The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1839-01-02
SELECTED TALES.
From the n. Y Mirror
THE FAVORITE MAID OF HONOR.
BY JOHN ST. HUGH MILLS.

BY JOHN ST. HUGH MILLS.
Her lip was silent, scarcely beat her heart,
Her eye alone proc laimed we viii not part
Thy hope may perish, or thy friends may flee
Farewell to life-but not adieu to tkee"
Morning just dawned. The first rays OF
the orb of day tipped cheerfulIy the turrets
of the venerable Windsor castle, making
the proud fabric look ms if crowned with
gold the velvet emerald turf, sparkled and
glowed with brilliant dew drops the
Thames wlnded his graceful, careless folds,
flashing in the sportve beams like a stream
of light, aud murmured his tuncful, unceas-
lng song withia stones throw of the
stately pile. The royal standard floating
proudly in the breeze upon the Tower, sig
nlhcd England's youthful queen was uuder
its time defying roof The grave sentinels
paced their allotted watch with measured
tread; not voice was heard, aud silence
reigned unbroken.
The opening of window, looking on
the terrace, occasioned n veteran to cast
his eyes upward, and seeing the form of
loosely nltired female, a rcdness overspread
his iron features, as If he had committed n
breach of duty, aud averIing his head, he
became moliuuless as one of the surround
ing statues.
- With head recined upon her arm, Amie
Wingroye gazed upon the fairy scene from
her chamber, unconscious of us lnscIna-
tions. Her face, usually so happy in ex-
preston, was pale, aud marked with anx-
iety her eyes were cast downward, bear
: ing evident appearance of weeping, and
her lips moved quickly, as if holding silent
council with her thoughts: for no sound es-
capped them. She was the only child of
Col. Wingrove, an officer distinguished for
every desirable qualification, excepting, on
ly, that magnet for attracting the worlds
good opinion Upon his death
'he liberal pension, allowed by his grateful
country for his meritorious and brave con
duct, Of course, ceased and his daughter,
is spoiled and beautiful favorite, was left
lmost destitute. This being known to her
majesty, the distinguished appointment of
4" maid of honor" was Immediately confer
-ed upon her, a vacancy having fortunately
ccurred and Annie soon became the fa-
,nrte yet unenvied companion of her roy
al mistress. Seldom WAS the queen, either
riding or walking, without her laughing
merry attendant being close to her side,
/ md mutual pleasure existed in each Others
ociety, as free from all restraint and form
rs in the friendship of private life. Long
aud loud was the laugh which would ring
cheerfully from the room where they stole
hours together, away from pomp and weary
ing grandeur. The song, lish: as birds
would peal upon the ear of the gratIfied
listener, astonishing hIm with the reality
of n queens being capable of indulging III
pleasures with companion; and being a
fight hearted merry girl, whose brow never
seemed to feel the weight ef massive
crown, nor the empty glitter Of regal pomp
blinding her from the real happiness which
may be derived from social amusement
Day after day rolled on with the same re-
ciproca feelings of esteem and attachment
ill one morning, after a ball, her majesty
having nutced the marked attention oi
Lord BraudestOne, "A young officer IN the
guards, to Annie, playfulIy remarked
"there wns much soft whispering between
YOU and Lord Brandestone last evening
Annie"
Ere the conclusion of the observation
Annie started like a frightened fawn, Will
bushes niantled upon her cheeks, and 6
manner so strangely hesitating and confus-
ed, that astonishment profound took the
place of the playful expression on thu
queens countenance. She hastily inquired
"What is the matter, Aael How very
singular that my allusion should occasion
this exceeding disturbance Of feeling"
Nothing-nothing. Indeed your mai
esty, there is nothing" replied Annie, with
such haste, thst it was quite obvious there
wa, something exactly contrary in meaning
to the expression.
"Come, come, yeu mus, conide the Sc
cret to me, or we shall subject his lordshIT
to our royal dspleasure for tratoriously u
sIrping our station in the affections ofa bes
loved subject" said the queen laughing.
Then 1t will be unerit ed, for no ont
could occupy that, no, not even he; crleC
Annie, with excited voice aud flushed brow
Not even he;" repeated the queen, slow
ly and seriously.
Then you have unkindly neglected Il
communicate this affair to me. Oh, Annie
did not anticipate you would be so verl
alent upon a subject that should have beef
iold ms without the slightest hesitation o.
} coneealmeni."
|" PRAY, forgive me !" exclaimed tb,
weeping girl, al was very wrong; hut
butt"
But you preferred keeping the secret
Well, well, in our clemeney We forgive IL
but you must confess now, no tbsnks t'