Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1856-01-05

e Father Benedict hath also started for Colches
ter to make espials into the state of things there
= and likewise Sir James Balders, as heard
: called Justify to horse, as soon as he had led
my Lady Seagrave from the chapel, and
suppose his purpose was to pay his compf-
y ments to General Fairfax and the other
: Roundhead traitors on their signal triumph
S The time-serving poltroon !" cried Lady
Alice. Ay, now may We be sure that Colches-
ter hath indeed fallen and the cause of loyalty
is forever crushed but Eleanor, sweet sister,
doth not his presence at Colchester augur the
worst for me?" ~ t f T|s
Fear not, Lady Alice for let the worst
come to the worst. do suppose one word from
my Lady Eleanor will set all right; that is, if
she be not too proud to sue master Richard
Arncliff," observed old Peter.
Eleanor, dear Eleanor 7" cried Lady Alice
grasping her sisters arm beseechingly
Lady Eleanor turned away "Alice, it is
impossible :"
:" Nay, will go to him myself, then," said
Lady Alice.
3" You, Alice ?"
eyes, :-dost think that punctillo is to
prevent me from making an effort to preserve
my husband from the same fate which has rob-
bed the world of Lsle and Lucas ?" '
=" Remember, my Lady, you have promised to
abide patiently till morning, or till the return of
the messengers that have been despatched to
Colchester" said Peter
! " Then will keep my anxious vigil here"
cried Lady Alice, seating herself at the foot of
one OF those stately canopied tombs, whose mys-
tic ornaments and sculptured efigies had escap-
ed the desecration of William DowSing and his
brother parliamentary commissioners, in their
recent destructive visits to the churches and
and chapes in Suffolk
Sadly and slowly that long cheerless night
wore away and just as the early beams of a
| glorious sunrise stole through the lofty stained
windows of the chapel, and lighted up the
richly fretted screen and altar, q step that
seemed, by its hasty tread, to announce IT,
dings OF moment, was heard in the corridor
! without. 1t was the porter's son. James
Lockwood, who entered with pale and haggard
| looks
What news ?" demanded Lady Eleanor
james turned piteous glance upon Lady Alice,
who, unable to articulate the anxious sentence
that trembIed on her tongue, sat with wan cheeks
and expanded eyes, gazing in speeches. ago
| ny of inquiry on the messenger
Sad news, my Lady, sad news for US all
! Colchester has fallen, and butcher work hath
followed"
"My husband my husband |" gasped Lady
Alice
"How fares it with Col Montfort, James ?"
asked Lady Eleanor
1T was scarcely possible for me to hear any
thing like certainty, my Lady, but"
"Speak out, we would hear the truth"
| was told dear ladies' that he was tried
by military commission, and-and-"
He is under sentence of death"
"Dear ladies, you know how these trials
end"
"Ay, with the death-volley from q file of
murderouS troops" said Lady Alice, in a voice
hoarse with suppressed feelings 9" l said it
would be So"
Il heard that at twelve at noon this day
was the appointed time for the execution of
the brave colonel, !" whispered James Lockwood
| to Lady Eleanor
Order four of the swiftest horses to the
post coach" said Lady Eleanor 81 will ride
a race against time for his life"
AS James Lockwood left the chapel to per-
! form her bidding, beted horseman in Sir
James Balder's livery entered with an iron
bonnd Golfer on his shoulder, which he placed
before Lady Alice, with these words, From
Colchester" and hinging the key upon the pave
ment at her feet, strobe from the chapel with
heavy step.
| A moment more, and the fearful contents of
that mysterious Golfer were disclosed to the
mcurnful gaze of Lady Alice The scarf en-
broidered by her own hand, and presented by
| her to Montford on the eve of his first battle
The rosary and cross which he had fondy TAX
en- from her neck on the morning of their sto-
! len nuptialS His sword with the true love
knot still appended which she had attached to
| its hilt, and last and saddest of ALL those
| heart-rending tokens of his DEATH his shirt aud
ruff deeply stained with blood
And is it thus-thus-thus !" murmurcd
Lpdy Alice, as she sat contemplating with an
| agony too dcep--a horror too overwhelming
| for tears or cries, these silent witnesses of her
irreparable loss
No, Alice, dearest sister, believe it not"
cried Lady Eleanor " this is, | trust, the
malice of James Balders to avenge his sighted
suit Montford was not to die till noon, and
ere that time his pardon may be sealed"
Oh, Never, never Behold these fatal evi-
dences that all is over with him p said Lady
Alice, pointing to the ensanguned tokens be-
fore her.
+" Nay, these prove nothing beyond the fact
that he is prisoner" said Lady Eleanor
Alice, dear Alice, there is so strong a feeling
within me that he is living, that will away
to Colchester wthinlthe hour to plead for his
reprieve. Shall we not 60 together, gentle
Alice p continued she, taking the damp cold
hand that still rested as heavily as if its pulses
had ceased to beat on the fearful contents of
| the Golfer.
1t would be useless now" said Lady
Alice, :" cruel sister last night you might
YOU might have saved him, and You would not:
now, when his hearts blood is before me,
you mock me with hopes that never can be re-
alized."
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