The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1837-10-11
SELECTED TALES.
BARBARA MAXWELL.
1Concluded.l

Concluded.
When he parted from his unhappy COUSIN,
Wyndham was returning to the company he
had quilted, when he suddenly encountered
Herbert, the faconer, in the passage. To
an inquiry Of what brought the old man to
such an unusual place, and at such time,
he replied it was to find out his young lord.
"You cannot see him, Herbert. He is
particularly occupied. Are there not fit
ter times to speak about thy wood craft, old
boy, than when thy master is engaged as
he is this evening 2"
Wood craft !" exclaimed the faIconer.
Dost thou think me mad, Master WIND
ham, or fancy that hawk or hound would
bring me to his presence now? Next to
him | would speak TO yourself, were we
but safe from eavesdroppers."
/" Is it of moment, and am | interested
in what you have to say, Herbert :"
" Hear and Judge, Master Hail." returned
the falconer.
Come to my room, Herbert know
thee too well to doubt that any but some
pressing errand would at this hour bring thee
hither."
Wyndham procured a lamp, and Her.
bert followed him. They entered the youths
apartment, and closed the door carefully.
Now for thy tldings Herbert, and cut
the story short, or my absence may be no.
ticed by my uncle, and chafe his temper"
I" have seen ghost" said the falconer.
Pish-what folly, old man. My kins-
man would not have thanked thee much to
have called him from his guests, and given
him such intelligence"
"You may smile, Master Wyndham, but
| saw it plain as see you; and afterward.
observed its shadow on the wall"
Ghosts leave no shadows, master fal-
coner. Hast thou not been too familiar
with the ale-buul Come, Herbert, keep
thy spectre for tomorrow, and to bed. I'll
to The hall, and he raised the lamp, and
moved towards the door.
" "Stay-for Gods sake listen but a mo-
ment. am not drunk nor doting. The
tale will surprise you"
"WeII, be brief, Herbert. Know We
not what discourtsey it is to leave my un-
cle's festival 2"
" My tale shall be a short one, Master
Hal. was returning from the hazel copse,
where | had harboured an outlying stag for
our chase tomorrow and my nearest path
you know, lay through the ancient plea
sure-grounds. | entered the shrubbery
! and when | turned the angle of the build
ing, saw a light beaming from the window
of the old oratory, which the Lady Marga-
ret occupied some fifty years ago, and
which, as | have heard, the Masters bride
uses for her acts of devotion. 1t was mar
iya / that ,yba MI &
ing IN the castle, any one should remain al
prayer; and fearing some taper had been
forgotten, waited to ascertain what had
caused light in a part of the building to
which so few have access. Presently the
} window that looks to the angle of the tow
er was unclosed. A man stood there for Q
minute, looked out upon the night, mutter-
ed something | could not hear, closed the
easement, and retired"
"Pshaw, Herbert, it was only the Lady
} Barbara, or Gillian her maid. When wa,
+ it, old man, that this occurrcdl"
"Not five minutes since. Had proc
been wanting that my sight had not deceiv.
ed me, shadow Of a man, as it were it
the act of fencing, fell on the tower wall
!, | looked some minutes longer; the shadow
I disappeared, but the light, when | left thu
p tower, continued burning steadily"
i Good Herbert, is this no coinage of ia,
brain-no trickery Of vision 7"
None, by the God of heaven 1t strucl
me to he so strange, that | could not res
= until ] apprised the Master of the circum
o stance"
Better, Herbert, have told it as vol
have to me. A mana light; /; it must b
D looked to. Col will join thee at tn
q southern tower. Keep thy counsel, Her
: bert"
e Fear me not, Master Wyndham. Ian
no tale-maker."
Well" said the youth, /" if this tale b
true, cannot fathom woman. No, no
: it's impossible. The fame of Barbara Max
n well was never tainted by breath Of sus
n pIcion. 'Tis a mistake; but duty to IN
kInsman demands that ! should clear tn
mystery away"
D He saId-thrcw a cloak round him
] beted on his sword, and in few minute
J. Joined the falconer a, the appointed place
1.-THE light burns steadily" said the Of,
retainer, " and no, "A minute since, a fora
{ too tall for woman's crossed the easement
e Herbert, we will soon put thy story q
! the test" returned WyS5hsm. "The case
ment is not high move softly on, and
will mount upon your shoulder. canno
iutrudc upon the lsdy's privacy, for she
n in the hall ere now. Come, sBd step eau
6. tiou4ly."