The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1856-03-12

strength here, all may go well with Eng
land and the Holy Church."
"But what has the life or death of an
exile Earl to do with these mighty plans?"
inquired the priest, for the first time look
ed full at the lcech.
"Every thing-every thing!" replied
the other in shrill, eager whisper. r"I
tell you, Sir prior, if this naughty woman
once sets her foot on the throne of Eng
land the Earl of Devonshire will most GER
tainly share her state to trample us under
his foot. He is a Protestant at heart
as willy and uncompromising a reformer,
as the Princess herself" tEl
"But why not mix the drug for Eliza
beth herself" said the priest, quietly
|"She may be taken i'll, and the Queens
leech sent as a special grace !" i
'No, no, could not do it!'' exclaimed
the leech, starting back, and then slowly
resuming his position, while pereeptible
shuddercrept through his croucbing frame
E"I would rather plant dagger in my own
i heart"
"Ho!" exclaimed the priest, and asmile
of quiet meaning stole over his face. 81
thoughtyou were not a man to lavish gold
and deal out precious nostrums for the
love of country or mother church. Now
we understand each other. This Devon
shire"
HAS crossed my path every where
trod upon me-butfeted me to the earth
nay, spurned me with his foot t-ay, and
in her presencem shrieked the pale leech,
in voice sharp and almost Kissing with
stiaed rage.
''And you would serve the Holy Church
and find revenge at the same time, ''resum-,
ed the priest, softly. ga s
"The crushed serpent can hoard his
venom SO long as there is life,o replied
Louton, more quietly. s"I have told all
now; he shall die without seeing her, though
am compelled to cross the waters to work
the deed with this hand"
at needs not that" said the priest
musingly "Giye me the liquidyou spoke
|of. There is man, even now, in the
Earl's household, beyond the seas, who
win administer it with due caution, for less
than the promised gold; be speedy with
the drug. Twill Gnda messenger"
."Itis here" whispered the leech, search
ing in the bosom of his sable doublet.-
Drawing forth small crystal flask, spot
ted with gold, and looking cautiously round
the dim apartment, he placed it in the
priests extended hand 8 -
as it sure!n muttered the monk.
lo "Deadly as serpent's venom, twas the
reply. u" aetf4ss57 l,r1 3 4 F..
"And now,na said the priest, grasping
! the flask closely in his palm, while a
strange smile gleameF over his face as he
bent forward toward the leach, 'eand now,
4 fair leech, have no fear that these precious
drops will not sweeten the Earls night
t.draught, and speedily, too. That you
fmay be more certain Of revenge, let me
whisper astate secret in your ear. Should
1 her Queens grace be takenfrom this peo-
Eple, as You predict, King Philip, instead
tofurging war against the Lady Elizabeth,
4 VII aspire to her throne, as he has shared
THAT of our most gracious Sovereign
This Devenshire might stand in the way
of such design, therefore, he dies. 'Ha!
good Eouton, is the news sudden, that
youturn so pale? But good night; be
: lcontent that revenge is at hand
r. With these words the friar stole gent
l IIy from the room. The leech sat several
minutes gazing vaeant1y on the floor, mo-
tionless, and apparently overwhelmed with
a food of new and narrowing thoughts.
4 At last strange, wicked expression stole
over his face, and raising to- his feet, he
] went to the table, powdered, a little ofthe
!. dried herbssin his palm. and proceeded to
ming sthem in the crueible. with clear
liquid, which he poured from bottle ta-
f ken from over the fireplace.
/ sFoolt'h he muttered, stirring mp the en-
: bers, and placing the craeible on the fur
} mace 'fooI does he think l can distl nc
drops to sweeten q weddings posset 70,
{ King Philip also? fool"
: For more than three. hours the furnace
sent its red glare through that gloomy
apartments During all that time the leecl
: covered to his seat again, listening to the
simmering noise which arose from the cru
chile, as if it had been delicious music
At length, just as the grey OF morning
broke family into the room, he arose, lifted
) the crucble, and began to stir the fire with
bar of slender iron. 1t might have
been that his hand was tremulous from
l want of rest, or that he became dizzy from
: the fumes of that poisonous decoction, fol
) it sent forth sweet, sickening odor, tha
q would have enervated much stronger
: man. All at once he reeled, and the cru
n cible shook in his hand so violently, tha
S half its contents fell upon the embers. =
o Instantly clear flame Of exceeding bril-
J liancy shot up to the roof; dim purplisl
smoke filed the room, and when that roll
: ed away the morning light fell upon tn
c leech. He was outstretched upon tn
i. floor, with his thin, white face turned up
j. wards, and slight froth still increasin,
r on his blue lips; his fingers worked --ther
i was a faint motion Of the limbs, and tn
t sunrise poured gently through the narro,
. | lson,ant over his Gesd hoflv