Virginia free press & farmers' repository. [volume] (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1827-1832, 1830-11-24

s."e W Oeaoty. And he lett hiW
to the loneliness Of the gathering night
which now hung over the battle. field
with the d.rkness Of = funeral pail.
Two years had passed away, and one
oi England's pleasant villages was en-,
Iivencd with the saiety and splcndo,
OF merry bridal. 1t was the bridal
OF Rupert Merton to the iady-love ol
Robert OF Anselm-the knight who fell
with his good sword in hansi and hi,
armour ON, in the wars Of Palestine.
Marvel not, reader, that the be,roth-
Ell OF Ausclm should 80 soon Weld her.
SELF to the addresses Of another. Did
she forget her lover-the good kn;ch,
who had borne her name on his hcl,nc,
through the rcddest fields Of Palestine :
Dad she cease to remember him. WHO
had laid at her feet the wrestcd sword
and the conquered banner of his enc.
mles-whose armour sue had herself
laced for its last trial-him. at the
mention OF whose name her heart had
beat prOuder, and for whose return she
had looked forward with the an xiety Of
love: Never! She had wept sadly At
tie story Of his fall-glorious az il
was-shc had offered at many a shrine
prayers for the noble spirit which had
passed away forever. But tears NAV
not always fow-the fountains which
have been unsealed by the rude hand
Of afil'e ton may close again. So i,
was with the lady Eleanor. The tide
of agony settled down into the calm
melancholy Of spirit sanctified and
made better by the trial of grief. And,
when she knew that the early love ol
Rupert Merton-a love which hi,
friendship for Robert Of Anselm had
checked in its first reyelations-still
remained strong in his bosom, she lis.
tened to his words Of affec tionatc con.
ISOLATION and sympathy. And she gave
her plighted troth to the dearest friend
Of her dearest love.
They stood up together before the
altar Of The village church, and the
multitude gazed on them with gratified
eagerness. Both were pale-t6ere wa,
melancholy on their features, which
told how deeply they had both tasted
OF the bitter fountains Of existence
but 10 the noble bearing Of Rupert
and in the chastcned beauty of hi, love.
" partner, those who looked on them
found much to admire; and a whisper
OF delight ran round the assembly for
one moment, and then, as the imposing
ceremony commenced, all became 81.
lent once more, in brcathless attention.
A ciatter Of hoofs, as if q horscman
were hurrying with the speed Of life
and death, startled the asscmblace. -
The next moment the tall form Of a
knight OF armour darkencd the door OF
the church. The multitude gave wav
before his hasty and fierce stride.
'Holdp be exclaimed in the loud
tone Of communicated lady is nv
betr0thed bride. Lady Eleanor. ad.
jure thee, remember thy yow-brcak
! II not for false traitor!'
All started, and Rupert laid his
hand on his sword. Sir Knight ne
said sternly, the hot blood rushing an
TO his pale forehead. at another time
thou shalt be fitly answered, if II 50
prove that thou art worthy Of knichtiy
dealings And he turned again 70 the
priest at the altar.
The eyes Of the stranger shope like
lire beneath the bars OF bis vizor. sRu.
pert Merton!' he shouted, in a fierce
and loud voice. let the ceremony be
stayed, or the sanctuary Of the living
God shall not protect tbee.'
/ sDastard!' returned Merton. ron.
yeyIng his trembling bride TO the hand
OF his kinsman. aud confronting the in
trudeT--' Rupert Of Merton asks mo
other protection save HE own good
sword. IL thou hast the spirit Of a
knight, follow net
They strobe through the church aisle
iogether--and in another moment the
quick clash Of steel rang sharply on
the ears OF the horror. stricken Assem-.
bly,. The struggle was short--bat des.
peTate. Reckless Of his own life, each
seemed only 20 seek that ofhis enemy.
Rupert. covered with wounds, reeled
forward and grssped the thrDa, Of his
enemy, with that fierce strength which
passion lends 90 the last struggles oI
existence. Ills glazing eye blszed
wildly open ~ be passed his sword like
lightning through the body Of the s,rsn-
ger. II vas fatal bloys. Both fell
~ the same instant; and, when the
multitude gathered about them, they
were dead.
'UnheIm the Stranger said the
priest, a. with shudder he surveyed
the dead forms before him. The he'll
met Was unbound; aud the haughty
aud dark features of Robert Of Anselm
were disciosed,--featur familiar IA
many Who were present. although set
tied into the guinness Of death. The
knight IT Ahselm had recovered from