Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1860-03-15
An Original 8onta11ts
,1rrEN FOR THE YoRKv1LLE ENQUIRER.
DHU; Oh, THE FOUNDING
CHAPTER III.
BY MRS. NJ. RITCHIE.

LII Wdo OoAAJ Ah ehS ."-SS ~--~
warder at Norland Castle heard the war
like sound of bugles in the distance; an
nounoing the approach of strangers, and
shortly after, a flourish of trumpets at the
great gates proclaimed the arrival Of the
party, who craved hospitality. 1t was soon
ascertained to be a messenger from the roy
al army, that requested an audience of the
Laird and the heavy draw-bridge was
thrown down for his admission. The retain
ers were drawn up in the Court yard-rough
fellows and lawless loons-who were ready
to back their chief, sword in hand, in any
desperate emergency; and as the Southron
dignitary passed through them, leaving his
own guard on the other side the ravine, he
was saluted with sullen looks of discomfort.
Sir Robert Anstruther was seated in his
chair of state in the great hall, amid his
numerous dependents, determined to i'm
press the herald with due sense of his i'm
portance yet he could not repress start
when that functionary presented him with
a packet, sealed with the royal arms.
"A messenger from the King, bah ! he
said I'VE give you welcome and, prithee,
do not stint the cheer, whilst arrive at a
sepse of his missiye. Harkee knaves, hur.
ry the repast.'
Whilst the messenger attended to the
viands, the Laird tore open the letter and
proceeded to read it with flushed brow.
by the holy rood he muttered, impa'
tiently; ito join the invading army in per
son, and bring my followers, or pay hun
dred pounds within six days; if I fail, my
head will be forfeited and my Castle storm
ed. Hun-hun-a hundred men I car
command, but I'll not be drawn from my
fastness in that simple way, to do him hom
age, and if I rack the country round,
could not get as many shillings together
since it is forbidden to levy protection
money on the Lothians.'
With the mandate, however, came pri
vate letter from Lord Cranstown, which be
next perused, informing him of what ht
knew already-the Kings displeasure.-
he was we'll aware, too, that small depen
dence could be placed on those interests he
had betrayed; for the Laird had played
booty on both sides, nor could he rely or
the patriot band whose cause he had aban
doned, when fortune favored him. Har
rassed by corroding passions, vengeful and
irritable, the Laird let his chin fall on one
hand, whilst the other rested musingly or
the pommel of his claymore, unable tc
form a settled purpose, which Lord Grams
towns missa! was not calculated to soothe
Though it promised life, at the same time
it painted the frown of the monarch, as the
harbinger of death, unless he chose tt
save his honor at the expense of his daugh
ter's hand.
Sir Roberts remonstrances and entrea
ties, aggravated by his fierce suspicious
having failed with Beatrice, now blazed
forth into threats and imprecations, which
subsidized into deliberate purpose if she re-
fused immediate acquiesence He knew
Evan had fallen by his hand, and be re-
Aected that compulsory steps, on his part
were only just punishment for her delin
quency in having married one so far below
her station, and a just expiation to her faith
er's anger. He, therefore, resolved to send
a portion of his armed men to join the
Southern army, excusing his own atten
dance on plea of indisposition; and invited
Lord Cranstown to an immediate interview
with the promise that all his Requirements
should be complied with. ,sr
The messenger-a devoted instrument o.
Lord Cranstown-departed and brought
with him such a glowing description of Bea
trice's beauty, that her venerable admirel
resolved to put his schemes into execution
as rapidly as possible; whilst Sir Robert re-
tired to his private apartment, overwhelm.
ed in thought, to reflect on the terms which
were compulsory enough, and brought about,
as it were, with hemp and halter. Suddenly
he started up from the seat where he had
thrown himself, and fend-like expression
agitated the muscles of his face. 'Oh cur
sed pride p he exclaimed; 'wretched am
bition how have your tolls entangled m!