The mountain sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1844-1853, 1849-07-19

cony, continued Joanna, in a tone in !
which were blended eagerness and shame;
'tell me, what did he!'
in good troth, my lady, he picked it up,
and glanced from 1t up here; then for
moment he stirred not-but suddenly he
tore It in fragments, and almost flew down
the castle walk and the tears stood in the
supplemented Netta's eyes as she saw
the half-smothered agitation of her mis-
tress.
At this moment the chapel clock began
to strike nine. Joanna caught from Net
ta's hand cloak which she was proceed
ing to fold with great care, and as she
| threw it around her, hastily desired her to
follow, descending the stairs, crossed the
grounds, and reached the outer wall before
| Meta could gain upon her steps.
Girl, it was SO; he is not here: This
has my scornful hasty temper achieved.
But we will back, instantly back, Meta.
| If Ihad-yes, even if | had thrown his
/ letter from me, he might have sought ex-
PLANTATION here. We will return. girl;'
I, but she moved not towards her home as
| she had done from ii. Oh! 1t was a slow
step that turned from the wall; and many
| a lingering look was cast behind, even till
! LllSy EcdCuSQ LIlS uOuSc.
We'll, certainly my poor lady is to be
pined, said Meta, with sorrowiul accent
as she ushered her mistress into the pres
ence of her father, and closed the door.
| Il am sure, now, that if, instead of meeting
my lords gentleman in the pIeasaunce, 1
should stand there alone, and all my own
fault, L am sure it would not be tina. gall
! liant company she is gone into, that woule
make me smile; yet she did; saw it as
closed the door,
Thus spoke the pretty simple-minded
Malta. as she stepped on her way to the
| pleasaunce meath as clear a moon as ever
shone IN blue heaven; but in her reasoning
il never occurred that the smile might be
| forced, and the eye of its orllliancy con-
ceal dimming thoughts, Or the playful tone
come from an almost choking breast; but
! she had not needed to learn so bitter q
/ lesson.
Yes! there sat the lady Joanna at her
fathers side, smiling OH the companions
surrounding him, and replying. with even
more than her usual galety to the numer-
Gus complimentary speeches. But II was
not long ere she PLEADED a slight indls-
position, and begged the Earl's leave 10
retire. Then, for the first time, he saw
that the cheek of his beloved child was
more than ordinarily flushed, and that her
eye glanced rapidly from one object to
another, as though hex mind rested not
with ease on any one subject; but this was
no time to question, and he led her to the
door, and imprinting kiss on her burning
lip, gave her again to the care of her mai
den.
III L.. tn1
the unintentional slight strobe with ner-
vous haste towards the palace. is 1t in
deed SO? he exclaimed; rs she so tickle!
will James of Scotland prevail! would she
break her pllgeted trotn for gems and bau
bles! | will declare myselt-and yet
no! if such be her lovel spurn it from me
do |! Oh! fear me not. There must
be something wrong IN this. But, then,
the ring was attached to it. | would that
this ball and mummery might proceed
without my being missed; then would l to
my appointment, and learn if she cared no
longer tor the Roger Percy of her plighted
failn; Or, if she were not there, 1 would
once again to her window, and crave
few minutes converse with hec. What
care L. he continued, as he entered the
brilliantly illuminated hall, what care
for coming power and honor if she partake
II lot with mel
Joanna had listened to the successively
struck hours of eleven and twelve, and yet
she fingered beside heI toilet with her mai
den, VINO now began TO remove jewel af-
ter jewel from her mistress person, and
place them in a casket. And now Joanna
for the first time broke the sad silence
Meta, girl, what care thou art taking
with the baubles.'
You called them not baubles this even
ing, my lady, when | exerted my poor
sill In disposing them; and, believe me, |
grieve that their effect was wasted on yon-
der rude gallants. They would have
looked far better in the pale moonbeams
than in the glare OF the hall
Silence, girl; thou art become too flip
pant. But listen! Dlds't thou not hear
something.'
The girl looked frighteded; but on the
pale face of her mistress there was an ex-
preston of intense anxiety; and she raised
her finger to her lips 20 impress silence.
Then again came the slight noise on the
window as of a pebble. Netta's face
frightened, as, immediately comprehend
ing, she threw mantle around the form
of her mistress, exclaimlng-'How un-
lucky that | should but this moment have
taken the last pearl from your hair. Stay
|. my lady; this one small branch of brill
!. iants can dispose in one short moment.