Monmouth weekly herald. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1854-1860, 1860-02-16
ynteresting gtorg.
The Unknown Champion.


The front door of Lysle Hall shut s
heavily that it shook the house, startin
a young girl aud boy, who sat in the dee
embrasure of window, apparently wal
| ing for something or some person. Th
girl was dark haired. dark eyed and ey
tremely pretty, though her lips curle
rather haughtily, and an imperious glanc
shot from her large, dark eyes, whic
told Of proud spirit. The boy was pal
and golden haired wholly unlike hi
companion and sister in feature, though
his pale thin lips had the same Taught,
curl, aud his blue eyes grew dark witt
pride; poor, weak thing was Alfre,
Lysle, his right arm and leg-being with
ered-had been so from his birth. H
was gentle afectienatc, high-spiritet
and talented, the idol of his widowet
father and proud sister. There wer,
times when his spirit chafed, and he al
most cursed the poor manned body wheel
was such clog TO him.
Alfred read aloud, while his siste
Agnes busted herself with piece Of EN-
broidery, giving, if the truth be told,
very divided attention to the words o
her brother.
WAS not that glorious description 2
asked the boy, raising his face all glow
ing with poetical enthusiasm.
Yes. | think never heard a cata
ract described more beautifully"
Why, Aggiel | got long past thu
cataract and reached the meadow"
"Oh, have you, dear7 Well, Alfred
to tell you the honest truth, | got think
ing of something slse. Be so kid as &c
read it over again, and this time | viii
surely listen to yeu.'"
The boy laughed gaily, as he answered
No use, Aggie-your wits would be
wool-gathering again before / had read
three lines. | will not torment YOU any
longer. Shall | talk to you, instead --ol
would you rather be SILENT
Talk. if YOU please, Alfred"
What think you Sister Agnes, will be
the result of this conference ?" asked the
boy. in low tone.
The girl raised a troubled face, and
answered, very slowly:
Indeed, Alfred, scarcely dare think
The Dudleys are not famed for generos
ity. and -"
Bang Bangi It was the hall door
closing so heavily that it stopped her
word and caused both the young persons
to start.
Gone at last p exclaimed Agnes
And she rose to her feet just as the door
of the room where they were sitting
opened, and an old gentleman entered.
What now, father? Thought MORT
mer Dudley would never go. How is il
settled 2"
The matter stands just as it did be
fore. He will not abate one inch OIL
ground, nor will I. He thinks his claim
as good as mine, and day after to morrow
we meet on the debatable ground, and
with sturdy lances settle the question
Good, fatherl / feared you might
be compelled to yield, and / couldn't bear
to think that in your old age you would
be obliged to give up your home and &c
among strangers. The case has been
carried from court to court, and years
have passed away in futile waiting; now.
a well directed blow and the proud Earl
of Dudley will. be overthrow. ave
charge at him, father, and may God and
Saint Mary guide your weapon so that
you GENE off conqueror."
The old man smiled and patted the
glowing cheek or his pretty, spirited
daughter. then seated himself beside his
son and read with him.
Sir Henry Lysle was about fifty.fve
handsome and high spirited, an upright,
honorable and kind father. For two
generations, between the houses of Dud-
ley and Lysle had been a long standing
quarrel concerning some property two
thirds, including the buildings, Of the
Lysle estate. The dispute had been car
ried from court to court, without any de
cisioR being made In favor of either par
ty. Lately, Robert Earl of Dudley, had
died. and his son. dashing young man
of twenty five, had, tired Of the old-time
quarrel, proposed to settle the debate BY
single combat, to be held on the debata
BILE territory-then, in the fourteenth
century, very common method of set
Ting disputes. Thus the matter stood,
and with conversation and reading the
three passed the evening.
After Alfred had retired, Agnes I'm
gered behind. seemingly averse to leave
her father. Sir Henry noticed her hest
tation, and, putting an arm round her
waist, and stroking her dark curling
hair, he said earnestly:
DAY after to morrow, Agnes, / shall
mount my good steed and battle for my
rights and our home. Fl fall, as fall |
may, we are homeless. Should anything
happen to prevent me from engaging in
this conflict"
but nothing can happen to preveht
you, father eagerly interrupted Agnes
Nothing but sudden illness or death