The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1855-11-07

but for day, how frightened you will be when
you awake. The fool who married you will
soon be no more, and in a dungeon we shall
see, ifyou will again scorn sir Hugo d 'Aubry.'
He bore her in his arms to his horse, gently
placed her in the saddle before him, and fol-
lowed the soldiers to the preceptory. S
The great hall of the castle was arranged
for trial The bright sunbeams streaming
through the strained glass Of the windows,
gittered on Furnished gold, and shining steel.
At one end was seated in his chair of state the
preceptor of Warwick Around the side stood
the knights clothed in their white garments,
and behind them stood the retaners dressed in
the dusky costumes of noviciates. Sir Hugo
d'Aubry, with smile of triumph upon his
countenance, stood by the side of the precep-
tor A strange sight it was to all to see a
knight templar brought before the chief of his
order to be tried for his life. But the precep-
tor had been urged to this course by the
arguments and threats Of sir Hugo, and he had
determined that sir Edward should die.
He gave the signal, and heavily ironed the
prisoner was brought before him. He was very
pale, but firmly and undauntedly he stood be-
fore them all and with glance full of scorn
he answered the sneerng smile of sir Hugo. In
the midst of deep profound silence the accu-
sation was read. A low murmur ran through
the hall as the witness for the prosecution W as
named. The friendship of the two had been
known to all the knights, and all supposed that
sir Edwards fastest friend. The angry glance
of the preceptor stilled the mutterngs for
moment, but again they broke forth until the
chief rising from his chair loudly demanded 81
lence. A solemn stiffness reigned through the
vast hall, but at that instant the sound OF a
horse dashing rapidly across the drawbridge
arrested the attention of all. The sound ceased,
but a moment after there was disturbance at
the lower end of the hall, and the figure of a
knight, armed in proof, and fiery red with
speed, appeared forcing his way towards the
preceptor. He reached the open space before
the chair of state, and handed the chief a note
:" ''Quick, quick my lord, read it. Ills on bust
ness of moment ..--
The preceptor tore open the billet. 1t con,
tanned these lines: .sr.,.. ..- -.. I'm.
"The lion has broken its fettters. Richard
of England has escaped from his Austrian dun
geon Malvoisin is arrested, the preceptory Of
Templestan has been destroyed. Come with al
your knights to the village to meet the grand
master"
"By whom was this sent?" said he, turning
to the messenger.
"By de Beaumanoir Sir Eustace of Penn
broke is marching towards you" =
"Ah! Isit so?'' said the preceptor, springins
from his chair. tArm, sons of the temple
arm! The foe Of our order has escaped. Mount
mount, and follow our banner! This momen
we must leave these walls to meet the grant
master, at yonder village. Quick, prepared"
A loud shoAt burst from the knights as the.
rushed from the hall. =
) "My lord you have forgotten the prisoners,
said sir Hugo to the preceptor.
s'No not forgotten. Sir Edward Wentwort
; YOU are condemned to death. Ho, men, sal
, he TO the retainers, whoyet fingered in the hal
? s.bear this knight to the dungeon where tn
t lady is confined, and then return to me-
! The visitors seized the prisoner, and drag
ged him away.
'Now, sir Hugo, are you satisfied? Blu
l come, VIC have no time to lose. Sir Eustac
4 Pembroke will be here within an hour. I
e horse, to horse!' - 2,
Y They rode forth from that grim old preceT
tory, a strong, a noble body of men, Th
S white garments Of the knights with the bloc
: red cross upon the left shoulder, shone ami
S the dusky color of their retainers, while th
: splendid trappings of their horses, and the vii
e oriental music of the band gave to the scene a
e air of gaiety and grandeur. Sir Hugo, wit
! a look of anger and impatience, rode by til
: side of the preceptor. They had passed int
L the forest, when thought seemed suddenly
It occur to the mind of the former, for turnin
: quickly round, he said
n "The books, the records of our order, hav
e been left behind, they must be saved. | WI
d return for them,'' and without waiting for a
V answer, the knight wheeled his horse, and rod
: swiftly back to the castle. He galloped owe
S the drawbridge into the now silent and deserte
|. courtyard. Quickly dismounting he passe
|. into the room of the jaior, and hastily selecte
+ bunch of keys. Then opened the large doc
n that led to the dungeons of the castle, he ligh
n ed the lamp and began his descent. Rapid
Il he made his way along narrow passages an
v dismal vaults, until he paused before the loves
dungeon beneath the castle.
e With an effort he threw open the iron doc
which grated on its rusty hinges, and passe
. into the cell of Edward and Rosa. The forme
was standing, chained in the middle of til
/. room, gazing upon Rosa who had fallen int
e an unuuiet slumber Both started as sir Hug
entered the cell. Without noticing Edward, h
: placed the lamp upon small table, and az
S preached Rosa A belt of iron had been fa'
: tened round her waist, to which was attached
chain, which was itself fastened to the wall. S.
4 lecting key, sir Hugo opened the belt whic
t confined her, and Rosa was free. Astonishmel
: kept the prisoners silent, but at this Edwar
S demanded ~@
!, "tWhat means this, sir Hugo d'Aubry?"
.Thaty you are still a prisoner, and that Ros
t is free. You shall remain here and starv'
e while your wife shall accompany me-"
. "Never!" cried Rosa, running towards Ec
e ward and clasping her arms around his necl
i E"NeverP' Sooner would l die with my hus
a band than live in splendor with such one a
you" :.
: Il saw how it would be-" said Hugo, wit
! a sneer. 'sCome lady, Rosa, you must an
: shall go with me- Ash said this, he seize
] her in his arms. .. -s- 4...- .-... ........
7 "Hep! help!'' frantically shrieked the girl:
"Y our cries are vain, no one is here to hei
you, the preceptory is deserted, Release her,
+ said sir Edward, "or by heaven, you shall dl
how. rroco,,oEJ