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


ger daughter for his bride. Alice and I hay
both foresworn him." '.r
"How dare you talk of such rebellings M
lady prate-apace ! tell you Sir James Ba
ders shall be the husband Of one of you
care not which"
Neither doth he, as we are co-heiresses,
said Lady Alice "but had rather be wed
ded to my shroud than to husband of hi
fashion" 1f -.f q. 80
Your reasons, Madam ?"
''They are so numerous that l will onl
name one. He is Puritan"
$50 much the better, according to the pre-
sent state Of things in England and he hatl
promised that you shall have perfect liberty O
conscience"
'1ndeed and will you confirm his liberia
guarantee, on that most important point ?"
Undoubtedly"
''Then, my dear lord and father, am re.
leased from all matrimonial engagements with
Sir James Balders, for my conscience will never
permit me to contract the deadly sin of marry
ing hereto and man whom | detest," said
Lady Alice.
'Then Eleanor must"
NAY, l have the same objection as my sis.
ter"
AT any rate you cannot twist your own
perversity into case of conscience" said Lord
Seagrsve, ''since you have once expressed your
willingness to wed hereto"
"Ay, one of my own choosing, my lord,
which makes all the difference in the world, "
said Lady Eleanor 'but as that will never
be now, pray you to allow me to enjoy my
maiden liberty in quietness, my lord"
You shall do no such thing. am deter
mined to choose mine own successor, by we'd
ding my co-heiresses after mine own pleasure,
or l shall have two preaching son-inlaws
forced upon me by the parliament forsooth ~
at will require more power than the parlia-
ment possesses, to compel me to wed contrary
to my own good liking" said Lady Eleanor
"Or me, either" rejoned Lady Alice ::
therefore, good father, let US be at peace"
81 will not allow either of you to know
what peace is till see one or other the wife
of Sir James Balders," reoned Lord Sea-
grave
Three short weeks after this declaration
the co-heiresses of Seagrave, by the unexpect-
ed death of their father became the arbitra-
tresses of their own destiny, being of full age
to enter into possession of the extensive patri-
mony which had dcvolved upoa them as the
sole representatives of their ancient line.
But on the same evening that witnessed the
obsequies of the last Lord Seagrave, the alarm
ing rumor of the fall of Colchester, and the
sanguinary execution of two of the brave de-
tenders of that last stronghold of loyalty, Sir
George Lisle and Sir Charles Lucas, was bro't
to Beechmont Hall by some of the attendants
on Lord Seagrave's funeral Scarcely, indeed,
had the grave closed over his remains, ere this
agitating communication was whispered to the
pale, weeping Alice, whose natural grief for
the death of her father, had been in no slight
degree aggravated by the reflection of the un-
dutifu step she had taken in contracting a
marriage unknown to him. and certainly in op-
position to bis wishes The sudden nature of
Lord Seagrave's death in consequence of fall
from his horse, had prevented her from con-
Tossing her fault and suing for his pardon aud
while she stood beside his grave with the feel
ings of self-condemned culprit, the tidings
which the sympathizing porter had fingered
beyond the rest of the mourners to communi-
cate, fell On her trembling ear like the knel of
her beloved husband for Colonel Montfort
was scarcely less distinguished for his zeal and
active services in the royal cause than the vic
Round-heads.
The chapel with it's sable hangings, which
had so recently been the scene of her stolen
nuptials, swan before her sight she caught at
one of the pillars for support, and, but for the
prompt assistance of her sister, would have
fallen on the marble pavement.
BE of more courage, Alice, dearest" said
Lady Eleanor. We know not yet that Col
chester has really fallen"
"Il news is always true" sobhed Lady
Alice land my husband, my dear, dear hus-
band, is perhaps at this moment a mangled,
disfgured corpse, murdered by the merciIess
traitors, who have slain so many noble gentle
men in cold blood"
Hush, my sweet sister, you may be, and
are, trust. distressing Yourself needlessly'-
interposed Lady Eleanor. Colchester is not
so far distant, but we may in the course of a
few hours ascertain all particulars connected
with Col Montfort"
Nay, / will ride thither myself" cried
Lady Alice, starting to her feet. | am my
own mistress now and where my husband is,
there will | be also His prison shall be
my palace, and if they Kill him they shall kill
me also, and we will be buried in the same
grave"
:" No, Alice, no, you must not think of such
rash things" cried Lady Eleanor, OBTAINING her
sister with gentle violence.
No, no. my lady !" said Peter" Colchester
is not place for gentle ladies the first night
of its fall, neither must it be said that my
lords own daughter rode forth like leaguering
lass on the night of his burial to seek her
lover"
MY husband, my own welded husband "
shrieked Lady Alice, wringing her hands and
struggling with her sister.
" Alice, you must not, shall not CO." cried
Lady Eleanor, "only be patient for this one
night, and we will send Peter to inquire the
truth of these fearful tidings, and how'it fares
with Montford and then, if need be, we will
20 together"
Ilo Il ca than . ca;d .adv lice % hut In