Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1841-05-29

thousands before and since, the hercss
found how fearful it was to love without
hope.
Meantime the preparations for the tour
nament proceeded. and on the morning of
the expected day, crowds throngcd to the
plain in front Of the castle, on which the
lists had been erected. The unriyallcd
beauty of the heiress, in whose honor the
festivities were to be given, had drawn to-
gether the chivalry Of the realm. and Sc
RES OF Courses was expected to be run,
such as had not been heard of for many
years. But especially every tongue was
loud in the praise of the young Earl of
Hastings, who had Just returned from the
Holy land, where he had been since bow
hood, with the reputation of the best lance
of the army. There were many, however.
of the competitors who snecred at his pre-
tensions and promised themselves to I'M
horse him at the first shock.
Margaret" said her father on the morn
| ing of the tournament, ''yOu will see lord
Hastings in the lists to-day, and | wish you
to mark him well, for having heard Of you
by report. he has solicited your hand
Such an alliance would raise higher than
ever our noble house. did not hesitate.
But now never blush, sweet one: YOU maid
ems are ever thus-what. in tears. Go to
your bower, child, and get ready for the
pageant. Many proud dame will envy
your lot to-day"
+ Little did the infcxible though affection
ate father know of the agony he was in
ticting on that young heart. Margaret. saw
that her doom was sealed, and she knew
her parent too well even to cXpostulatc.-
She went TO her chamber, but it was to
weep. All hope was over She had nour-
ished the romantic idea of continuing faith
full to her unhappy lover by refusing every
alliance, never dreaming that her father
would interfere. Short sighted girll AL
ready had he chosen for her. and she knew
that the DEGREES of fate were less nhexiblc
than her parent.
At length however, she aroused herself
andprocecdcd to the lists in all the pompo Of
the hcireSs of her fathers vast possessions.
How few knew the heavy heart which
ihrobbcd in agony beneath that jcwciIcd
boddicc. The lists were gorgcouslv fitted
up. \ gallery in their centre opposite to
where the shock of the conbatauis would
take place WAS appropriated to Margaret
who was to preside as queen Of the festiv-
tiles. Around We're her fathers countless
guests, numbering half the nobility Of the
realm, their wives and daughters flashing
with jewels, and all envying the fortunate
being, who, at that moment. would willingly
have exchanged her rank and splcndor for
the peasants garb, if it came attended hy
happiness.
The tournament began. Several courses
had been run with various success. when
herald rode into the lists and proclaimed
that three courses vet rcmaiuci. nil OF
which Sir Robert u, Lancy. Il renowned
knight, would engage in with any three
combatants. until oycrpoWcred or Nictor-
Gus. Several knights Instantly presented
themselves. The lot fell upon three, the
Earl of Warren, Sir Edward Sidney. and
\ Lord Hastings. At once the challenger
presented himself for the first antagonist
But the skill of his opponent was in vain
| Lord Warren was hurled bleeding to the
ground.
The Earl of Hastings now rode into the
lists. and at his appearance buzz of adj
miraton ran around the spectators. His
micn, his craftsmanship. his comparative
youth, and the renown he had brought with
him from the east. enlisted the popular wish
in his favor. Nor did he disappont it,
At the first shock he splintered his lance
against his antagonists front. while De
Laney's shaft Just grazcd by him. The
older knight reeled in the saddle, and scarce
ly saved himself from falling. A shout of
general applause rewarded the young Earl's
skill.
But there yet remained an equally re-
nowned competitor with whom to contend.
By the laws Of the tournament, Sir Edward
Sidney had a right to contest with the con-
queror for the honOrS of the dav. a priv
ilege Of which he instantly signified his in
tention of awaiting himself With equal
readiness the young Earl prepared for the
contest. The combatants took their places.
and after a brcathess hush of an instant
the signal was given, and they vanished
from their stations. The shock of their
meeting was like that of an earthquake.
The knight directing his lance full at his
adyersary'S breast, aimed TO bear him by
' main force to the ground, but at the very
p instant Of meeting, the young Earl bent in
= the saddle to evade the blow, and altering
: the direction Of his own lance as he did so
5 he bore it full upon the breast of his an.
tagonist, striking him with such force as t.
: hurl him from the saddle like stone from
D sling. The discomhited knight fell hcav
+ lily to the EARTH and was borne off by hi.
D squires; while the victor swept onward annie
n the acclamations Of the spectators. The
: heralds now proclaimed Lord Hastings the
i