrieked, until having brought a long
pole they stuck Ibe head on that and then all,
as by common instinct, gathered on tbe battle
ment nnder tbe captives apartments and thrust
the bloody head up at the prison bars.
The knight was attracted by the noise and
seemingly without concern, he whispered to
his bride and crossed to the gratiDg. The
bloody bead of Stephen met him while from
below came curses on his name and he turned
quickly away for fear the princess might ob
serve and heighten her distress, but his pre
caution was too late for she had also witnessed
this unsightly greeting of her* old squire and
her cup of sorrow was drained to its dregs.
“Comfort yourself concerning him,” said
the knight, “for bis sufferings are ended, and
mourn i ot your loss for he will soon be re
stored.”
“God has been so merciful,” answered Be
rengeria, “in permitting us to walk down into
the valley and the shadow together, that I can
only bless his name, while to my own tired,
faithful StepheD, I say farewell.”
And then for a brief interval the beautiful
lady and the noble knight were forgetful of the
scenes of death awaiting them—all their hopes
and fears absorbed in each others charms, un
til the door was opened, and guards who never
moved their eyes from the captives, were sta
tioned in their rear, while all the motly in
mates of the castle came to sate their curiosity
and malice by attiring and jeering at them, but
the prisoners endured all with the patience of
sublimity until an approaching measured tread
apprised them that their sufferings would soon
be ended.
“Knight," spake tbe princess, “tbe darkest
hour of our lives summons our fortitude and
most not summon in vain, for sbonld you be
taken from me, you are still in God’s keeping,
and remember not to gratify the tyrants by
one look of pain.”
“1 will not fail y on,” he answered grimly
and then bending over her he whispered,
“farewell; Oh, father Christ, sustain and com
fort by thy Holy Spirit this tby child and my
darling, as her last protector is taken away."
They Watched tbe file of soldiers march in as
calmly as though they were liege subjects ap
proaching to do homage and when tbe leader
advanced aLd said with downcast eyes, "Jus
tice demands the body of Berengeria of Na
varre,” she never appeared more becomingly
majestic, than after having risen from her chair
she answered, “we must somewhat change onr
apparel and then we will attend.”
The soldiers fell back to the door and Beren-
geria having dropped tbe 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 of love
and gratitude I can command,” and then giv
ing her band to be kissed for the last time she
sti<‘ softiy but much moved, “farewell, fare-
w e!\ dear, dear Blondel. As my last thought
shall beol him I leave, be yours of her to whom
death will again unite yon,” and then raising
her voice for all present to hear she added,
‘ Sire our pilgrimage is all but ended and brief
ly we must par'., but we shall soon meet again
and in a land where the prisoners rest together
and hear not the voice of the oppressor.’’
Here the soldiers interrupted, “your high
ness is waited for.” She answered firmly,
“we are coming,” and as-though Bhe were un
able to remove her eyes from Sir Blondel, she
move d backwards until suddenly turning, she
stepped across the threshold and the soldiers
closing behind her, Princess Berengeria passed
from Sir Blondel’s sight.
I CHAPTER XII. >
B r tby deep expiring Man,
By thy sealed sepotchn. atone.
By thy triumph In the grave,
By thy power from death to save:
Mtgbiy God, ascended Lord,
To thy tnrone tn heaven restored,
Prince and Savior, hear our cry,
Hear onr solemn litany.
Four of the soldiers remained with the
knight, and tbe scorn of being seen to suffer,
assisted the captive to bqng up under his
crashing grief. But bis eyed seemed bursting
from his head, as he stood transfixed when he
had last seen Berengeria; hit brain was whirl
ing and a wild impulse to rash upon his keep
ers and perish fighting, seized him; bat the re
flection, “shall I shrink from what the en
dured,” banished this feeling and he sank
bark on bis chair. Bnt his sufferings were
brief, for another file of soldiers soon entered
and ordered Sir Blondel to advance, and with
out waiting their order he almost shouted,
attend you,” and moved so rapidly that not
observing a guardsman had thrust a spear to
oppose his passage, he ran against it and
wounded hie side, bnt only noticed the occur
rence enough to say, “I pray your pardon
sir.” Then be added mosinglv, “Lead me
quickly,” and lowering his voice as if solilo
quizing, “to what poor Saxon Harold offered
the conquering William Plantaganet, sir feet
of earth, and that answers as well as all of
kingdom.”
With only one thought, that of seeing the
princess in life, he poshed ahead. The damp
cold hall chilled his wounded limbs and made
him shiver; and when at length be looked upon
the door which the noise within told him was
the judgment hall, the fearful uncertainty con
cerning the princess, overpowered him, and be
sank down, unable to move. A rough com
mand was given by the officer conducting the
prisoner, and the hnmblest soldier of the
guard, with a blush, offered his arm, and the
knight, leaning on this support, entered the
hall of death, where the sight of the princess
sitting at once, proudly, meek and majestic,
restored him, and he walked with a firm step
alone through the mailed forms and ascended
the platform, but was stationed at a distance
from the princess.
The hall in which the scene of murder was
to be enacted, was one in which justice or in
justice was meted out and seemed to be one
arranged for public trials in the castle. 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 dig
nitaries. In the highest seat was Videmar, bis
face horribly distorted by tbe scars and passion
it exhibited, while on his right hand sat his
highest officer, and the various seats were oc-
cupied according to rank, while the seats be
low in the hall and even standing room in the
hall, were crowded by brutal men and brutish
women, the throng increasing after the en
trance of the captives so as to pack the hall
almost to suffocation.
The stag* 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 pris
oners. Standing below Videmar and drawn
up in a line surrounding the captives, who
were on opposite sides of the platform, was a
dismal line of 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-
S eous robes, descended from his seat near Vi-
emar, and facing the princess, said:
“Berengeria, of Navarre, will yon accept
mercy and become the wife of Baron Vide
mar?’'
There was such a stinging disdain in tbe
‘never/” which burst from tbe lips of the prin
cess that Videmar withered beneath it, and bit
his lips until the blood gushed out.
“Hear then your doom,” continued the friar,
“for having broken the laws of the land by re
bellion, and for having broken the laws of the
church in holding with an unknown and sus
picions character unlawful intercourse, you
shall expiate your crimes with your head, and
this so-called knight shall die likewise, after
which his body shall be quartered and ex
posed. Have either aught to say before sen
tence is carried into execution?”
The princess looked at tbe knight as if in
donbt and appealing to him, and he with royal
grace, arose and said:
“Determined to discharge every duty to our
selves .and our Maker, we have seized upon
and lo! in him power stigmatized itself oppres
sion. With your friar as mediator, we sent
our appeals to heaven, and lol they echoed
back from the sool of that unholy man in
blasphemy, and now in this last Beene of blood
we appeal to yonr judges, and lo, they stain
the purity of ermine in the blood of innocent
victims. We therefore close onr eyes upon
earthly wrongs to open them in that land
where the wicked cease from troubling and the
weary are at rest; above ns, where the secrets
of all hearts shall be revealed, and the Christ
shall say to those on his right, ‘Come ye
blessed, inherit the kingdom;’ and to those on
his left, ‘Depart ye. enrsed, into everlasting
‘fire;’ stands’that great white throne whose
beams of light piercing tbe uttermost realms of
space, shine this morning on this deed of vio
lence and shame. Why heaven allows such
iniquity we cannot comprehend, but we hum
bly bow to almighty decrees, and as your ini
quity seals our lips, we yield our souls back to
God who gave them.”
Sir BlODdel paused and seemed uncertain
about resuming his seat until he did so by a
signal. Berengeria bad regarded her knight
with trust and admiration that heeded nothing
else; and after he ceased speaking she was
not aware that all eyes were upon her, and
that the greedy executioners stood waiting for
her person.
But when Videmar gave a groan of despair,
his officer cried, “Proceed!” And the execu
tioner with a gruff call, offered her his hand to
raise hr r from her seat. At bis touch she arose
without him and stood passively, while the
fierce assistant seized her hands, and drawing
them behind her, bound them with chords
until the bine' veins seemed bursting through
the lily skin. She heeded not when one by one
her silken yellow locks fell from her head to
bare her neck for the axe. Her eyes were gaz-
ing through the open window on a line of blue
bills stretching away in the distance, and her
thoughts went back to when a merry laughing
girl she was the proudest beauty in ail the
realm, and her father, King Sancho the Wise,
exulting in her beauty and loveliness, refused
the hands of mighty peers and princes. But
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 executioners looked upon her pow
erless in their fascination to proceed, as with
her supurb head thrown back, her eyes dilated
bnt dreamy, she stood like an animated statue,
until roused by the scowl of a woman a burst of
yells and curses fell on her and together she
and the keepers arose.
“Pardon me, sirs,” she exclaimed, and ad
vanced to the block. It was low and for an
instant she seemed confused, 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
spectacle were eager to shout the death of the
princess, when an alarming cry of ‘'to arms!
to arms! the castle is besieged!” rang through
tbe open doorway, and on the instant a man
all breathless from running pushed his way to
the point: “Hold!” cried the officer to the ex -
ecntioner8, and springing to his feet he ex
claimed, “if thou I ett thine head shall fall the
first.”
‘My lord,” replied the herald,“armed bands
are swarming round onr walls; thrice have I
rung the alarm bell, not a sentinel at his post.”
“Vilains to yonr stations,” thundered the
officer, “make the prisoners doubly secure.
When we have dispatched these catiffs we
will return to justice.”
And the tyrants and the menials rushed
hurriedly and panic stricken from that scene
of murder w "re the eye of heaven had rested.
A squad ol soldiers detached for that purpose
filled round the prisoners and having relieved
the princess of her shackles, they conducted
and locked the captives in a secure apartment,
where beiDg left alone the shouts and other
sounds of violence confirmed the heralds re
port that castle Chalnz was besieged.
CHAPTER XIII.
“As the vesper planet blushes
Kissed by the dying sun.”
The captives had oeen subjected to snch vio
lent emotions as to paralyze their senses, and
after being tbrast into their last quarters, they
stood for a moment transfixed, liae a bewild
ered audience in the closing scene of some
grand tragedy.
But at once the individuality of the sexes
was reasserted, for with the first gleam of hope
Sir Blondel, who was so lately resigned to the
will of Heaven, became ail eagerness again,
while Berengeria, who had sustained her hero
in his travail, now suspended between hope
and fear, sank again into his stronger spirit.
Alas!” she exclaimed, “we are mad, the test
•of what humanity can endure. Why were we
not permitted to die, far death would have
been transition to a better state, or at worst
oblivion, but thrust in here and left amid the
evcitement to starve through lingering death—
oh God, it is too horrible.”
“Not so,” replied the knight. “God has
Baved us for great purjjpsea. A few nights ago
a favorite minstrel of mine came and sang to
me from outside the castle walls onr song of
deliverance. I answered his notes, he re
sponded showing that he recognised my voice,
and I doubt not, be has brought fhi« force to
deliver ns and we must go forth conquering
and to oonquer.”
Berengeria looked fondly upon her knight
until her eyes rested on his shackled limbs to
binding of which he had submitted in silenoe,
mightier in this ruling of his own spirit than
he that taketh a city, but still for hi« being
bound the princess sighed: “Ah me, those
chains are ail the insignia of favor that. Beren
geria has ever conferred.”
“Why, no indeed my pretty princess,” re
monstrated Sir Blondel, “for I wear my iron
bracelets proudly because I wear them for yonr
sake, but I also wear yonr image on my heart.
I left my borne a wild impulsive boy with no
ambition bnt to grasp my pleasures. But yonr
beauty has elevated all my nature and under
tbe control of your charms I read the hand of
heaven and bowing my knee to the great King
of Kings, I pray that he will take me for his
subject and work through me his sovereign
will. Bnt come let ns rouse,” he added as a
shout burst on his ear, “and prove ourselves
the children of heaven.”
They examined the room into which they
had been pushed. Which appeared to have
been a gallery of art, for grim old warriors and
lair wronged women looked down on them just
as they had looked on happier scenes. Bnt
the apartment had been changed from its orig
inal purpose and barred windows and bolted
doors showed that this and like other portions
of the castle had been converted into a dun
geon. Having completed their examination
the room, the captives moved a heavy block
the window and having stepped upon it, were
enabled by a sidewise view to witness a scene
of intense and exciting action. The besiegers
had so completely surprised the castle inmates
who were engaged in dispatching the prisoners,
that the besiegers had not only secured the
castle palisades, but also forced the draw
bridge and gained the courtyard, where they
were now swarming, while Videmar’a retainers
were pressing to the battlements and rapidly
being stationed to protect tbe most vulnerable
points. But castle Chalnz, as remarked, seemed
to have been made impregnable, and though its
proper defense was from the onter walls, still
its dense ramparts afforded a splendid defiance
to siege, and this the attackers seemed to real
ize, as, having surrounded the structure and
scanned its strength, they returned to the front
and conferred with their leader, a slender, but
well formed knight who was clad in bine ar
mor while a long white plume floated from his
helmet Snne distance below the captives
apartment, a huge wing of the castle extended
and ended in battlements on which the princi-
ial force of its retainers was stationed and
tere Videmar’s chief officers were in com
mand.
A shower of arrows and other forces of de
straction were descending from the castle
walls, and numbers of the poorly protected be
siegers were falling nnder this destructive war
fare, bnt as yet the outside forces bad evinced
no method of attack.
But now as a shout rent their line, the front
rank moved solidly to the charge, and while
arrows and huge stones rained upon the para
pet and sent many castle menials to their last
account, the blue knight advanced nnder the
walls, and while his followers protected him as
best they could from the falling missiles, he
dealt such ponderous blows upon the port
cullis as made it tremble and ring. At this
juncture while the attackers were engaged
against the walls, a band of the cattle retainers,
realizing its desperate situation, sallied out, no
one could tell from whence, and headed by
Videmar’s second officer made a desperate on-
slaughter upon the besiegers. In the first mo
ment of surprise the column of the besiegers
was broken into and driven back, but suddenly
the blue knight turning shouted, “Richard and
St George of Englaad,” and wheeling from hi*
assault on the portcullis and having exchanged
several furious blows with the castle leader, he
brought him to his knees and then to the
ground; and then, rushing upon the fol-
o were who were dismayed by their leader’s
fall, he soon bore them down an easy prey to
his battle axe. flavine disposed of
“Amen!” eqhoed thb jblue knight as he
sprarg forward, and with a well-aimed blow
cleft tbe helmet affri skull of Videmar, who,
without another straggle, fell dead.
The blue knight, .without saying a word, ad
vanced to Sir Blondel; and having removed his
shackles, he gracefully stepped back with his
face toward the knight utd princess, and, drop
ping on his knee, he exclaimed with enthusi
asm: “Hail! Richard 1st of England!”
Berengeria was overcome at this announce
ment, and would have fallen on her knees be
fore the newly-acknowledged monarch, but he,
as his arm encircled her, whispered assnringly:
“No mote tWain, but one flesh; and as yon
love, do not shrink frojn me in this moat trying
moment.’’
At this instant soldiers came rushing in; and
while some of the flower of English ofaivalcy
flocked around its king, Blondel -the minstrel
whose notes he had caught over the castle
walls and had called Ms brother of song—
pressed through and kissed tbe hand of Rich
ard, who warmly returned the grasp as the
minstrel exclaimed: “Long live onr Richard
1st of England!” which proved-* signal for all
present to drop upon their knees as they ut
tered the prayer, “Lopg live Bichard 1st of
England ”
, The familiar and'magnetic voice of the min
strel rallied onr Sw Blondel—now Sir Blondel
no longer; and as he gazed on the loyal host
around him he was every inch a king, and in
snch form he spokac “Hold, friends Is the
castle carried and secured?”
“Not one traitor left,” spake Sir William,
every pretext -Merefl for onr release, Aide attack, the^biue Ithight was retflrningto
form of Baron Videqlar we appealed to power, the portcullis, when, t—* 1 ’' ’
seeing a ladder placed on
the wall, he rushed np its ronnds, and, calling
on his men to follow, he dashed over the bat
tlements where a bloody reception was in wait
ing. Protected by the upraised shield and bat
tle axe of the blue knight,, his first followers
reached the parapet, and sprang upon the bat
tlements; bnt as the fury of battle forced them
aside, the next comers who burged up the lad
der were met by a furious repulse from the
castle men, who with great force overthrew the
ladder and dashed its living dingers back upon
the earth.
“Do they waver?” asked Sir Blondel. “No,
by Heaven!” he exclaimed. “St. George, how
the white plume seems the scourge of justice 1
Oh! why am I cooped up here like a craven do
tard when such glory rests on power? Hear
me, father Christ,” he added, “and send me
forth in freedom, and I will drive the saracen
from thy holy sepulchre. Saints of Heaven,”
he continued as he gazed on the white-plumed
warrior, who stood like a tower against the
blows burled against him, while he wielded his
own terrible blade which never fell in vain,
“could I but break lances with that man?”
“I have not yet,” remarked the princess,
“discerned color or device by which to mark
our friends or foes.”
“No, your Highness, no!’’ replied Sir Bion-
del with emphasis. “Would you mark men by
mere colors which vanish like the rainbow?
Heaven has set such power in that God-like
form that its wearer would don or doff colors
in vain. Great God, he is down!” he added in
a tone of despair, for the blue knight had fallen
from exhaustion against a supporting wall, and
was faintly parrying the blows which rained
npon his guard.
“God, cause thy face to shine upon that
man!” exclaimed Sir Blondel fervently, ‘for to
him I have linked onr destiny.”
He had scarcely uttered the gioan before he
was revived, for the blue knight was only
catching breath, and in another instant he
plunged forward, driving all before bis strokes,
while each descent of his battle-axe was re
corded by one or more bloody corpses. But
his strength was almost spent, and of his four
teen friends who had gained the battlements
only one was now standing, and the enemy was
bearing them down, when at this crisis the post
the blue knight was defending was covered by
another ladder, and behind the strong arm of
the knight men came swarming over, and
headed by their champion, who now led them
with renewed fnry, they drove the besieged
from off the battlements. This gave them pos
session of that portion of the castle whose walls
were now quickly scaled by the besieging
troops, and the scene of action was shifted
while shouts of triumph and dismay resounded
through tne castle.
Sir Blondel, in his transport of joy, turned
and embraced the princess as he exclaimed:
“We shall be free and ”
A hurried Btep along the hall checked his
voice, the holts were jerked, the door thrown
open, and an armed warrior with two followers
rashed in. He paused an instant; and then,
raising his visor, disc osed, all passionate and
swollen, the face of Videmar.
CHAPTER XIV.
A hand almighty to defend,
An ear for every call,
An honored life, a peaceful end.
And Heaven tc crown ic all.
It is all over!” exclaimed Videmar as he
rashed into the captive’s apartment. “Commit
your soul, knight, where you wish it to repose,
for our spirits go together.”
Ob! Baron Videmar,” pleaded Berengtria
as she moved forward, ‘ it is my life you ask;
take it and release ”
“Never! princess, never!” spoke up Sir
Blondel. “The tyrant shall not summon his
sacrifice in vain. Farewell. And when ”
Thou liest, Caitiff!” exclaimed a voice
whose owner had crept in unawares, and, hav
ing struck down the two menial followers, he
then sprang between the captives and the ty
rant and stood confronting Videmar. “Thou
liest!” he repeated to Videmar, “for I was
born to slay thee, and flesh shall do its part!”
“Then fight with the strength of madness!”
howled Videmar, and together they clashed,
yidemar indeed fought with the fury of a ma
niac, and though once driven back against the
wall, renewed his attack so frantically that his
exhausted opponent (who was the white-
plumtd knight) fell back in turn so as almost
to touch the captives, where he stood for a mo
ment breathless and helpless. Bnt before Vi
demar’s weakened strength could take advan
tage of his opponent’s insecurity, Sir Blondel
placed his hand on the blue knignt’s shoulder
as he said:
“Strike knowing that not only time, bnt eter
nity, hangs on your Usne, and Heaven is your
reward.”
now, as loyal sub-
I commands ”
spake Richard with
our royal consort.
Jour Queen Berengeria,
England.”
nobility of that see
the band of the
nonarcii stooped and
►ou see our rank is one
of soul.” But then
'her with soft words
r nbling from her late
[and now as this new
sighed within her-
[ bad died e’er this.”
in memory all her
t realization of what had
wish, and as she
the strange faces
ily murmured, “Alas
, would you were here
sad emphasis on the
who was present,
jecs, we await yonrj
“Our first edict,
a smile, “is to
Here, loyal hi
of Navarre, but
And then,
tion knelt and
blushing queen,
laughingly whis],
fifth equal to onr
he hushed and
for she was pale
trials and conste;
care burst upon
self, “it were beitej
And then she re'
past sufferings am
been her father’s
gazed for sym
around her she invi
good Stephen
to witness my glo;
She had dwelt
name of Tumham and no sooner was it uttered
than there emerged from the throng before her,
a handsome youth who had removed bis armor
and whose face exhibited scars and the pallor
of exhaustion. He advanced in a careless and
yet graceful manner and kneeling before tbe
king and queen, said to her, “ever your maj
esty’s most faithful subject.”
His figure, his vpice and his advance at the
the queen and she con-
with admiration as she
descendant of my old
name Tumham,
tinned observing
mused, “Can he
faithful Stephen. __
“Your majesty,” continued the kneeling
man, “Stephen Tumham is my name. I am
grandson to old Stephen Tumham who was
squire to King Sancho the Wise of Navarre,
and my father who bore the same name gal
lantly. fell in battle while saving the life of the
same king.”
And can it be,” continued the queen, “that
this last descendant is as faithful as his ances
tors?”
“He is; your majesty!” exclaimed Sir Wil
liam the patron of Young Tumham, stepping
forth, for with him Stephen was privileged to
familiarity and he Reared this abrupt manner
might offend the sovereign. .“He is; often hath
he stepped between me and' rfe foe, and the
scar upon his neck is from X blow that was
aimed at my head.”
“Sire,” said tbe princess appealing to the
king, “jost now yon termed me queen, and
called on men to witness; and with a woman’s
eagerness, I wish to exercise authority."
“Rule absolutely,” said Richard with smil
ing sanction, “for mus yon have ruled Rich
ard.”
“Then yonr. majesty,” added the qneen,
'give me a sword,” and as Richard received
one from an attendant and banded it to Beren
geria, she said, “be this my first and last act
with the sword 1” She advanced and allowing
the blade to rest on the jroung man's shonlder,
she exclaimed: “Rise, Sir Stephen Tornham.
dub thee knight off$ngland,” and as Rich
ard, to confirm the act, enveloped her d '
hand and the swhrd in his powerful -g
shouts and hunaMpuf “long live Sir Stephen
Turnham!” rose from the gallant warriors as
they saw their favorite leader receive his dne
reward. The queen spake again and this time
to Sir William, “we are sorry, my lord, to de
prive yon of so faithful an attendant, bnt the
names and fortunes of Navarre and Turnham
have been so long connected, that I most call
this wanderer, the last of his race, back to my
side," and then she addressed Sir Stephen
Sir, henceforth yon attend the person of yonr
queen,”
King Richard’s great bine eyes had sparkled
as he gazed with admiration on the splendid
form before him, and now as he recognized the
hero he grasped him with both hands and as
their bodies came together, Richard’s heart
thrilled and beat faster from the contact, as he
exclaimed, “are yon njt our white plumed
knight who performed such prodigies of valor
and rescued our royal persons from death? ’
“Sire,” replied the noble hero as he raised
his helmet in his hand and waved the now dis
mantled plume in the air, “Heaven made me
the humble instiument to save its anointed
and I trust it may ever strengthen my arm for
honest service in the cause of right ‘
“Hither!" said Richard with a gesture, and
as Stephen advanced the king embraced him
with affectionate emotion as he stooped and
whispered, “never tell mortal how yon found
Richard bound; let that secret exist in your
silence and my gratitude."
“Amen!” exclaimed Sir Stephen and walked
straight back to take his position behind his
new mistress.
“Why how now,” said the king good na-
turedly, “do you respect our royal persons no
more than to turn yonr back?’"
“Why your majesty,” answered Sir Ste
phen, “it was a proof of my devotion, for no
enemy as yet can say I ever turned my back
on him, but I always go straight to my posi
tion.”
Go or turn where yon will,” continued the
king, “I shall never be satisfied until I have
broken lances with yon whom I consider has
this day achieved the greatest feat of arms I
ever witnessed.”
‘Indeed your majesty,” replied Sir Stephen
serionsly, “I have too mnch regard for your
sacred person, and hereafter in attending on
my lady’s person I am a man of peace.”
And now one by one the followers of Sir
Stephen having pursued and despatched the
castle tyrants into their most distant retreats,
came swarming into the hall to do homage to
the king, and as tbe siege and battle were enrel
his favor, Sir William spake, “your majes
ty ’s true and faitlifid subjects now wait your
commands.”
And Richard tamed and looked npon his
beautiful bride who leaned on his arm, pale
and suffering from her terrible ordeal of the
past. And then as he looked upon his faithful
friends, Richard, surnamed the lion hearted,
now that he was surrounded by hearts true
and hands strong to respond to his call, great
Richard stood ail unnerved and trembling like
a child.
•‘My friends,” he answered, “at present we
are scarcely able to direct. Here onr gracious
knight of the white plnme, we appoint yon
master of the ceremonies and ask Sir Stephen
Tumham what shall next be done?”
“Sire.” answered Stephen,” “as I chased
the animals through the halls, I passed in the
castle a banquet hall where a rich feast had
been spread to be eaten in triumph of yonr
deaths. I told the stewards and cooks to stand
to their posts and keep things nice for onr
crowd and I would spare their lives. Now I
would have felt more natural and become my
self more bee rmingly if you had retained me
as a plain hard striking yeoman. But aa I
have suldenly had knighthood and baronetry
and greatness thrust upon me, I shall do the
very best I can, and, gentlemen of England,
watch what is left of the white plnme of Tom-
ham. Your Majesty, your subjects as I can
testify, are hungered even to fainting. So first
we will gtther strength by all eating in honor
of yonr prolonged lives. Gentlemen one and
all to the banquet hali.”
So the king, escorted by Sir William, led
the way, followed by the queen and Sir Ste
phen, and as the friends and attendants throng
ed the great homing and eating hall into which
they were led, the smoking viands and luscious
fruits testified to Sir Stephen’s statement.
“Now, my friends,” exclaimed Richard
when they were seated at the table, “let all be
heartiness—no hesitation, and let the presence
of royalty stimulate and not stint our feast, for
to-night all are brothers.”
And when ail had eaten their full and health
after health had bean pledged to the happiness
and glory of the royal young couple and of all
of tbeir followers, the king rose and said:
My lords, what provision can be made for
our rest tc-night, for rest we sorely need.”
The sun was already descending m the
"W
hesycnB; and a nobleman rose and answered: I “By jove, Morris! I thought'you were dead,
‘lour Majestywn tha:eastern tower. Jan» f or in Paris—” .tr_ m
spacious bower, shall we fit that np fokkrhyal-1 * — — ■
- J
ol % the mountains.^^P
ha% your way about^^
“No, no, thank you,”.exclaimed Berengeria,
“let us not remain a night nor even an hour |
longer amid these dreadful scenes of blood.’
“But are you able to journey?” asked Rich
ard, for with his own feeling of weakness he I
| of my little “Mountain Pink.’
[thk end.]
again—teaching school % the mountains.!
Next year you may ha% your way ahontie
“I’ih glad„t0 r be neither,” ^'interrupted. I things. But JT>aw to be unite sure that the
“Tell me some news. How’s everyUllfly?” ’ James failing "did not fore* me to be voan
“Who? The Revenue men?” wife.” \ ”
“Confound the Revenue. How are the folks? There ate times when two people find it easy
Are you married?” to laugh.
“Not by half, if you please. And the folks Our merriment was evidently surprising to
- are well. But say, Morris, do you remember Mr. Wye, who returned to the library some
dre *S* d *ny exertion on the part of his queed. that pretty little Pinkie Riggins over in Pike?” time afterward, and to whom I told the history
‘Oh, yea, replied Berengeria, “I am able “Yes,” somewhat drily. I always felt a lit- * ~ ’ “
to bear in going what I cannot endure in re- tie uncertain of Tom in this quarter. I
^ “Well, she’s waking np Peachtree. It seems
Tne king then stated their wishes and asked I she is cousin to the Wye’s out there. Old
counsel Of his lords. Riggins left a pretty snug pile. The old wo-
‘Your Majesty,” aaid Sir William, “scarce- man died that winter. Of course the Wye’s
ly twenty miles off stands my castle. Could | felt it to be their Christian duty to take charge I
our queen ride so far as to honor the walls of of the girl and her money. They sent her off
der J5^ ect ”, 11° school. She came back about two months
*H)h, yes,” chmied in Berengeria cheerily, ago. And by jove, boy, she’s a stunner!
let that be our destination, and as you, noble I Prettiest woman in Georgia to-day, or I’m
Sir William, gnard onr destiny, let ns hasten.” I blind. By the way, oome with me to the Kim-
“Then,” remarked tlje monarch, “Sir Ste- ball to-night. German, yon know. I’ll intro-1
phen and Sir William will remain with jmr dace yon in regular form.”
persons, while our, friends make ready for the Accordingly, about ten o’clock that same I
journeying.” . night I found myself, for the first time in years
The trumpets sonnued merrily and the war- swimming around a ball room with a beautiful
runs thronged the ffourt yard and caparisoned %omtn, in time to a Strauss waltz,
their steeds, and then a* courier returned and She was introduced to me as Miss Reagen,
informed their majesties that ail was in readi- bnt somehow or other the n.mq. stuck in myj
ness for departure. And then—forth from throat. * m ^
their abode of horrors, past the hall of death, “Will yon tell me what I may call you?” I
out of darkness and suspense and iitto light asked, during one of the pauses of the dance
and freedom, they moved, while behind them while we were talking in the arcade. “Tom |
came the bravest and noblest of the great calls yon Miss Reagan, but I don’t like that.’
realm. Bnt when across the drawbridge the “Don’t yon,” laughing with something like 1
last attendent had swept, the host could no the old-time frankness. “I am so glad, be-
longer refrain, and one load acclaim of “God cause I don’t like it either. Cousin Ella says
save onr king and qneenl” rent tbe air, and that is the correct pronunciation of the name,
then as Berengeria gazed on the martial form bnt I shall never be anvthing to myself bnt
beside her, ana rose with the gallop of her plain Pinkie Riggins.”
palfrey, her heart beat tiu y once more, and “ ’Shan’t you? In that case I, at least have
ever and anon she gave thanks unto heaven. | the comfort of knowing that you never can be
plain Pinkie,” I said, dropping my voice and |
How Was the Game?
On tbe first hill-top, Sir William spoke:
“Yonr Majesty, what shall be done with the
tyrant’s castle?”
“My royal love,” echoed the kiDg, “What
shall be done with the tyrant’s castle, for it is
within onr realm?” and Berengeria turned and,
clasping the hand of her husband, looked back
with Richard on the mighty pile of stone rising
dark and sombre in the twilight. High up on
a watch tower, the last flag of the traitor flap
ped in the fitful gust of the wind, but no sign
of life was visible, and the huge structure I The newspapers all write ns dpy^i “bSftiti
seemed a mausoleum for dark deeds|and dead and accomplished,” you know: It would
traitors.
“The scene, yonr Majesty," remarked Blon
del, “reminds me of those old lines,
“Where scowls the far-famed hold,
Piled by the bands of giants,
Far god-like kings of o;d."
“It will be made famous by thy songs, my
Blondel, I donbt not,” said the smiling king,
“bnt has my queen no subject whom she wish
es to promote and take command of yonder
castle?”
“Ob, yonr Majesty*” Mid Berengeria, as
her lustrous eyes softened in the gaze of her
lover, "let ns not linger and jest over a scene
in which has been enacted so many horrors.
Yours must be the task of purging dross from
bending towards her.
She looked up quickly, a warm flush spread
ing itself over her face and neck. Then,
stantly she resumed the cool unapproacha
ness which had distinguished her throngtffint
the evening. # .
“Perhaps not,’’ she sajd, accenting the coi
pliment with careless grace. KAnd that isTust
what I am disposed to regress One meets- so
few confessedly plain woTOn nowadays.
... . .. —
be
"Oh, how was the game? ’ was the anxious cry
To a eouple of men aa they pasted him by. ,
Oae turned and smiled as be said, ‘ Ol, fine W
’Twas as good as a glass of the mellowest •
Whl'e the other said with a scowl and a sneW, \
"The rottenest game I have seen this year!” *
They passed along and the questioner said,
' i hie fat tides shunt and hie lace grew red:
'There are many Then < f as many minds,
T jere are many bets of .s many kind*;
Bat, though men and wagers disagree,
rue mind and thepm-se are In sympathy.’
absolutely refreshing to see ene’s self figuring
in the society column as the plain Miss Riggins
of Pike.’"
She laughed softly and turned, in the next
breath, to smile cordially upon Tom, who came
towards ns from the parlors.
I could not help noticing the difference in
her manner towards him. To me she was icily
brilliant, enveloping herself in a something
which to my tantalized spirit seemed an invis
ible armor, against which my tenderest looks
and softest words feel powerless, while the face
t urned to greet him was alive with the warmest
friendliness.
After Tom’s coming I dropped ont of the
talk. Never a talkative man, at best, I now
fell into an unbroken silence, while I lingered
“Ma,” said Bobby, “you told me to
one hundred every time I got angry.'
‘Yes, Bobby.”
‘Well, I’ve got up to sixty, an’ I’m getting
madder all the time.”
the land, and sorely yonder tower is a fit be- by her side and watched her hungrily,
ginning on which I would never look again.’’ I could hardly convince myself that this low-
Theking was jost turning to give an order, voiced, dignified, gracious woman was the
bnt that instant Sir Stephen exclaimed: “The same 1 if tie credulous mountain girl into whose
castle is on fire!” willing ears I had poured my love-words
The king looked back once more. From one scarcely two boors after I first met her.
of the lofty windows a flame was leaping forth, No man would dare do that now.
and from another a cloud of smoke rolled np, I smiled under my mustache as I reflected
and then another opening belched forth its bow her hand had nestled trustfully in mine,
fiery'inmate and another and another still nn- And I tortured my jealous heart by contrasting
til the flames cnrled and licked the battlements that night with this, when she so successfully
and the castle became a blazing pyre which il- | fixed an impassable gulf between ns with that
“Yes,” said Miss Spinster, with an engaging
simper, “I have seen twenty-six springs.”
“Who is your oculist?" inquired Mr. Old-
boy.
“My oculist?”
‘•Yes. li you have only seen twenty-six
springs yon must have been blind at some
time.”
Patient (dissatisfied with dietary restrictions):
Say, Doc, I’m blamed if I’m goiug to starve to
death jost for the sake of living a little longer.
luminated the country round over hill and dale.
That settles it, my lords,” spake the long.
‘Let us ride on. The stones will remaifl^nd
out of them I will erect a chapel,” and then he
addressed the queen: “Heaven has.^ieard
your prayer and yon will never again look npon
that enrsed abode. God grant yon njmg and
happy life for yonr country, and whenever yon
radiant brilliancy which I had almost come to |
bate.
In the intensity of my jealous thoughts of I
her I lost a great part of the talk. It was only
when a new richness and depth in her voice
thrilled me that I became conscious of her |
w* rds.
“One doesn't like to talk mnch about snch I
Tbe little bnsy bumble bee
Is buzzing on me wing.
Wltb polisbeu point pm carefully
Upon bis steady sting.
Tbe small boy loafing on tbe lea
Wltb bat In band will try
To bother tbe busy bumble bee.
And flick Mm on tbe fly.
Tbeb. b. b. will simply smile—
He won’t a second waste—
But that boy’ll be beard about a mile
As be bumps (or borne In baste.
An enterprising physician in Australia adver
tises: “I will pay one-half the funeral expenses
in cases where I am not succassful.”
ride over yonder realm, may yon receive as things,” she was saying. “It seems something
loyal homage from yonr subjects as-yon have like avertising oneself to oneself, you know,
won from your king.” m *■- I’d be very happy if it could be arranged to
And thus we leave them riding, and their send that girl to school, though. I was an un-
merrv faces disappear in the distance, as their | trained, ambitions country girl once. I know
He—what a lovely complexion you have,
| Miss Maud?
She—it ought to be lovely—It cost $1 a box.
own later day poet has song:
“Over the bills and far away
Beyond their utmost purple rim,
And deep into the dying day
The happy princess followed him.”
[the end.]
A Mountain Pint
By Mrs. J. A. Barbrey, nee Mrs. Nora L.
Hussey.
CHAPTER IL
About nine o’clock that night, I moved the
men across the river, ferrying myself, and
called a halt in the thicket just across the road
from the Riggin’s.
how to sympathize with her.”
“There isn’t much difficulty about arranging
I it. The thinjf I’d like to prove to you is that
you’d be doing injustice to the girl. It’s bad
policy to educate a girl or a boy ont of their
| sphere ”
He stopped short; bnt she took np his words
bravely, her low voice going on steadily with
what he did not dare say to her.
“I know what you want to say. And I am
forced to confess that I was not happy ovei
there in the mountains; bnt—” a shadow fall
ing across the sweet, brave face, and a slight
tremor creeping into her voice—“but I do not
think I was more nnhappy than I am now. If
I could have done what I wanted to do with my
life; if I could have taught school and have
helped those poor little ignorant mountain chil-
I dren to find a deeper meaning in life; and if
there had not ”
“If there had not come a revenue force?”
I Tom asked, bending towards her with some-
“And so your father has gone to a mission
ary station?”
‘Yes: we are quite alone now.”
‘Don’t yon miss the directing hand of yonr
household?”
‘ Oh, mother didn’t got”
Busy, curious, thirsty fly!
Drink wltb me and drink as I.
Freely welcome to my enp,
Could st thou sip, sdo sip It np;
H Make tne most of life you may;
ldfs Is short and wears away.
Both alike are mine and thine,
Hastening to tbeir quick decline.
Tblne's a Bummer, mine no more,
Though repeated to three score.
Three score Summers when they're gone
Will appear as short as one.
Mamma—Ethel, dear, I noticed that young
Mr. Spriggs kept his eyes on you all through
the sermon.
Eethel—Why, isn’t Sunday the best day for
Here we waited until midnight when we | wfiffim '' ^ ‘° h ° I8e ' I b m 40 8how his deyotional feelings?
were joined by Tom who led the way through
the woods until we reached the bluff, at the
foot of which flows the Flint.
This we ascended slowly. The ascent was
indescribably rough, huge boulders of rock
sometimes completely blocking the way.
It was just after skirting one of these bould
ers that we saw the flash of a torch, and then
suddenly less than twenty paces from ns, we
came face to face with the watchman of the
gang.
A shrill whistle broke the stillness; a flash; a
sharp report, and one of our men fell headlong,
face-foremost.
Torch after torch flashed upon ns, the moon
shiners evidently fearing to fight lest they
might do themselves some hart.
Foremost in the crowd was a woman with
the form of an Amazon and the face of a Me
dusa. ' She it was who was the leading spirit
of the band. Her voice sounded clear aid
strong above the report of rifles and the cries
of the men, warning against an attack there,
commanding a retreat here, calling an advance
yonder. If ever there was an incarnate spirit
of midnight war and bloodshed it was this
weird, gaunt, gigantic woman who led the
moonshiner’s defense, standing boldly in the
fore-ground under the red glare of her filming
torch.
‘I hate to shoot a woman,” Tom muttered.
“But she’s got to be put out of the way or—
The click cf a trigger and a report just at his
side hushed him.
A wild shriek rent the air, and the woman,
the wild, unnatural sister of my delicate little
mountain Pink, fell to the earth.
I guess that’sjabout the endof it,” Tom said,
as two of onr men seized the only two unhurt
moonshiners who had not made their escape.
God knows I am glad I” I cried, bending
over the prostrate body of an old man through
whom Tom’s sure aim had ploughed
It was a sad sight, that of seeing the dead and
wounded carried to the little hoose nnder the
hill, where only the night before I had whis
pered soft love-words into the ears of a beauti
ful, credulous child.
As I followed the men who were bearing her
dead father to her, I wondered what kind of
greeting she would give to me who had led
the attack, and upon whom she most naturally
lay the blame.
The coldness of her greeting when I entered
the house was no surprise to me. I had pre
paiei myself for tbe very worst that conld hap
pen.
She was a true hearted, loyal girl. She had
been the old man’s pet, his idol and his pride
from her imperious babyhood when he was
her willing slave to the day of her glorious
womanhood, in which he had regarded her
with loving awe, hardly believing it possible
that she was not some miraculous creature sent
to him to be obeyed, instead of bis own daugh
ter over whom he might, if he chose, exercise
authority. Ail her life he had planned pleas
ures and surprises for her; he had hedged her
about with evidences of his idolatry; and now
he was lying there before her, murdered; and
I had commanded the bloody work. _
No reasonable man could hope for recogni
tion under snch circumstances.
Therefore, the next day I made preparation
for the removal of onr two wounded men, and
again took my departure, this time without a
word from Pink.
I had enough of the revenue service after
that yon may be sure.
My resignation was hastened also by the
death of the bachelor ancle for whom I was
named, and to whose large estate I fell heir by
will.
A few months afterwards, being able to get
no word or line from Pink, I threw a few
things into my valise and started off, little car
ing whither.
For nearly three years I lived abroad, and
all that time my heart was hungering for a
sight of the fresh young face which first
beamed upon me over an armful of golden rod
and sunset in the little log farm-house.
At length, while I am killing time among the
Jura Alps, a sudden impulse moved me to re-
turn home. So, to America I came as fast as
steam conld bring me. To New York, when:e,
without stopping, to Atlanta.
The first man I met was Tom Hughes.
“Frankly, yes,” she said unheedinsly. . T .
“After that the mountains became hatefnl to . F C ® bnt v T e can rel ? e !?'
me. They seemed to ring continually with the | montbs a ®° w ^ en 6vel ybody
cry of my murdered father.” “
The words told me all her mind. She never I —. . _ . .
would forget that night, I thought bitterly. . » at Omaha Child (proudly)— We re go-
And yet the pathetic tremor in her voice con- Springs this Summer.
vinced me that although she had herself fixed S econ d Omaha Child (sympathetically)—‘‘Is
the gulf between us, her heart cried out to sorry your papa is so poor. Why, is that
have it bridged. being P° or? .‘ of course. We don’t have
Then suddenly one of those qnick changes, | 8° tt> any springs. \\ e ve got a filter.”
which even in the old times marked her man
ner, came over her. I Boston City Official—“Anything wrong with
“Mr. Morris seems to have forgotten the your money, miss?”
german,” she said, smiling brightly. “That Schoolmarm—“Yes.yougavemeacounterleit
exquisite music is sufficient warrant for re- fifty cent piece when I got my salary yester-
minding him of it, isn’t it?’’ day.” “Ah! I see; you want a better half.’"
A moment afterward we were in the ball- “Well, I don’t know; you’ll have to ask
room; and no further opportunity was afforded | father.”
me to talk with her again that night
I saw her almost daily after that, and by de
grees society began to link our names, but the
coldness of her manner never changed. No
trained woman of the world ever held her heart
with firmer pulses than did this young creature
who scarcely three years ago was absolutely
ignorant of life.
Meanwhile I was content to bide my time
Fink’s indifference to her many suitors assured
me that her heart had not swerved from the
plighted faith of her girlhood. How it would,
ail come about I could not tell, but that it'
would come, I felt absolutely sure.
The mootbs went by. Winter merged into
spring. Summer came, and with it that July
day which saw the James’ Bank failure. I
was in the library at the Wye’s when the news
reached them.
“Great God!” cried Mr. Wye, “Pink’s
money is there.”
I looked up quickly, expecting to see her
make some show of alarm. But her face shone
calm and fair, with the Bame brave look upon
it that I had seen that night at the Kimball
when she had talked of the failure of her life
purposes.
“What are you going to do, Pinkie?” I
asked, when we were lett alone.
For the first time I saw the bright face shad
owed.
“I don’t know. It is very hard, of course.
I’m nothing but a lazy, pleasore-loving butter
fly. I could have worked heartily once ”
The sentences came with pauses between,
and the last word dragged itself out slowly as
if forced into utterance against her will.
“Before you kuew me?” I asked, bending
towards her, my heart well nigh bursting with
the strong desire to take the slender little fig
ure in my arms and kiss away the big tears
coursing slowly down her cheeks.
“Yes; before I knew you,” she said, with
the truthfulness and simple directness of man
ner which she had never lost.
“Then why not come back to the old love,
Pinkie?’’
“Oh, no, not that! It never can be that!”
with a frightened cry as of some helpless crea
ture in pain.
“But why not, dear?” I began, when the
white heat of anger shining in her eyes silenced
me.
“How dare you ask me that!” she cried.
“Oh, when I see you—and remember my
father—and when I cannot help; ” She
broke down in a storm of sobs, hiding her face
among the cushions of the divan.
I cannot tell you why she did not shrink
from my touch. Women are mysterious crea
tures. I only know that I put my arms around
her and drew her close to my breast, while I
told her the true story of that dreadful night,
explaining how I had ineffectually tritd to
save her lather, and how I had done as little
as an honest officer conld do throughout the
whole affray.
It was not an easy fight to win, yon may be
sure, but, yon see, I had the advantage on my
side from the beginning. And finally I saw a
trace-signal in the tearful eyes uplifted to
mine for one swift moment.
But even in the midst of surrender she was
a willful young woman, and would hear no
word of a speedy marriage.
“No, sir!’’ she sa:d, laughiDg softly, “I
must prove to my own satisfaction that I am
not marrying you to keep from teaching
school. Let me be poor little Pinkie Riggins
Yesterdaj’s tears and hopes are ended,
Yesterday’s sorrows are done,
Yesterday’s roses have laded away
With the light of yesterday’s sun,
A part of forever—this yesterday, now
Wi.-h tbe years is folded at lnsc;
For yesterday’s sorrows are o’er and done,
And yesterday's life's past.
Thompson—Does your wife permit you to
smoke in the house?
Dobson—No, she doesD ( t. Doesyour’s?
Thompson—I never asked her. She has noth
ing to do with that end of the household de
partment.
Dobson (admiringly)—You must have her
pretty well in subjection, old boy.
Thompson—No, I can’t say that I have.
Dobson—Then the odor of tobacco is not of
fensive to her?
Thompson—Yes, I believe it is.
Dobson—Then how do you ever man
Thompson—I don’t. It’s my wife’s
who does the managing.
Little Willie had bad the subject frill
brother or sister mentioned to him as a' >p
bability in the near future. One morning
nurse called him and said:
“Willie, here is a little sister the angels
brought you last night.”
“Oh, let me see!” cried Willie in great glee
“The angels never had any parasols, did they?'.
“Why, what a question. Why du you say
so?”
“Cause they let her get sunburnt. She’s
right red. Take keer; let me by quick.”
“Where are you going?”
“Going to tell mamma. She don’t know it
yet.”—Texas Colonel.
Tbe young, unmarried girl In sport
Is called “a bod of promise;”
8b* blooms eaob year at some resort,
Tbe weather when It warm is.
And In tbe fall a score of men,
Whose hearts till now have barm missed,
Compare sad nores and find out tben
To each tbe "h"d” Is promised.
Singing Mistress—“Now, darling, try again
‘The Spr—ing is wa’ning fast, my love the
co—rn is in the e—ar.‘”
Darling—(somewhat fractions)—“But the
Spring ain’t waning fast,'.Miss Triliington; we
haven’t had any yet to speak of, and the corn
isn’t in the ear; it’s on my little toe; and if
you don’t shut up and baud over some choco
late creams out of the box I saw pa give you
just now I’ll go and tell ma, I will.”
One morning Henry Compton, the famous
actor, and Douglas Jerrold proceeded together
to view the pictures in the “Gallery of lllusira
tion.” On entering the ante-room they found
themselves opposite to a number of very long
looking glasses. Pausing before one of these,
Comoton remarked to Jerrold: .
“Very well, first feast yonr eyes on that
work ot nature!” pointing to his o*n figurere-
flec ed in_the glass—“look at i.; there’s the pic
tare f< r you! ’
“Yos,” said Jerrold, regarding it intently,
“very fine, very liue, indeed!” Then tumingto
his friend: “Wants hanging, thoughl”
If all sc-salled remedies have failed, Dr.
Safe’s Catarrh Remedy cures