Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1860-02-17

Henry opened his eyes, and seemed eonSc1onS
of all that was going on. He endeavored to
speak but that being impossible, paper and
pencil were brought him. In large, irregular
character he scrawled
Doctor, will be well enough to go out to-
morrow J"
| With wistful eyes be watched the physician
as he deciphered the characters, and his face
expressed the bitterest despair as DR.. Thomp-
son shook his head. Again he wrote:
II cannot meet Mortimer Dudley, and we
are lost Agnes
| AgHes read the irregular writing. so differ
ent from his usual firm, clear words, and she
could scarcely repress the tears; but, bravely
mastering her feelings, she said, bending over
the stricken man, "Can you hear what L say,
father ?"
! A faint nod was the answer.
| "Then rest in peace, dear father, for cham
pion will be found who will strive as nanfully
as you-and God grant that he may be as brave
and skillful!"
| A smile of contentment passed over the sick
mans face, and be calmly closed his eyes Too
, i'll to question or doubt, he believed his daugh-
! ter's words.
Towards the close of that day, Agnes return
/ ed from short and rapid ride and sought in
/ the stable for old Arnold. her fathers trusty
esquire. The old man turned as he heard the
clatter of the horses hoof, and was only in
time to see Agnes spring lightly from the sad
die. He DOTTED his cap respectfully, and wait
cd for his mistress to speak.
" on know, Arnold, that it was my fathers
purpose to ride forth to meet young Dudley at
daybreak tomorrow %
Il know know, Mistress Agnes but he
is il-stricken down-and cannot CO. answer
ed the old servitor in a mournfui voice.
Il know of a champion, and the girls pale
face flushed as she spoke, a rather inexpcrienc-
ed youth, but one who has brave heart, keen
eye and ready hand All that he has, but no
armor, and my fathers is all too wide for him,
Know you of any other?''
Up in the garret is a suit long unused. II
belonged to your father when he was mere
stripping scarcely stouter than you dear lady .
THAT will do very well, l think. Have it
brightly polished all i'll order, and lay it on the
couch in the red ROOM
1T is as bright now, Mistress Agnes" re-
piled the old man respectfully, though with an
accent of pride, las the day your father last
wore it, nearly forty years ago. | loved the
armor my Young pupil wore, and no spot of
rust dulls lis bright surface, no stay unloosed,
or dinted plate
"lIvcr faithful, good Arnold. All is we'll
/ Tomorrow, at duy-brcak, be at the hall door
with Black Rudoth, fathers horse, yourself i'll
armor ready to accompany the young knight
Your b:ddings shall be DONE
| rnOl1 cbarlfI flo 1-ounor I, l.
aught in riding, OF in tie handling of the lance,
direct him as you did my father .. 10
Agnes turned and. walked quickly to the
house, wholly unconscious of the curious gaz,
that followed her. Old Arnold looked after
her with wistful eyes, then murmurea aloud:
proud step, ike her father. yet as light as
a fairy's. Where has she found champion .?
Jessee has been ridden smartly, l see by her
reeking flanks and hcav;ng SIDES. 1t can't be
that poor, young Master Alfred is going to try
that would be madness, though | know he is
equal in spirit to it +; poor fellow no, no; that
can't be, for his arm is neither steady nol
strong. / can't think '--
Arnold, o!d fellow, exclaimed CHEEKY
I voice, don't bother your Old brain, but obey
orders Tomorrow will solve your tl,ubts.-
And st. Joscphus grant that our poor master,
cause may be Victorious
:, Amen, Joseph responded Arnold. And
| he turned and went slowly toward the hall.
Just before daybreak the neat morning ODE
dent to orders, Arnold, clad in armor, holding
black Rudolph stood at the hall door. Hi
: own horse was held by Joseph. Both mel
watched with anxious eyes the opening of til
heavy Oxen door.
Mayhap the young knight oversleers him
= SELF and is dreaming now of his !ady-love,
r mockingiy whispered the yeoman to the olo
a esquire.
< The words were hardly ont of his moutl
when the door swung back upon its hinges
t and the ring of mailed heel was heard upol
l the stone steps. Eager eyes were raised ant
: lowered in great disappointment, for the Vi
e sor was tightly CLOSED
Perfectly silent, the unknown knight mount
|, ed the spirited war horse, took the lance ant
started off at smart trot, closely followed b.
V Arnold. The yeoman shook his head as h
gazed after them, and muttered, while watcl
ing them till out of sight among the trees:
IT It's nobody know. He mounted non
I too glibly, though he rides well. A slende
O youth it is to combat with that fiery youn
Dudley. Success to him
le In perfect silence the knight and the esquil
u rode the short distance to the field of combat
e. plain in the fartherest verge of the Lysle d.
1 main. As they neared the field, the youn
le knight said
" You must lead the way, sir esquire, for
- know not but may go wrong"
as The voice was deep and clear, but in va
:. 4
a before. Silently he obeyed.
id At last the ground YVES reached, and Il
he stranger rode into the field on one side at Il
same moment that Mortimer Dudley entert
as on the other A few people were assemble
to witness the struggle. The unknown knig
Id and Mortimer Dudley gravely saluted, tn
er backed their horses to the extremity of t
le, field and waited with lances in rest for the 81
nal to be given. A stout man, Sir VIM. L
lorme. gave the required shout. On an iDsta
en- both horses sprang forward and bore their
ders Once they met yet neither W
struck-the second charge, the lance of
no Earl of Dudley touched the shoulder of
nd young knight. who visbly reeled. Arnold "
sar in despair, and murmured
sAlfs lost the next charge he will fall L
to A third time they rushed forward, and in
as cloud of dust one went down. Arnold clos
wv, his eyes and fairly groaned when a shout m;
of him reopen them-"Lysle for ever! Lysle
to ever. y
she Sure enough, it was the proud Earl of D
ley who was unhorsed, and beside him kI
the stranger knight.
to "Now yield you, Mortimer Earl of Dudle
Il yield" said the young Earl "but l wo
ber know to whom, for that you are not Sir He
Law Lysle am sure"
ned The friends of both parties stood around,