The Washingtonian., 1845-06-07

sailants; but he knew they would stand by
| him to man.
"Have at them, my bold fellows" he said.
| !" England to the rescue. A Marston-a Mare
toni" and thus shouting his war-cry, at the
head Of his gallant band and with his lance in
rest, he galloped down upon the foe.
| Overpowered by numbers, and worn out by
| a desperate resistance, the few knights and
men n-at-arms who remained with the Lady
Blanche--for long before Lord Waltham, deem
| ing tie battle lost, had put spurs to his steed
and fled from the field--were on the point Of
giving up the contest, when they were cheered
by a well-known war-cry that rose even over
the din of the conflict,t and brought comfort
and hope to their iainting bosotns Ar the
tsame instant looking UP, they saw the young
knight laundering hown the hill, his long white
plume streaming behind him, and his followers
furiously gaAopng in his rear.
"St George for merry England Stand fast
awhile longer, brave gentlemen" said the
knight OH whom the command had devoved.
:. and the day will yet be ours. Neville !"
and charging into the heart of the fne, where,
with his huge sword, he laid about him right
manfuily. ms s,a st
"A Douglas. For God and st Andrew
A Douglas Douglas!" was the response Of
| the foe.
But now, like torrent sweeping down the
/ hill, like awhirlwn3 careerng oyer the plain.
A the little band Of Claude, with fixed lances,-
burst full upon the foe, who, turning like
4 wild boar at bay, fiercely confronted this new
enemy. The shock was like the meeting Of
i two opposite waves in the mouth of tde-way.3
For moment6oth h assaiants and assaied shook
in their saddles, but the mpetuous charge Of
! Claude's weghty men-at-arms, soon bore down
4 The lighter horsemen of the Scots, whose pros
trate forms were instantly ridden over by the
victors as they pursued their career. Right on
like an arrow, scattering ruin on this eide and
\ Ithat--with his eye never losing sight for a
! moment Of the white dress Of the Lady Blanche
Claude Marston kept his course; and not until
he stood at her side did he look back TO see the
enemy flying in every direction across the plain.
4 "The day is yours, Sir Claude" said Sir
John Neville, her squire, i've had been lost
but for your timely succor." NJ
"Nayl Give the glory 10 God and the saints,
who brought me up 80 opportunely. But see--
your lady has tainted !"
u It was even SO the Lady Blanche, after
bearing all the horrors Of the conflict, had, in
the instant Of victory, suddenly tainted away.
n aThere is an abbey but a mile hence, over
the hiJl She can find shelter there" said Sil
!, John luckily we have a litter with us.
You, Sir Claude. guard her thither, while see
!, to the wounded .r 3sa g
"Nay, nay, let this be my task" said Claude;
and notwithstanding every rernonstrance, Sir
! John was forced to attend his mistress TO the
abbey. iA a
The truth is Claude did not desire to impose
(on Lady Blanche the painful task Of returning
f him thanks, when he knew her heart must be
a prey to the modification consequent on Lord
Waltham's flight He. therefore, after he had
seen the wounded carefully borne to the abbey
gate, was about to pursue his journey without
stopping, when message was delivered from
the Lady Blanche asking an interview. There
was now no escape, and he alighted.
But Claude would have given worlds to have
avoided the interview. He feared for his COM
posure-feared that by some look or word he
Imight betray his love; feared that the Lady
Blanche would feel bound to speak boneyed
words of thanks when she knew and scorned
his suit.
The route to her apartments led through the
garden, and as Claude was slowly pursuing his
way, with his eyes bent on the ground, he
heard deep sigh near him. Looking up he
found himself near the closters; and on seat,
only separated from him by some rose-bushes,
was the Lady Blanche. She held something to
her lips. Was he in dream, or could it be
the bunch Of now faded flowers which he had
once given her! He could not be mistaken
There was the well-known ribbon with which
they were still tied. She murmured his name
too, as she kissed them. Without second
thought, carried away by the rapture Of the
discovery, Claude put aside the bushes and
knelt before her, Just as she rose from her seat
alarmed, surprised, and overcome with maideny
shame.
81 have long loved you," he said passion
ately. "Dear Lady Blanche, you do not des
pise my suit ~
She could not speak, but moved her hand
for him to rise, and fell weeping into his arms.
We spare the bushes Of the Lady Blanche !;
but, as her face Law hidden on the bread bosom
Of her lover she confessed how long she had
secretly loved him, ard owed herself properly
punished for her momentary f,rtstinn for the
i LADY Blanche had returned bis affection even
on that memorable morning when he gave her
the rose-buds; ; woman's whim had prompted
her words on that occasion but, ever since,
the little bouquet had been worn next her
heart. Pride had kept her, however, from
coming to an explanation until Claudes alter
ed demeanor made her fear that his affections
had changed. w
They were married, Claude Marston and
the Lady Blanche; but the craven Earl Of
Waltham vas not even hidden to the wedding.