The spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1840-1844, 1840-12-11


castle-Blanche-for it was she-was sobbing o
the shoulder of the young knight, as if her hear
would break, while he. bending tenderly over he
delicate form, strove to soOh her by thousan
words, such as lovers only use, His own hear
was sad enough but in comforting her, Stanley hal
forgot its grief.
"Oh! Henry" sobbed Blanche, in broken ac
cents, "you do not believe that knew any thin!
OF this, for until my tire-woman told me, knew
not you were going, could not believe it, knew
my father could not be so ungrateful, and sought
him to learn the truth-but oh! the terrible stern
ness with which he bid me leave his presence and
never utter your name more. knew not what
dear Stanley, to think; some one has wrongcd
terribly wronged you. But say, only say once more
that you believe me innocent"
81 do say it, dearest-nothing can ever make
me believe to the contrary But OH Blanche,
when am gone, they will tell you thousand
things of me which you must not believe feel
it, know it, would put you on your guard against
only one left to love me now-lhat you will not
credit aught against my honor. You shall hear
from me whenever cand send message; and
amid hardship or danger, detraction, will never
forget my Blanche"
"They cannot prevent me from loving you,"
sobbcd Blanche, cnging closer to her lover, 9" if
all desert you will still be your own Blanche"
"Thank you-my be|oved-your words are my
only consolation. If we are true to each other,
they may well do their wors'
"But am not Il foolish Maiden" said Blanche,
with sudden energy, as if ashamed of her despon-
dency, "why should we think every thing so hope
less. Believe it, dear Stanley, better times will
come for us; my father is sudden in his anger, but
you know he is soon appeased; and when he learns
the wrong he has done you, as learn it he will, his
generous spirit will hasten to repair the injury
And then," she added, her eyes smiling through
her tears, as she looked up fondIy into her lovers
face, ''we shall once more be appy--and-and-"
She finished the sentence by hiding her blushing
face in SANKEY'S bosom,
The young knight listened to her musical voice
as these bright hopes fitted through her brain, but
though he could not share in her sangunc feelings,
he would not, by single word of doubt, destroy
her happy dream. lie stopped down therefore and
kissing her cheek, he said.
"God grant the day may soon come, but-but
now, dearest, must leave you-I would not that
others should know of this interview, and there
fore let us part be'imes." And then galy adding,
81 go to found anew my house, and as must
struggle against many an odds, has not my Blanche
some little token to give her knight, to cheer him
in his carcer' Say, sweetest"
"Takc this scarf" said the maiden, in trenb-
ling voice, "and whenever you look upon it, re-
member that, though all the world desert you,
Blanche is still truc''
81 will reverence it next to my God and you,"
said Stanley, and kissing the gift, he placed it in
his bosom.
A few more words were spoken and then Blanche
once more dissolved in tears, suffered last en-
brace from her lover, and bidding him again to be
confident in her TRUTH slid from his caress, and in
another moment, after turning around at the door
to wave last adieu, was lost to SANKEY'S sight
lie gazcd until the las, futicr of her white dress
had vanished and the hollow echo of the door rang
through the silent chapel, when with sigh, turn
ing upon his heel, he left the apartment to enter it
no more for ycars-pcrhaps never.
And Blanche hurried to her chamber, and taking
lock of hair Stanley had given her from her BOSOM
she kissed passonately, and bursting into tears
wept long and unrcservcdy.
The preparations of the young knight were soon
finished and determining to stay no longer in the
house than was absolutely necessary, he lay down
toward midnight to snatch few moments repose.
AT the first streak of morning in the east, how
ever, he rose from his couch, and mounting his
horse, amid the blessings of all the servants of the
case-ior, aware of his intended departure, they
had watched for the moment he should leave, and
now focked around him-hc set forth upon his
solitary journey. lie looked up at the windows of
Blanche's apartment as he passed, and, even at
that early hour he saw white hand waving scarf
in adeu. lie knew it at once. She too had watch
ed then for the moment of his departure. The tears
almost came into his eyes as he thought what a
prize he had won in the guileless affection of her
pure young heart; and he vowed anew to dare
in order TO win name which might
entle him to claim her as his equal and thus in
some measure TO repay her noble affection. lie
kissed his hand at Blanche, gave one long look at
her form through the easement, plunged his rowels
into the sides of his steed and dashed rapidly down
the rocky causway that led from the drawbridge,
his spurs jingling, and the fire nyrg from beneath
his horses hoofs.
And thus Stanley left the castle of bis former
bcnefactor. And in all that wide range of turret-
ted buildings, upon which the morning sun just be-
pan to glitter, there were but two hearts that did
not grieve at his departure, and one of them al
ro,d, Le,,n half IN repen IFS rashness though lis