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

L
horrors of the war now, she, for the first time
witnessed traces of its destroying fury TIL,
beautiful trees, and every share Of verdure il
the immediate vicinity Of Colchester had dis
appeared and circumvallary lines of blacknes'
and barenness marked the ground recently oc
cupied by the besieging army Of the Parlia
ment and when she entered the town, the
| ruinous state of the houses and churches which
had been rent and battered by the fierce bom.
bardment, and their swart aspect from the SUI
phurous atmosphere which had so often perva-
ded those streets from the almost incessant dis
charge of artillery and firearms, during the
latter days of the siege and above all the wan,
haggard faces Of the few melancholy iDdividu-
ais who were visible, afforded fearful testimo-
ny of the sufferings of Colchester and its brave
defenders. t#EE1- '@1~. 5a9-Hf g
Lady Eleanor Seagrave and her escort, con-
slsting of four of her late fathers servants in
deep mourning, were challenged at the various
barriers that had been erected across the streets
but the name of General Arncliff. which she
pronounced with trembling lips, served as 8
passport for her admttance and as her equip
age proceeded up the high street towards the
castle, where she was informed she should find
him, it was with difficulty that she could repress
the painful agitation of her spirit Her youth,
her beauty, and deep mourning, and the cir
cumstances of her being entirely alone, oeca-
stoned sensation of surprise among the off,
GERS OF the Parliamentary army and she had
to encounter many bold scrutiny, miugled
with looks OF unwelcome admiration, when she
quilted her coach and presented herself for ad-
mittance at the guarded portals of the castle
A mortal shudder came over her as her eye
was unconsciously attracted by the dark red
stains of blood on the stones, which denoted
the spot where the recent murder of the gal
liant and unfortunate LiIse and Lucas had been
perpetrated. At the same time the chimes of
one of the neighboring churches warned her
that it was halfpaSt eleven O'Clock, and the
beating of drums in the quadrangle gave no
tice that the time was fast approaching for the
performance of similar tragedy with regard
to her sisters husband, if, indeed, lie were not
at that time numbered with the dead
Nothing but the strong conviction that she
must make an energetic effort for the sake of
that beloved sister, could have nerved the
shrinking heart of Lady Eleanor to proceed
under circumstances replete with such terror,
and in place she felt to be so unsuitable
At first, the sentinels at the castle portals, as
if they guessed the nature of her errand, rude
ly repulsed her by crossing their partizans
against her entrance, telling her "That it
would be impossible to see General Arncliff
till the execution of the cavalier Colonel was
over"
Then he yet lives, God be thanked, and I
am not too late !" exclaimed Lady Eleanor,
clasping her hands together, and bursting into
an hyStercal passion of weeping
The soldiers exchanged looks with each
other as if moved by the emotion of the fair
suppant.
" 1t is the wife of Colonel Montfort." whis-
pered one of Lady Eleanors servants, who had
heard that one of his ladies were secretly wed
ded to the unfortunate cavalier, and naturally
concluded that she, who manifested such an
active interest in his fate, must be the bride.
The seutinels were evidently touched with
pity, yet fearful of the consequences of YIELD
ing to their relentings
Lady Eleaner earnestly renewed her suit.
Why, look We, mistress" said one of the
men, q we have no i'll will towards you or the
condemned cavalier but you are asking that
which may bring us into trouble with our
officers, and can be of no use to YOU or him
either"
"Only let me try !" cried Lady Eleanor
Ay, ay,y let her pass !" said the other
" Are you willing to take the consequence ?"
asked his companion. -.
Yes" replied the other Il have a wife
of my own, you know Pass on, my mistress, y
continued he to Lady Eleanor, only you must
20 alone
Leaving her servants on the platform with
ont the castle, LAZY Eleanor followed the
trooper who undertook to conduct her into the
presence of General Arnclff, and with tremb-
ling steps ascended the broad staircase of that
gloomy citadel, within whose walls the sentence
of death had so recently been passed on her
sisters husband. Nothing but the reflection
that her errand was on life and death, could
have impelled her forward without a single
friend or attendant, to intrude herself upon
him whose last words had been an Injunction
to forget him. Years passed in mutual es-
arrangement and bitterness of spirit had rolled
over since Lady Eleanor Seagrave and Rich
ard Arnclif had looked upon each other : and
Lady Eleanor felt that it was not the love of
sick village youth, to whose existence her
smile or frown gave its tone of happiness or
misery whom she was about to meet, but one
of the master spirits of the age-one who had
demonstrated to his felow-inen the difference
between the aistoeracy of station and the arS-
tocracy of talent, had taught both royalty and
nobility to feel that Richard Arnclif, the son
of the village surgeon of Beechmont, had no
less political existence than the proudest peer
of England. He was alone, seated at table
covered with papers, with all the stern gravity
and department about him resulting from
habit of command, and the consciousness of
occupying high and important position in the
newly constituted government of England
when his musings were suddenly interrupted by
the entrance of Lady Eleanor Seagrare, who
scarcely less to her own CONSERVATION than that
of her long-estranged lover, was announced hy
the serjeant of the guard, as the wife of Col
Lucius Montford" . ..-
Her dnap h