Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1858-11-26
Chr 5torq GrIIrr.


Elrrida was daughter and heir Of Ol.ar,
Earl OF Devon shire; and, though she had
been educated in the country, and had new
er appeared at court she hal flied all tag
land with the reputation OF her beauty
Edgar himself, who was Indifferent 70 no
accounts of his nature, found his courios-
ity excited by the frequent pane syfics
which he heard o! Eifrida. and rejecting
on her noble birth, he resolved, il he
found her charms answered 70 their fame,
to obtain possession OF her on honorable
terms. He communicated his intention
to the Earl Athelwoll. his favorite, bat
used the precaution before he made any
advances to her parents, 10 order that
nobleman,on some pret5ncc, 70 pay them
visi, AMI 10 bring him certain account
of the beauty OF their daughter. A'he.
void, when introduced to the young lady.
found general report to have fallen short
of the truth; and ing actual d By the
mos. vehement lose, he determined to
sacrifice 10 this new passion his tleltty
10 HI, master, and to tue tI-,t TeP9sed
in h.ru. lie returned to Edgar, and told
him th4t the III: cs alone, and high qual-
;ties OF EIfriia had ben the ground Of
the admiration paid her; aud that nor
charms far from being anywiSe extraof-
dinary, would have baen overlooked in
woman OF inferior station.
When he had by this deceit, diverted
the king from his purpose, he took an
opportunity, after some interval. of turn.
ing again the con ersltion Of Elfrid4.-
He remarked that though the parentage
and fortune Of the lady had not produced
on him, as ON others, any illusions with
regard to her beauty, he could ot for
bear rejecting tina. she woald, on the
who e,be an advantageous match for him,
and might, by her riches make him sutf-
cient compensation for the homeliness OF
her person. If the king, therefore, gave
his appreciation, he was determined to
make the proposals in his own behalf to
the Earl of Deyonshire, and doubted not
TO obtain his as well as the young lady 5
Consent to the marriage. Edgar, pleased
with an expedent for establishing his
favorlte's fortune, not only exhorted him
to execute his purpose. but forwarded
his success by his recommendations to
the parents of Elfrida; and Athelwold
was soon made happy in the possession
of his mistress. Dreading however, the
detection OF the artltice. he employed
every pretenee for detlinins Etrida in
the country,and keeping her at q distance
from Edgar.
The violent passion Of Athelwold had
rendered him blind to the ne ssary
cons equences which must attend his con-
duct, and the advantage which the num-
erous enemies that always pursue roy
al fayorite would by its means, be able
to make against him Edgar was soon in
formed of the truth, but before he would
execute vengeance on Athelword treach-
cry, he resolved to satisfy himself with
his own eyes of the certainty and full
extap. Of his guilt. He told him that
he intended to pay thin visit in his
castle, and be introduced to the acquain-
tance of his new married wife; and
Athelwold, as he could not refuse the
honor. only craved leave to so before
him few hours, that he might the better
prepare everything for his reception
He then discovered the whole matter to
Elfrida, and begged her, ii she had any
regard either to her own honor or his
life, to conceal from Edgar, by every
circumstance of dress and behavior, that
fatal beauty which had seduced him
from his fidelity to his friend, and had
betrayed him into so many falsehoods,
Elfrida promised compliance, though
nothing was further from her intentions.
She deemed herself little beholden to
Athelwold for passion which had de-
prived her of crown; and knowing the
force of her own charms, who did not
desI air even yet of reaching that dignity
of which her husbands artifce had be-
reayed her. She appeared before the
king with all the advantages which the
richest and most engaging airs could
bestow upon her; and she eveited at cnce
in his bosom the highest love towards
herself, and the most furious desire OF
revenge against her hus band. He knew.
however. how to dissemble these pas
sions and seducing Athelwpld into a
wood, on pretense OF hunting,hc stabbed