Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1859-11-19
MO O30GlLAMY
A Historical Romance.


very echo of the beautiful time peace had
ceased to mar the stiffness, and even its
soft tones had not disturbed the revercs of
fair Amy R"hsnrt The soft hand, whose
snowy whitencss riyalcd tho beauty of rich
jewels which claspcd her delicate fingers,
rested upon her ivory chin. One white
shoulder had escaped from the bondage of
delicate linen, SO soft and fair, that snow
drift might have marred its polished sur.
frcc. The melting orbs, one moment pen
svc, then lit with piercing brlliancy, as
her lonely wretcheducSs arose to wipe out
her happy past. \ wreath of auburn hair
fell around her majestic form. One dainty
foot played nervously with the rich carpet
beneath, and, at each changing thought,
grew restless like the fair owner.
so late and yet he comes not, "'she
murncred sadly, and in flute like tones
Once it was not So Must the high born
talk of aching hearts" and she pressed
her delicate hand against the beating scpul-
chre of her hopes and fears "Oh Licces-
ter a higher power than mine bids you
stay. You will basl in the sunshincs of
her smiles, |, your wife, must be content
with the stately walls of keunclworth, to
send me back with mocking echo the gush-
ing of my bursting heart"
Minutes grew into hours, and still the
beautiful and neglected one sat The
god of sleep wound his arms around her,
and hushed for time her lonely cares
In the private apartment of Enghnds
renowned Elizabeth, sat Robert, Earl of
Licscester. n flush of grati6cd vanity lit
lis handsome features. His doublct of
black velvet was starred with diamonds -
The rich falling cuff, edged with delicate
a;o fell gracefully over an almost tiny hand
enhanced by richest jewels Beside him
my his p!umcd hat. He was not alonc.-
Upon n splendid couch of velvet, frinccd
with go.l, rcclned the maiden quccn.-
Twenty five years sat lightly upon her high.
stern brow The majestic form, bright
eyes and haughty bearing, were still the
royal maidcn's greatest charms. One little
foot had been allowed to peep from beneath
her splendid robc. A delicate hand, per-
feet in shape and her greatest pride toycd
with the massive tasscls of her couch, in
tended to excite the admiration of the earl
Graceful keeping leicester bent forward,
and taking her hand pressed it fondly to
his lips.
Your majesty needs rest, and it is past
the hour of midnight he said, in gentle
tones
The queen replied, raising upon the
couch, her eagle eyes dilating as she spoke,
"'Tis not the feeling thou hast for me, but
a wish to clasp thy baby faced wife. Dost
thou know that | could crush her by a sign
from this hand 2" and she raised it trcmb-
ling and Kissed the words in his car
q" crave thy pardon, beauteous queen.
Tor thy dear health feared And thou
dost not love Amy, thy wife? Thy love
IS all my own. And she allowed her hand
to fall with confding fondness upon his
shoulder. by my faith no, sweet one
Thou art my idol. Amy is alone my wife, ;"
and he pressed her fondy to his trcachcr-
Gus heart
ooh man where are thy VOWS to thy
innocent wife? Thou dost love her, but
thy ambition has over ruled this noble feel
ing.
"Go," said the queen, "thou art forgiv-
en-. Come soon tomorrow. This is our
birth day" she said, blushing, "apd we
have much to say to thee. No, no, not
my hand, but my lips it would i'll become
lovers, she added, as he bent to kiss her
hand. Onelong, fond cmhracc-the queen
and her subject Yes, England's proud,
unbcnding Elizabeth and leicester had
gone.
CHAPTER IT,
hchourof three chimcd swcetly through
the apartments, as leicester entered the
presence of his injured wife. She was
still sleeping with her head resting upon
her rounded arms. There was a sweet
smile upon the full, red lips, which told
that in sleep alone she was happy The
husband gazcd upon the bcauteous being !;
and, parting the hair upon her fair young
brow, kissed it tcnderly, while tears of re-
morse forced them away down his checks.
Sweet neglected one, could but learn
from the angels that guard thee to sever
the ties witch bind me to Elizabeth, |
might yet learn to be better man. | am
not worthy to touch thy hallowcd form.
Sleep on, sweet one, for it brings thee that
peace Of mind thou canst not find when
awake. Thou must rot know | am here.
lest thy tears and entrcatics melt my heart
and make nc forget the commands of my
queen. "comc soon Tomorrow. Day is
slowly pccping from yon eastern sky Once
more, sweet Amy, will press those cher
ishcd lips, and then of to Elizabcth, thy
rival"
The rich carpet did oct echo his light