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

Summoned his daughter to his presence
and announced to her that James was de-
clared at liberty, and that he would grace
the banquet of that evening with his pres
ence; he also demanded her opinion on
the proposal he had now formally ten
dered.
sMy lord-dearest father, 1 cannot
never can love him.
Why, girl! He tells me that thou hast
not yet looked upon him; though his eye
hath rested with pleasure on thee. How
then sayest thou, thou canst not love him'
Joanna bent her knee before her father,
but she answered not; for it was in vain
she stroye TO find one objection she could
state. She had heard, even in her con-
vent, OF his handsome person, and the
nuns had loved to listen In stolen hour 10
tales of his skill as poet and musician.
The Earl drew his hand, on which she
had pressed her lips, from her grasp, and
looked sternly on her. Joanna, thou
hast not dared to fix thy affections! Do
| read that blush Alright? Girl, fondle not
on me. Thou shalt not sit at this even
ings hoard to frow on Scotland's king.
No! will say that thou shalt be his bride
tomorrow morning. But may | crave
the name of this knight errant!'
.Father, father press me not
s'Then | command thee. Speak-his
name!'
Yet, dearest father, one word and
again she seized his hand, which she COW
cred with tears and kisses. Then he rails
ed her trembling form, and supported her
with a circling arm.
Speak, then, JOANNA he said, kindly;
'but If 1t IS aught contrary TO my wishes,
let it be brief, lest | speak too, and look
harshly on thee, as did but now.'
'If name him; dearest father, wilt thou
promise me not to betray him to James!'
why, girl, art mad, to think | would
speak to him on such subject! Bat
what should that effect him whom thou
hast pleased to call thy lover?'
Father, turn thine eye from me-let
me hide my face in thy bosom when l
mention his name, and she bent her GRIM
soned brow on his arm as she half whis-
pered-Hast thou heard the name of
Roger Percy?'
Roger Percy, minion! exclaimed Som
erset, Withdrawing his arm; and again she
was kneeling before him. Roger Percy!
! the deputy of murdoc-the slave of him
who seeks thy hand'
NO, not the slave, my lord,' xclaimed
Joanna, rising, the liege subject-the faith
full adherent of James.
'Dost thou put words into my mouth,
wench! Liege SUBJ ject-faithful adherent
and all the fine jargon he hath taught
thee. call him slave! But now, good
Mistress Roger Percy, 60 10. and compose
{ thyself, | will have care he comes not
here tonight; and to morrow he will not
! dare hold love-converse with the bride OF
his king. Not word will listen to from
thy lips. Remember, on thy compliance
depends the fate Of this Percy
And he summoned Meta 10 attend her
mistress; the telling her that her bridal
dress should be prepared, he bade her
! good rest, and lett tne apartment.
Good rest, Meta! Wished not my IA
ther so! Oh! is it not very mockefy?-
The criminal may rest in his dungeon,
evea though the morrow brings death in
It's birth, for he knows the agon, is bu
for momenl-.ne weary N IrIner may
rest, though he seeks it with an ill-boding
| SKY above him, for he knows that if his
vessel but rock with slight wind that he
will awaken, and either SINK, soon to rise
again, or live meath a smiling sun with a
| light heart, but for me, Meta, l may moi
losd the acute feeling of memory retract-
ing words would had never heard
No! may not lay my head on my pillow
and forget! My poor girl, .dost thou
weep! Oh! those wearying sounds oi
song and LAUGH as tHey came in mirthful
| peais from the banquet hall: Il never heard
a night owl or a raven but gave more me-
lodious notes to my ear than this wassall-
ing
Hour after hour passed, and the sounds
died away. Joanna had, to shut them
/ from her ear, retired to the broad seat in
| the easement recess. There she sat and
looked on the calm seat of glory lying a.
round, SO silent-so soul healing-so ma
Ijestically beautiful. There was the sky
| of one UNMARRIED arch of blue, the stars in
molten gold, and the full lamp of night
with all her silvery lines, shining so peace
fully on the half shadowed tree, and lake,
and chastened flowers. Who could look
on such scene and cherish hatred to a
living being? And Joanna at that moment
felt at peace will all who call this weary
/ ing world their home; but she almost en-
We'd those who called that glorious arch
their footstool-o'er whose graves the sill
vered chequersswere cast.
But she was reused by hand resting
on her head. Half fearfully she raised
her eyes and turned them on her father
! Then she sa " that there were tears In his