The Yazoo Whig and political register. (Yazoo City, Miss.) 1840-1842, 1842-12-09

ola woman; notwithstanding long life
lpassed IN blind and implicit compliance with
every mandate Of her imperous masters, 4
pang smote upon the heart of the withered5
crone as she contemplated the destruction
Iof the young and beautiful creature who
conhded in her, and by whom she had never
been addressed save in gentleness. She
too we'll knew, however, that from the viii
iof The Knight there was no appeal; and ere
she lay down that night on her bed, she
knelt and terVently prayed that the saints
would absOlVe her from crime, of which she
was only the humble and unaVailing instru-
ment.
The morrow, SO big with fate for tbs
daughter of Count GiFich, came at last
The dawn broke brightly, and the risen sun
! Hooded the earth and the broad river with
glory; its cold but brilliant beams glanced
upon the boar frost, and tinged every object
with the hues of jewels, without possessing
sufficient warmth to rob the slightest bough
of its pendant icicle; and the sharp elastic
wind swept keenly and beautifully across the
tsky, driving before it the light masses of
vapor that hung like snow-wreaths on the
deep blue of the frosty sky.
1t was precisely one of those days when
the very fact of every existence is an enjoy
ment; and the captive girl, forbidden the
indulgence Of exercise, and painting to in
hale the bright freshness of the morning,
! flung back her easement and stood in her
usual attitude with her eyes turned towards
her own loved home, while the breeze scat
tered her golden tresses far and wide, and
gave richer coloring TO her cheek
A sound beneath the easement attracted
her attention, and as she cast down her
| eyes she discovered Sir Ralph of Podmaniri
standing Immediately below her chamber
with gloomy brow and folded arms He
/ looked up as she was preparing to move a.
way, and demanded in harsh tone DO YOU
TelentP 1t is not vel too late;' but she,
Withdrew without youching any reply; nor
was it until she heard the heavy footballs Of
the knight upon the Crisped earth as he Iefa
i the rampant, that she Ventufed to return and
close the window. i -
i The apparitioh of her detessed captOF de-
stroyed at once the niomentaFy calm which
! bad crept over the spirit Of the lady; fOf Il
convinced fIET tIuot-saa uaas still the subject
Of his thoughts; and it was consequently
with renewed uneasiness that she seated
herself to the solitary meal which was spread
| for her at sunset by her attendant. Had she
been less occupied by herown Thoughts she
could not have failed to remark the Unusual
trepidation Of the old woman, who repeat.
edly crossed. herself as she changed the
dishes; and hastily averted heFhead when-
ever the gentle prisoner Glanced to look to-
wards her.
Languidly as the Lady Hedwig partook OF
the food which was placed before her; the
4 repast at length terminated, and she asked
as usual for the goblet of water, which was
slowly presented to her by hel attendant
She was in the act Of raising it to her lips
when the report Of a rife was heard, and the
warder's horn suddenly pealed out its warns
ling of an approaching enemy.
i The saints have heard my prayers, sinner
as ] AMI exclaimed the aged woman assRe
dashed the goblet from the hand Of the as
q tonished maiden, and flung herself Vehe-
mentlJ upon her knees. The Virgin, bless
Jsed be her name! wills not that you should
perish. Ave Maria! you are saRed.'
what means this strange emotion?' asked
, the Lady; as she rose from her seat, and
/ shook away the water which had been seats
} tered over her dress.
Il You are saved 7 repeated the old woman;
, saved when thought there was no help
saved on hevery threshold Of the grave
D "A deep gFoan was the only reply, as hef
!, repentani companion covered hef face with
. lher spread hands. as though she did ndtdars
J to look uponS her intended victim The
heart-stricken Girl inslinctvely Moved from
: beside her; and casting herself upon the
sofa, gave way TO the wretchedn6ss which
4 lassailed her, without thought beyond her
] own misery, 81 speculation 81 the cause Of
! the hurry and uproar which were going on
4 within the fortress.
+ Accustomed as she nov was @ thecon-
!. stant turmoil of maranding life, bad she
], refected for an instant on the confusion
4 hich had suddenly taken place in the cas-.
! lie. she would probably have attributed il 70
he return Of Tic elder knight and his iur.
Ebulent followers; and thus she abandoned
U lhefselfio the misery Of her conscious help.
u lessness, without even glancing from hel
III cssenrsni, OF needing the frantic gestures 81
d The Old woman who had taken Der stand Be
n side i, and who was wringing her hands Il
e. ali Inc eneFgy Of terror and despair.
a Suddenly the door Of her chamber opened
and as she looked ur 70 resent lie intrnsio
1or With which she was Threatened, she .ulteFe.
5. q cry of 10Y. and IN the ne1f instant was Il
SO IA sarraa ~ hef hrothprl