Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1860-01-16
THR UNKNowN CMAMPIoN.

The front door Of Lysle Hall shut so heavily
that il shook the house, starting young girl
and boy, who sat in the deep embrasure Of a
window, apparently waiting for something or
some person. The girl was dark-haired, dark
eyed, and extremely pretty, though her lips
cuFed rather haughtily, and an impeTious
glance shot from her large, dark eyes, which
told of proud spirit. The boy was pale and
golden haired wholly unlike his companion and
sister in feature, though his pale, thin lips had
the same hSughty curl, and his blue eyes grew
dark with pride; poor, weak thing was Alfred
Lysle, his right arm and leg being withered-
had been so from his birlb. He was gentle
sfectionGte, high spirited and talented, the idol
Of his widowed father and proud sister. There
were times when his spirit chafed, and he almost
cursed the poor manned body which was such
a clog to him.
Alfred read aloud, while bis sister Agnes
busted herself with piece of embroidery, CIV
ing, if the truth be told, very divided sttsn-
tiou to the words Of her brother.
"Was not that glorious description" asked
the boy, raising his face all glowing with POeti-
cal enthusiasm. t'
Yes think never heard a cataract de-
seribed more beautifully"
"Why, Aggie! | got long past the cataract
and reached the meadow"
"Oh, have you, dearl Well, Alfred, to tell you
the honest truth, | got thinking Of something
else. Be SO kind as TO read it over again, and
this timo l will surely listen toyou."
They boy laughed gsily, as he answered.
! tNo use, A. gie-yOur wits would be wool
gathering again before had read three lines.
| will not torment you any longer. Shall
talk to you, instead d-Or would you rather be
silent"
"WLat think you Sister Agues, will be the
result of this conlerencel" asked the boy, in a
low tone.
The girl raised troubled face, and answered,
very slowly:
GIndeed, Alfred, scarcely dare think. The
Dudlsys are not famed for generously, and"-
Bang bang! It was the ball door, closing so
heavily that it stopped her words and caused
both the young persons to start.
"Gone At last 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, fatherl thought Mortimer
Dudley would never 60. How is it settled"
The matter stands Just as it did before. he
will not abate one inch of ground, nor will l.
He thinks his claim as good as mine, and day
after tomorrow we meet on the debatable
ground, and with sturdy lances settle the ques.
ton"
Good, father 1 feared you might be com.
PEELED to yield, and couldn't bear TO think that
in your old age you would be obliged to give uI
your home and 60 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 Oyerthrown. Aye, charge at him, i'fath.
or, and may God and Saint Mary guide YOU
weapon so that you come of conqueror''
The old man smiled and patted the glowing
cheek of his pretty, spirited daughter, then seat
ed himself beside his son nd read with him
Sir Henry Lysle was about fifty.fVe, hand
some and bigh-spirited, an upright, honorable
and kind father. For two generations, between
the house Of Dudley and Lysle had been long
standing quarrel concerning some property,
tS SO-thirds, including the buildings, Of the
Lysle estate. The dispute had been carried from
court to court, without any decision being made
in favor Of either party Lately, Robert, Earl
of Dudley, had eied 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 debateabe ter
ritOy then, in the fourteenth century, a very
common method of settling disputes. Thus the
matter stood, aud with conversation and read
ing the three passed the evening.
After Alfred had retired, Agnes fingered be
hind, seemingly averse to leave her father Sir
Henry noticed her hesitation, and, putting an
arm round her waist, and 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 oul
home. III fall, as fall may, we are homeless
Should anything happen to prevent me from
engaging in this confict-'
"But nothing can happen TO prevent you
father" eagerly interrupted Agnes.
Nothing but sudden illness or death, my
child"
10. fatherP'
I'VE must look at possibilities, my dear child
and trust you DO not shrink. II, as l say
anything should prevent me from fighting my
fight, know not what you will do. a little
money have; you will find it in the ebony
cabinet beside my bed With that, you mus
90 with your brother to our relations beyond
the border. Never mind, my child; 1 feel that
you tremble. Well only look on the bright
side; and now, good night"
Thus they parted, with one fond embrace -
As Agnes entered her chamber, her heart wal
heavy with PreSentiment Of coming evil.
About midnight Agnes was aroused from
deep though troubled slumber, by hand lait
J firmly on her shoulder. It was hargeIy, thc
old nurse.
40, dear. Miss Agnes! Get up-wake-al
quick ss you can, for you are wanted"
There was trouble and despair in the old wo
mans voice, and Agnes sprang from her bed
and began to dress as hastily as possible, whil'
she eagerly questioned Margery.
What is the matter, MaTgeryi"
'Sif Henry, your dear father, is ill-takeI
suddenly"
with whatl"
40, dear, Miss, don't know! James, who
always sleeps 10 the next room, heard kind
Of gToaning, and, rushing in, found my desl
master in some kind of fit"
go, mercilnl Heaven! spare my father TO met
exclaimed the trembling Agnes, as throwing q
shawl over her shoulders, she flew, rather thar
ran, down stairs. At the door Of her fathers
room, she paused and turned to Msrgery, whc
had followed as closely as she could
'Has any one gone for the dOctor!"
"Yes, James went as soOn aa l could 90 I,
master"
Agnes entered the dimly-lighted chamber
and approached the bed where her father Ia,
: 90 white and motionless, while the frightene,
servants stood round mutsly. Sir Harry Lyslt
was a good, kind master, and the servants Wen
devoted to him. Summoning ell her courage
Agnes neared the bed. At the first sight sh
trembled, for she thought her father was dead
Bending over him, she laid her hands upon hi
heart, and was rejoieeI to feel that il pulsAte'
still-thaughve very, very iaintly. Ignorant Nha
70 do, Agnes bathed he= fathers face and was
in despair ct the failure of her efforts, when th
physician entered. DR.. Thompson pronounce,
It to be a paralytic stroke, and proceeded t
bleed the patiant Soon Sir Henry opened hii