The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1855-06-22


hated with all her might, had long beer
urging her 10 go with him 10 his wicke'
court; asd how that afternoon, while walk
ing in the park, he had surprised and car
ried her Oft. She told this story, eclinint
on mossy bank, with Robin Hood sitting
a, her feet, looking up into her face. A
last the twilight shadows began 10 fall, then
he sighed and said-"Itis is Ceiling late my
lady-shall conduct you home! But III,
lady Matilda ben, toward him, blushing ant
speaking very softly, and said, (" You have
saved me from shame and sorrow-he nee
forth belong TO you"
Robin Hood started up gladly, then sunl
back saddor than teiore, and said "No
lady no, you have been too dslIcaiely rear
ed fer an outlaws wife." ln '.a-
He then told her though she might no
dislike hi. forest life in the warm summer
time, yet when the fall rains and win,e,
frost came, she would find the cave il
which he lived, dark and chill, and wonld
sigh for her fathers comfortable castle
halls.
Bu, Lady Matilda was strong and health
ful and had little fear OF colds or ;heuma.
lisms; she lhoughi Robin Hood handsome,
and fancied he would be the best protector
against that nau2 2hiy prince, she could have
so she looked into his face with her beau,i.
'nl blue, beseeclling eyes, till he could re-
sis, no longer, but liiied her upon her pal.
'rey, and walked by her side toward Sher.
wood Forest, talking 10 her, holding her
hand, and loving her better and better every
step. They were married. a, tho camp, hy
Jolly FIiar Tuck, and had merry wedding
least. The next day Robin Hood and his
wife, who had taken the name OF Marion,
sen, messenger 10 the Earl OF Filzwa,er,
telling him how they were married, and
'sking him II ho had any objections. He
zen, back word that he disowned his daugh.
sr, and never would forgive her and
made some rather unhandsome remark.
npon the character Of his son.in.law which
reused Marion's spirit. But the old Earl
missed hi, only child, and was so lonely in
his grand castle, that, at las, il seemed it
him that he must see her or he should die
SO he disguised himself as a mendican
minstrel, and wen, to Robin Hoods camp
He was kindly received, and feas,e,l with
good game and excellent wine. After din
ner, Robin Hood flung himself down on {
bank of wild viole,s for nap. and Marior
began scattering daisies over him.
The Earl watched them in their happi
ness, and thought Of his own loneliness, Ill
he could stand il no longer, but bowed hi
head in his hands and burs, into tears
,SMarion knew that sob-she had heard
fpuce before, when her brother died. Sh
jpppsd her flowers, ran TO her father, funi
Nr arms around his neck, and wep, will
N'm. Robin Hood sprany up and .joine,
with them-and all was made up be,weer
The three. The Earl became quite fond O
his son.in.lsw, though he often warned hin
that he would come 70 the gallows if he di,
not mend his ways. Bu, Robin Hood .di,
no, mend his ways for better or worse. II,
continued 10 take from the rich and give I,
The poor; TO play tricks and seek advcn,
nres in disguise; 10 ligh, the troops OF ,h'
King and The sheriff Of Nottingham; Il
hate and make war on all priests 10 III
last. He lived to be an old man, loved b,
the poor, and feared and hated BY the rich
AT length he fell i'll Of a lingering fever
and, unlnckily, went for help to his aunt
Elizabeth de Staynion, Prioress of Crles
Nunnery, In Yorkshire-a woman who ha,
grea, skill in medicine. His old enemy
Sir Rodger, Of Doncasier, hearing Of this
wen, 10 her, and telling her she had in he
power great enemy Of The church, u:ge,
her on 10 dark and cruel deed. Tn
Prioress wen, alone 10 Robin Hood, as h
lay tossing and gasping with his fever, an
pretending grea, kindness, said she mus
bleed him. He stretched out his arm an
she opened large vein. The blood spou,
ed fiercely q, first, and ran for long lin,
: 'ull and fast.
"Haven't you taken enoughr aske
Robin Hood, again and again, his voic
growing weaker and weaker. But III
stern old woman always answered "No.
Then he sunk back on his pillow and faint
ed. Still the Prioress stood aud looked o.
him with cold, stony face-and still h
bled, aud bled, till the couch on which h,
lay was all aaoat with his blood. Al las
his white lips moved, and he murmure,
one word that touched the cruel heart O
the Pfioress. twas The name Of his molhe
J her orn sister. She sprang forward ,
bind up his arm and stop the b;eeding-br
loo late Robin Hood was dead!