The Columbian fountain., 1846-03-14

A ROMANCE.---ROGER DUTTON; OR
| THE TRUE PROPHECY. lasta
(BY G. P. R. JAMES - .
.4uts0r 0ffDasnley" 'Richelieu," !" "Ihe Rob
ber," "JMary Of B~g,nady,' &c.
| CHAPTER III.
"What now. what now ~ cried the
Constable of Chester Castle. "What is all
this about? What has mad Roger Dutton
been doing now? My son-in-law /? By
the Lord, | believe if ever he becomes my
son-in-law, he'll set Chester afre, and
make all the fddler's in the country come
and play to the fames!'' y
Such were the words that Roger Dutton
heard as he approached-the gate of the cas-
tie, but, nevertheless, he came on laughing;
for he knew good old Hellfre de Lacy
well, and that, notwithstanding the very
fierce and savage nickname which he had
acquired by some rash and daring, but CHI
valrous enterprises of his youth, he was
good-hearted but quick-spirited knight as
any at the court of England. His hopes,
his fears, his passions of every kind, in
short, were in blaze in a moment, but
were extinguished as quickly; and there
was one quality, at least which was lasting
and unchangable-his devotion to those he
loved.
"Ha, ha, ha my noble Lord, . cried Dut-
ton, as he came up, tive have had a rare
encounter with old Glanyille The william
has been so insolent, that had he not been
in his court where one must show some
respect for the law, would have made the
people take him and put him in the horse
pond, up to his chin, to quench the unho-
ly fire that burns in the veins of the old
satyr."
"No more brawling-no more brawling,
Roger " cried the good Lord de Lacy.
con my life, never see thee go forth but
expect to hear that thou hast been stock
ed or put in the pillory; but thou hast done
worse for thyself, can tell thee, good Ro-
ger,n he continued, ethan if thou hadst
been in the stocks for an hour.''
ssWhy, what now 70 cried Roger Dutton,
sswhat have done but protect poor in
nocent girl from being shut up in prison
at the will and discretion of this corrupt
Judge till the fair be over-there is no great
harm in that, my Lord, l trow ~
"Faith, | know nothing about it," re-
piled De Lacy, Struggling his shoulders;
" but when my girl Mary saw thee with
the wench in thy arms she turned as white
as Flemish sheet, the tears came up in
her eyes, and away she went to her cham
Der like startled rabbit to it's burrow,
without ever looking behind her. HE thee
away to her, Roger Dutton, and make thy
peace. Body of Judas what hot house
you two will make of it when you are mar
ried, if you go on thus with one flame or
another during courtship. First it is love,
then it is jealousy, then it is anger, then
it comes round to love again. If one had
but a turnspit dog ready, one could roast
haunch of venison at your fire any day in
the week.o
"She shall never have any cause for
jealousy, my lord,' replied Roger Dutton,
6 either before or after marriage"
"Tut, tut make no rash vow, Roger?n
cried the old lord. g If thou keepest that,
thou art the first Dutton that ever lived of
the kidney, and sieves will carry water
ever after. Well, HE thee to her, boy,
and soothe her down! will talk to these
good hearted folks thou hast brought, and
hear the tale from them. Night is drawing
on, and we must soon to the table,"
81 beseech you, my good lord, deal
with Allan and his young love kindly"
said Roger Dutton. "Pve seen him with
Prince Henry's band, and, if | remember
right, he was reputed good soldier. As
for the girl, too, thongh she be truant,
she's no light-o'-love, will warrant her."
Warrant her, Roger Dutton?" cried
the old knight, laughing till the tears ran
down his cheeks; think of Roger war
ranting a maids honesty! Get thee gone
get thee gone to thy jealous-pated lady
love, and make the pretty linnet believe
thee as innocent as an Easter lamb, if thou
canst, Roger Dutton. Bring her down to
supper at all events, and we will patch up
your peace again somehow"
Roger Dutton waited not for more bid
ding, but entered the castle, and strobe
away to fair Mary de Lacy's chamber. As
in duty and propriety bound, he knocked
at the door three several times first, low
and humbIy, like sparrow picking up
seeds of grain-next, somewhat more loud
/