The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1858-11-13
AwoMAN'sPERyERsIrY.

Auc 1oiIo"IuS peautilui story mas teen
published in different forms, but in none us
good as the original
Sir Hugo had reached his Ef.ieth wear
unmolested by passion, save an ardent one
for flowing goblet. Instead of love pas
sages, he delighted in tournaments whence
he always returned victorious. At length
he was flung from the saddle of his inditier-
ence by the beardless tilter of loyeI liz
saw Angelica-the fairest maiden of land
forgot bis grey hairs, aud, unniudful of tn.
incongruity Of union between Nav and,
December, led her to TIE altar. Fortunatelx
Angelica was rs modest as she was fair.
and her firm virtue repulsed the numeror,
butterflies that swarmed around the opep;nc
flower of her beauty. Sir Hugo knew the
tried virtue of his consort, and therefore
she was to him dear and precious al the an.
pie of his eye.
One morning he rode to paw visit to =,
neighboring baron in arms, his honest souira
Conrade :rotting after him. Scacelv had
they proceeded half way, when the tuicht
suddenly stopped and cried
Some here, ConIade most tormen,;no
thought has just occurred to me, This 20
the very day that Father Nicholas comes 10
the castle to say mass for my dear wife and
myself, and am not inclined to have him
in my abode during my absence; so gallon
back, and desire your lady, IN my name not
to admit the priest.'
Conrade paused and shook his head M If
in doubt, and replied, Excuse me. nv nobla
sir, but perhaps the lady Angelica, if left
to her discretion, will do what you wish.'
a curse on your perhaps!' exclaimed the
knight; 'ilmake oil sure by giving;the order,
'Do you think sop replied the squire
snow /, in my simplicity, believe exactly
the contrary. Take the advice of YOUR
faithful servant for once in your life: let
things take their course, and give no order
upon so delicate point
Il fig for your delicacy,' cried Sir Hupo.
angrily: 'what absurd fancies YOU have cot
into your head to day! Do YOU think Tint
an hours ride task SO very ted,ousY
'Oh! if it comes to that, SIR, reio;ned
Conrade, 81 have no more to saw
He put spurs to his horse and rode hack
to the castle.
Angelica saw him gallopins up, and
cried IN terror from the window. 'What
has brought you back in haste? Has auy
accident happened my lord?
None whatever, gracious lady, answered
Conrade; but the noble knight was appre-
hensive that some accident might happen
you, IL by chance you took fancy to ride
Sultan.'
Il ride-ride the large grcyhoundp ex-
claimed Angelica in utter astonishment. i
believe your are drunk or mad. 1t IS i'm,
possible that your master can have sent SO
ridiculous message
AYE, but he did though pursued the
squire; 'and my noble master said at the
same time that he knew Sultan would bite
terribly. not being accustomed to be made
pony OF; and he therefore begs that YOU
will not attempt to divert yourself in that
way. Having said this, he again mounted
his horse and galloped OF to rejoin his mas
ter.
Am awake, or do drean?' CALCULATED
Angelica. 'The folly of Sir Hugo is so
strange that am almost attempted TO be.
lieve it all wild dream. What docs he
mean? Is it not enough that have hitherto
tried to read his every will and wish, and,
when known, obcyed them implicitly; and
do deserve that he should stretch his pow
er SO far, and play the capricious naughty
tyrant! Now l see that to be too subnis-
sive, too softly compliant is not the way to
treat him; the worm that crawls in the dust
is trampled upon. But no, sir Knight. it
has not gone quite so far with us vet: in
spite of you will ride Sultan; and YOU nav
thank yourself, as but for your message,
such thought would never have enterd nv
head
Her soliIoquy was here interrupted bv the
entrance OF servant, who informed her
that Father Nicholas had arrived, and was
in the antechamber.
Il cannot receive his visit to-day said
the consort Of Sir Hugo, 'for nv Lord is
absent. Give this as my excuse to the rev.
erend father and beg Of him to return to-
morrow
With all respect to father Nicholas,
continued she when left to herself, he shat!
not spoil my pleasant ride. No if nv pony
were but here. He must have an easy gait.
and his teeth do not fear: he is rs quiet as
lamb. Oh. how shall delight in this two
fold pleasure Of showing the sur.y old fel.
low that care neither for him nor his or
ders, and Of trying pastime that is at least
a novel onc.'
Through every corner of the house re-
sounded the CRY Of Sultan, Sultan.'
The immense but docle animal spranp
from bone upon which he was feastinc
and was at her side in an instant. Caressine
him until she got him into room, the door
Of which she shut.
sNow friend Srltan,' cried her fair mis-
tress, 'no growl, no bite, aud all is safe.'-
With her snow-whte hand she continued
stroking and patting his huge back for some
minutes, and then, in the hope that, if only
through gratitude, he would comply with
her fancy, she mounted her new steed. lie
showed his teeth q little, in some doubt of
what all that meant, but she soo,hed him
again into good humor and patient endu-
rance of the novel burthcn; but he thought
this quite enough, and did not stir
from the spot. Angelica was naturally not
much pleased with being thus stationary;
she therefore gently goaded him with her
leg, but no trot would Sultan condescend-
be remained motioriess rs before, while
something like a growl escaped from his iln-
mense and fear inspiring jaws. Out Of
patience, she now exclaimed
'You shall feel the spur then, you lazy
brute,' and drove her heel into his side. liz
now growled audibly. but stirred not an inch,
when she repeated the blow. This was too
much for canine patience; he madea spring,
and as she fell full length upon the floor,
he turned and bit her hand. The dismounted
rider bedewed the floor with tears, aud then
sprang up to turn out the uneourteou.
brute who had thus rudcly shown how little
he understood play.
| Towards evening, Sir Hugo returned and
inquired with suspicious haste, whether Faith.
er Nicholas had been there.
'Oh, yes, he was here,' answered Angelica,
'but l ventured to refuse his admttance.'
The knight cast triumphant glance Mt
his squire and whispered to him, 'Now, old
Wisdom, do you see any use of my orders =
Conrade, who, as may be supposed, had
said nothing Of the alteration he made in
the substance of his embassy, shrugged his
shoulders with a smile unperceived by his
master, who had turned again to his consort,
and first perceived that she wore banda:e
upon her soft hand! He immediately iu-
quired the cause.
Sultan bit me,' sid Angelica;' sand it
is all your fault, Sir Hugo, added she Sob
bing.'
my fault!' cried the knight.
sYes, your fault, and nobody's but yours,