Madison Whig advocate. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1839-1841, 1839-04-20

small chapel attached TO the walls.
) came forth a stranger with slow step
as II afraid by any sudden movement OF
soaring the poor girl away. The wall
still between them il is true but the
stranger held his giddy footing easily
on the top of the bank and the wall was
there not breast high.
Mary of Mantua drew back she turn
ed one timid glance towards the monas-
terry; If was within sight; the people W no
were slowly preparing the carriage
were within call the stranger was alone
too. But there was an open candour in
his looks, a nobility in his demeanor, a
frank free grace in his countenance that
struck and won upon her. He was in
the prime of youth, with warm glow
ing cheek and a bright eye. The full
archlng lips parted in somewhat Of a
smile, at her apprehensions, and there
was cheerful glance in his eye that
spoke of bright free spirit. Above
the ordinary height, tall and graceful,
though his features were like some that
she had seen before, his person and
complexion were any thing but Italian,
and had he not spoken the language
without the slightest accent she might
have taken him for some of the follow
ers of the house of Austria. The whole
however was extremely pleasing, and
though still some what alarmed she at
length yentured TO ask what were his
wishes.
'-Be not afraid ladyI'' he answered in
a low sweet toned voice, II came to save
you from danger, not to place you in it,
Approach little nearer, for must speak
low, and must not be seen by any
8 but you.''
She took step near TO the place where
he stood, still looking upon him as a tim
id lawn looks at those who would draw
it to eat bread out Of their hand.
''Listenl'' he said, ''listen Mary of
Mantua, for what | have to say imports
you much to know, and have a short
time to say it. Your hand is a prize for
which three princes now will stri G..
First. Vincenzo, Duke of Mantuar'
"Heaven forbidI' exclaimed Mary, in
a tone Of fear, ''can you mean my uncle!''
Gwen so!'' answered the stranger
''but hear me out fair maid, for time is
shortl the next is one you know we'll,
Ferrand Prince of Guastella."
Il know him not cried Mary, with
look of horror. ''Once, only once,
have l seen his dark and lowering face,
but have heard enough to make me alb
hor the ground that bears him"
The stranger made no comment but
went on-'sthe third is Charles, Duke of
Rhetel."
san alien to our race, and the son of
my fathers enemy" exclaimed Mary.
The stranger smiled, apparently well
pleased.
1.There are three princes" he sand,
''but what say you Lady, If a simple
gentleman of noble birth, and of some
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS these princes, fate,
! fortune, and all the world to boot, we re
to enter the list for that fair hand"
..He were a bold MANI answered
Mary, with deep blush.
Thank God he is a bold man." re-
piled the stranger, "but to my more pres
sing task, for see the carriage is nearly
ready. The Prince of Guastella is now
! within the territory of Mantua; he
:, knows that this night you enter the
: city. If you 90 by the ordinary road
: you will fall into his hands, and nothing
! but miracle can save you from his pow :
err. When you come to the vineyard of
, Perrotti, just opposite the castle of Fred
! erick di Sasso, order the driver to turn
: down the left hand road and follow it TO
the city. Aid shall be near at hand II
needful but it were better, far better
to avoid than to encounter evil"
''Oh! better far better'' echoed Ma
r ry-"but oh. gentle stranger, do not
leave me. If you have power, give me
, protection against that daring manm
: II will not be far from thee, fair and
< brightest" replied the stranger, "but
G have | not said that am without power
e in the land. What this hand can do
shall be done in your defence and if il
o be needfuI to pour out the last drop OF
:, nv hearts blood, ii shall be staked as
: freely as a gamblers ducat. A few
: faithful servants too that will not finch
: from their poor master in the hour Of
n need; and if you are saved from haz
o ard, my guerdon shall be one kiss ofthy
fair hand-shall it not be SOP
e 'sHe you might claim far better boon
/ than that" cried Mary eagerly.
b 3Well. then, it shall be so," he said
" ''one kiss of those fair lips-Bat now
o bethink you, Lady, how you will NICE
p your uncle. If, as sure | am he will, he
D, offers. contrary to Gods law, to make
: his brothers. child his wife, be wise, anC
L drive not his passionate mind to frenzy
If He has wife still living, but the bond:
IL between them the church is now abou
e to sever Be cautious, use no harsh re
d pugnance. Tell him that you can hea
e no such words so long as he is uncle, ant
y husband to another; that all these bond
le must be ioosened, ere you can even lie
l. his words rest in your ear. But 10! the.
ID seek you; must away contrive som
ID short delay. that may reach the pom
IN of danger first Tomorrow, at TIN
le hour, If YOU have returned, will see
tn you here"
rs Thus saying, the stranger turned an
left her, and in few minutes the SCI
I'd wants sought her, saying that the carr
a age was ready. The directions of tn
5. stranger she followed implicitly, tru
e ting with the confidence of inexperien'
u