Mineral Point tribune. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1854-1858, 1854-07-20

lenge him r'
:" 1t Is yours, Henry. By my soull |
do not believe you guilty. n
Aud Yet you ordered my arrest ~
es. was credul0us tAeu. but have
considered since. And turning to the
startled crowd the monarch continued =
" Attention, my lords aud gentlemen. I
like not to break IN upon a i occasion Ike
this, but here Is something to which [ can
! not say nay. Sir Naudon du ChaStel vou
have accused Henry Ia Mutt Of murder
most foul. and your word alone supports
the accusation He demands kuightly
/ trial ~
: Not now not now !" gasped the dark
! knight, trembling at every joint Let
the marriage 90 on ~
No, coward !" cried La Mutt. aivanc-
nag towards Du Chastel. and dinging his
gauntlet upon the ground The husband
Of that pure being would not fight, even
though died .in shame. You. shall not
escape yoo~ Responsibility thus . chal-
ienge you to mortal combat, and if I
fail"
At this moment the youth was inter
rupted by tie approach of Isabella The
maiden had broken from the hold Of her
father, and with a wild cry upon her lips,
she had darted forward
Henry Henry f. she cried
| The youth started back. aud it took all
his power to coutrol himself; but with
one convulsive effort he put back the
bounding soul Of his love, and in quick
husky tones, he said
No, no, Isabella come not to this
bosom now 1t is pure, but there is q
cloud hanging upon it. When l can
stand forth free from the false charge that
has been brought upon me, then will |
bless thee Come on Nandon du Cbas
tel Before God and nan, you are a base
liar -
And yet even beneath that word. the
false knight covered but he could not
escape the ordeal The monarch had Civ
en- word for the combat, and the duke had
led his wife and child away.
God will not let the innocent fall !"
said Alfonso, as he gazed first upon his
constable, and then upon Henry la y uit
= Let the combat 90 Oh !"
Henry drew his sword, and. as he did
so, he caught kind expression from Don
Philip. 1t was like q ray from heaven
friendless. Nandon du Chastel came to
the list with a pale face, aud lis hand
trembed when be drew bis sword
Are you coward, as well as liar 2"
uttered La Mutt. with contempt
The words had the intended effect. for
Du Cbastel sprang to the conflict The
two swords crossed with sharp clash
and for few moments. La Mutt made no
thrust at his antagonist. while on the
other hand, Sir Nandon thrust most hotly
at him.
Beware !" cried the monarch, as he
saw La Eait's sword above bis head. while
the point of his enemy's weapon was al
most at his breast.
But even as be spoke, La Mutt spraug
nimbly aside, and the point passed harm
iessIy by him. Then. with all his might
he fetched a blow that struck Du Chas
tells sword close upon the guard, and tie
weapon was dashed from its owners hand
10 the ground Ia aa instant La Mutt
stopped and picked it mp. A moment he
gazed into the lurid face of his uuarmed
accuser, aud then he turned and walked
/ to where stood the monarch.
Sire, he said. extending the hills of
/ tie weapon he had taken from bis enemy.
( g here IS my accuser's sword Do what
you please with it, but God forbid that /
i should take bis ljfal n
! The monarch took the sword and plunr
/ ing the keen blade deep into the ground.
he placed his foot upon the pommel and
snapped the weapon in twain. Tuen be
turned towards the youthful victor, aad
extended bis arms
Henry, he cried, Z" God be thanked
for this p
Aud am I free from this charge p
/ Ay-as free as the infant yet upon It's
mothers bosom -
Give me your hand, Henry - mur-
INJURED Don Philip
During all this time Nandon du Chas-
tel bad been hard at work with himself
and lie had put the demon away out Of
sight. He now advanced slowly t9ward2
4 the monarch, and knelt at bis feet.
Sire lie said, made that charge IL
good faith, but now | will retract it. God
I has saved the innocent Now may not
+ the mai--s-ge proceed ~
b. heavens Du Chastel, | begin to
doubt you" uttered Alfonso, with dark
ening brow
Doabt me, sire (" repeated Da Chas
tel, arising to his feet, and looking re
proachtiy upon his king e Then. if
gJou doubt me-you, whom I have served
/ so lodr-you who should know my very
heart--you, for whom my life has been
ready for the sacrifice for years If you
doubt me. then let me 20, and never claim
7 the love Of man again r
/ Alfonso was moved and he besitated
lie had turned to Don Philip for counsel,
when lie was called from the subject BY an
exclamation Of startling surprise from one
/ of the nobies who stood near at hand
. What Is it, my lord p
/ Look there, sire. There comes come
strange party to grace the welding
! Alfonso looked in the direction now
pointed out, and be saw body Of peas
ants toiling up the hill, bearing upon their
shoulders large litter.
Come, come sire )" urged Du Chastel
lis face now deadly pale, let the mar