Mineral Point tribune. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1854-1858, 1854-05-18

lFrom Gteasen's PteterInE
Z 3 II E z Ia II UIY 9
OR, The
f0UNDLING OF THE CASTLE OF ESTELLA,
TALE OF NAyARRE, ~ THE oLpES TINE.
BY AUSTIN C. BgRDICK.

I
great, old castle of Estella and an hun
dred armed men were lounging about the
wide ballium, ready to catch the first cool
breath of evening. The waters of the
river Ega sent up their gushing music
as they moved along to pay their tribltc
to the majestic Ebro, and they seemed to
bring upon their silvery bosoms the sweet
oders which they had taken co themselves
from the many orange groves through
which they had wound their sinuous way.
The wales and hills of Estella were all
clothed in their most seductive carbs.
but no touch of the summer magician
could make the gray walls of the great
castle look anything but rough aud frown-
ing. To be sure, the massy face of rock
that looked towards the setting sun had
put on more startling color, but it seem
ed to be gastly. CORY look, and the deep
windows appeared like SO many ferv eyes
looking out from a great head of dying
flame a-a
Philip de la Carra, Dnke of Saliva. was
the feudal lord of the castle of Estella
and, save the king himself, none other
was more powerful in Navarro.
The lower disc of the sun had lust
touched the far-off mountains when the
sound of horses tramping hoofs came up
from the road, and ere long a troop of
armed and armored men rode over the
drawbridge and entered the outer court.
They were led by a noble-looking knight.
who wore above bis arrnor the robe of a
duke. Next to him rode Younger man.
who also bore the insignia of knight hood
The grooms FASTENED forth from the sta
bles to take the horses and as soon as the
younger had alighted be FASTENED away
to the inner court and entered the cas-
tie
The knight could not have seen more
than three and twenty years, but long
and arduous exercise in the manly sports
of the times had served to develop the
physical man in all his strength and skill.
| Tie was tall and we'll made. aud possessed
face of more than ordinary beauty.
His hair, which was of dark brown, hung
in light masses about his neck. and his
eyes. which were quick and energetic in
movements. bore a cast of deep. rich ha-
eel. His dress was somewhat snowy. but
not enough to detract from his noble bear
ing Over a silken doublet he wore a
light armor of polished steel and over
this was a crimson scarf, passing over the
right shoulder and knotted beneath the
left arm A lace collar, richly pointed
and embroidered. adorned his neck and
shoulders, and the nicely with which it
was adjusted showed that hands more del
icate than his own had helped place it
there Upon his head he wore hemlet
of FURNISHED steel, the visor of which was
! thrown up and hooked, and above this
waved two large ostrich feathers The
yonng knight was called Henry la Mutt
With quick steps the night hurried
across the great hall nor did he slacken
his pace until he reached tle capacious
sitting-chamber in the western wing OF
the castle. He hesitated moment at
the door, as though he would have gained
some fresh courage, and then he entered
The only occupant of the apartment was
girl, who sat bv one of the windows ga
zing out upon the golden landscape, She
was beautiful creature. with Il form of
faultless symmetry. and the expression of
a slnless soul beaming out upon her fair
features. No cloud had left their touch
upon her pure white brow, nor had sorrow
vet drawn a line upon her face. She was
/ but nineteen years Of age, and yet she
/ had bloomed into the very spring of wo
manhood. In stature she was just tall
enough 20 comply with well-deyeloped
/ frame. for her very look and movement
showed that she did not suffer for the
want of healthy exercise Her hair was
dark. very dark, and when it did not catch
the direct sunlight it seemed really black
Her eyes were certainly black, but yet
soft aud wa-m-not sharp and piercing
like some black eyes. but deep and lus
trous-full of heart and soul, and seem
ing like the windows through which the
god of love was certainly looking. She
was Isabella de la Cara, the only child
of the duke
Now, new, Isabella" cried TIE voune
knight, as he bastened towards the fail
young girl, Il may speak to you the word;
which have SO long lain silent in my soul
[ am knight now. See-these spur:
the king himself did give me. have
carried my right to knighthood, and S.
have | earned the right to speck with thee
| am courageous now, or [ should moi
dare to tell YOU what is in my heart. Q
truly, foudly, dearly For long years
have held your immage next TO my hear
of hearts your every look of kindnes:
has ever been treasured up with my love
but | dared not tell it uatil [ had earned
a name worthy of thee-until had gain
ed the goal of my ambition. | am 8
knight now, and l may tell thee that thor
art beloved Give me thine answer
Come"
The maiden trembled violently. ana
the great tears started from her eyes
but they were tears of love, of happiness
Her bosom heaved with wild emotion
but she did not speak in words Henry
la Mutt kneeled at her feet, and caugh
one of her hands and pressed it to hi:
lips
Speak, Isabella he said II have
told You all. Ny heart is in your hands