Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1853-06-09


sHopes the grace which yet he fears to win"
sAh replied she, fear is no word for your
grace TO use.'"
IL never knew it before,' replied be.
"How grateful. my liege." cried Anna,
smiling, ''you ough, to be to me,-thnk OF
the value Of new sensation"
81 can think of nothing but YOURSELF"
was the answer; shut know you not. sweet
heart, it is ST. Valentines day Will you
be mine, and wear the token tha, bring :"
Anna made no reply; but her small fng-
ers remained clasped in the kings, who
stood watching the down-cas. face, that bad
never seemed more lovely. How did your
grace come here - asked Anna. putting the
question for want Of something to say.
"There is "a sublerranean passage into the
room below; like true knight, passed
through The darkness, lo sun myself IN my
lady's eyes. But tell me sweet, will you
wear my token, and be my true and faith
! full valentine -
| Again Anna remained silent; but the si-
f! lence was sufficient assent, and Henry seal
ed the promise on her lp. He then pro-
| duced red velvet ca<ket, from whence be
took caskanet, Of precious stones, fastened
bv rubies. in the shape Of a true lovers knot,
which formed their united ciphers. The
maIden's eyes flashed with pleasure as she
gazed on the splendid of+rIng; but the
genius Of flalery, which is the element OF a
cour, did not desert her.
"They are magniiicen'," whispered she;
I'bu, cannot prize them more than 81 oud
4 Ia Ao {,
IL believe it my beauty" exclaimed the
king. "Wait but lirlle while, and all Eng
land shell attest The love ! bear her who
will then be its mistress. But will not
60 hence without token in return. viii
you give me this lille ring - and he took
up The one which Lord Percy had once
placed the hand which now lay passive
in another's.
"Tba. ring" exclaimed Anna, vainly
struggling with her confusion 81. is moi
worth your grace's acceptance"
Henry's brow da'kened, and he examined
The ring closely. "Oh see," said he, in
one of those cold, harsh tones he could
sometimes assume, sit Is love-loken.
should be sorry to interfere with any tender
.fecolleclions,n and he allowed her hand to
dep f.,.,., ,Iio own.
Anna saw ii was dangerous ground but
she had now recovered her seIf-possession.
"The ring," said she, ''was my mothers;
would not part with ii but 10 your grace !;
my whole heart goes with H." and taking
his hand, she placed The ring upon it.
81 take the gf'. sweet one" replied the
king.-al traces If displeasure utterly pass
ed owsy,-"l shall never look upon il bul
to think how truly and lendrrly am be-
loved. Bot it is late,-good night, my fair
valentine! ! ] shall see you tomorrow
Anna remained for some minutes stand
ing where he left her, leaning against the
oak table The widest dream of her i'm
aginarion was on the eve of being realized :;
her faith was plIghled TO the king Of Eng
land yet it was no, Of him she though,
low pleading voice was in her ear, and
Lord Percy's dark eyes seemed to reproach
her falsehood, mechanically she looked to
the place where she had last seen his ring :;
i. was gone, and in its place lay the glitter
ing caskanel. 1t was flecked with drops of
blood as she had leaned on the table, its
bright sharp points had cut her arm. Anna
was insensibIe 10 the pain,-she though,
only of the omen!
1t was again evening, and Anna was again
seated in lonely chamber, but far different
10 her former apartment in The lurIet. A
few, very few years had passed since then,
and her face was still lovely as ever, but the
character of lis loveliness was changed -
The eyes were restless, and the lashes had
the brightness of unshed tears. A hectic
color seemed to burn the cheek on which
il rested, aud the once full lip was pale and
thin. She was leaning back in cumbrous
armchair; and her black dress gave gloom
to her whole appearance, which all accord
ed with her slender and airy figure, and
face whose native vivacity neither sorrow
nor suffering could quite subJue il had
been but briefreign for the young and love
ly queen, and a short step from the trone to
the Tower; for in the Tower was that
gloomy chamber where she was keeping
her solitary virgil. Her gay and careless
giFIhood, at the French court, passed vivid
lv before her Again she triumphed in be-
ing the ch nsen Of so accomplished cavalier
as Lord Percy. The Seine seemed to spread
far away IN the silver moonlight, as bright
as her Then unbroken spirits. IL have paid
dearly, Percy" multered she, sfor The vani-
ty that broke faith with love-" Never till
in that moment of lis utter want had Anna
BoIeyn felt The value of affection.
She started from her dream to know that
she was a prisoner, tried and condemned.
on whom even now rested the shadow of
the scoffold. "lt is not possible ~ exclaim-
ed she, starting from her seat, and wrlnging
her hands in paroxsm Of anguish; she is
fierce, he is cruel, bu, he cannot see lha,
head go down in blood to the dust, which
he has so often laid upon his heart! /