Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1859-11-19
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stcP' nc TOOK one look back upon his in
jured wife, and then wrcathed his face in
smiles to meet his queen.
Twas the queens birthday. Elizabeth,
the pride OF the English patton, sat arraycd
in regal magniEcenoc, surrounded by the
accomplished satellites of her court. while
bcvy of fair ladies graccd the happy
scene, and watched with fear the frown
which darkencd the royal brow Her un-
easy gaze swept over the vast crowd, even
while receiving the congratulations of her
loyal subjects. Yet she spoke not, though
the high, stern brow told tale of much
inward excitement. The entrance of the
handsome leicester served like magic to
render all bright again. Approaching his
royal mistress, he knelt and kissed her hand,
while compliments 50 cloqucntly uttered
summoned bushes on the royal coquettcs S
| check
Mcthinks your lordship had nearly for
gotten our birthday; but we pardon thy
tardincss, and trust thee for more prompt
ness i'll future. Thou hast ever been faith
tul in our cause Pcrchance thy gentle
wife has won thee back to domestic life.
and thou hast been in this case forgetful
of our interests" Then noticing tho
blush which manHcd his check, she said,
haughtily and with visible emotion, "wc
must find one whose heart is untouched by
womans charms OF tears Our interests
an'l tho welfare of our kingdom. must not
/ suffer because Il weak man secs fit to bnsk
in wifcs smiles leave our presence un-
til we shall have taught thee which is best
to serve or dis3bey."
Then with that case which ever charac-
terizcd her, she began to discourse with
the French amb, ssador, upon the appear
ancc of the handsome " Heavy of Angou,"
whom it was one time thought she would
marry.
CuAPTER III
Twilight had stolen softly through the
apartment of the maiden queen, and given
to its richness dreamy languor Eliza
beth rcclined, as when we first met her,
upon the same velvet couch. The dainty
foot again peeped from beneath her rich
dress; and now and then the beauteous
hands would clasp in silent, nay, hopeless
agony.
Again the Earl of Leicester was beside
her. though now his pale face was buried
i'll his hands Tears, bitter, scalding tears,
forced their way down his manly checks,
and left their burning impress there
Still he knclt and begged for life rather
+ than take it.
"Nay, Leicester, Amy must die -
came slowly through her closed tecth.-
She must die, and by thy hands; l will
give thee poison which will do the work
quickly" and thrusting her hand in the
bosom of her dress, she drew forth tiny
Al al
less as the pure drops which fell from hcav-
en-. +" a drop of this aud she sleeps
that sleep which knows no waking. Then
Elizabeth will possess hathappiness which
kingdom has failed to give her Or
Leicester, faltcr not; thy queen commands
thee. Bid her wait in another world for
thee. There we cannot meet, and upon
earth thou must be mine;" and she waved
her hand wildly around "Whcn the deed
is done, return to thy Elizabeth and she
will, with her love, drown that which now
thou fearcSt to do"
Slowly he arose, and parting the auburn
curls which clung in wild disorder around
his white brow, brushed the burning drops
from his check, pressed the form of her
who vowed to love him, and was gone.
CHAPTER IV.
"Noy, sweet one, drink; the ruby. drops
will summon thee to thoscpale checks, and
thou will be again my Amy of old"
No, Liescestcr, thou must pledge me
more of a husbands love and attention in
future, and then I will, obey;" and throw
ing her arms foudly around him, she Kiss
cd him tendcrly, while her warm breath
famed his burning check. Oh thou
canst not think how lonely I am without
! thee. What care | for this costly trash
when thou art ever absent, and she gazed
with contempt upon the magnifccncc
which surrounded her
Well, all shall be different" said the
carl, tcndcrly kissing her, while strange
expression of agony passed over his face.
Drink now sweet one and pledge me thy
faith"
Amy took the cup, and drained its con
tents. Laying it aside, she seized his hand
for his expression of face alarmed her.
He was deathly pale and terror seemed to
look forth from every feature. Falling
upon his knees, he claspcd her delicate
form, and in trembling accents said:
ooh Amy, forgive ne, forgive me Tor
the deed"
Nay, husband, thy mind wandors {;
thou hast promised to do better in future
thou art forgiven. Oh what happiness
is yet in store for us" =
Pray, Amy, thou arb" land the,words
died upon his lips ooh | would give