Mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado Co., Cal.) 1854-1860, 1860-02-25

I
rent the air. The young man gazed with
wonder and admiration upon the delicate face.
long. waving brown hair, and hcaying bosom
, Of young Agnes Lysle!
/ \ rcd flush roa: 10 the brow Of the naughty
Earl, and lac bit his lips with rage.
"Bc not chngrined, brave Dudley" said
Agnes, in her rich, sweet voice, while the long
dark la>hcs dropped on her check. which was
now paling, aud she extended her mailed hand
"You have but bowed to the fate dccrecd to
all mankind. From the beginning 20 the end
Of time brave men will yield to the pbwsr ol
woman, and degrade not thcr manhood by 50
doing. ! bsttied for my home, Sir Earl, and
God guided my arm. Hereafter, let US meet
aS friends who have proved each others met
tie. Shall it be sOt"
Unable to resist the sweet voice aud be-
witrhing smile, Mortimer seized the mailed
hand, aud, kissing 1t, whispered 50 low that
none Of the bystanders heard
Yes. thousand times yes-nnd from my
fall will rise and soar higher than ever seek
ing only for your love and APPRECIATION
\ bright blush spread over the beautiful
face, and for one moment the dark eyes were
raiscd-Only for moment-then, with half
murHurcd farewell, Agnes mounted her fa-
, Tiers horse aud prepared to leave the field as
quietly as she came. But this was not to be,
for MI the people present tuInod, with one aC.
cord, and in triumph accompanied her home.
She tried in vain to demonstrate against rfffs--
lirr words were Hhhetded. AT her blIdle-rGin
rode the proud Earl Of Dudley. 80
[ pnu- lis bed Of illness lay Sir lltrfyI1Nslr.
The ShontS Of the returning party reached his
cars, and hy signs he inquired the cause.
"IEc stranger knight returns victorious,
exclaimed Margcry, in delight. Alfred who
sat beside the bed, rose up, cXclaimiug, while
his frame fairly ,remblcd with excitement:
II, -faihcrl all the Joy isn't come yet.
Wait till you know all. Shall | go and lead
the proud conqucror to your bedside, dear
father"
An eager sign Of assent wns given by the
invalid, aud Alfred hastrned, as fast as his
lamcncsS would permit, from the room.
With n step less firm, and varying click,
Agnes, led by her brother, entered Sir Henry s
chamber. Her visor was closed. Coming
forw ard she knclt beside the bed. At an
eager sign from her father Sic stro,c 10 I'M
loose the stays, but her trembling fingers re.
fused to do her bidding. The Earl of Dudley,
who still kept by her side. undiI the fastcu-
ing> and Alfred threw hack tlc heavy he'll
met, disclosing the blushins, agitn;rd face oi
Agnes Ty,lr
The shock was great, aud effected cure,
for Sir Henry rose up IN bed and exclaimed
"Agncs Agnes my Agnes. In armor
coming here victoriouS!"
"YcS, lnth,r." exclaimed Alrrcl "Agncs
it is surely" Mortimer Dudley here stepped
forward
"GcntIy, Sir Henry. Lay back upon your
pillow Like hero, yonr daughter dunncd
armor, and hrnvcly conIhattcd for your rights,
and unhorsed me. !, the proudcst noblrman
III England, am here to say it. yield to her
all-my hcart and fortune. the devoted love
of lifetime, here III your presence, | lay ut
her feet, praying that she may not give me
my death blow, for refusal will kill mr."
With deep, devoted love shining from his
eyes, the naughty Mortimer Dudley waited
her answer. Rising from her knees, all clad
in clanklng armOr, and her face bril- with
happiness, Agnes I.y>lc came forward and
placed the tiny hand, SO lately cncasrd in n
mailed cuantlct, in the hands of .thc young
Earl, saying, with her fascinating smile
"lf | vanqni>hcd you, Mortimer Dudley,
You have conquered me for all time"
Mortimer folded the young girl in one fond
embrace, then turned to Sir Henry, who lay
npon his pillow, smiling bat weak
Your blessing, SIR Henry LySlc This
day your daughter has won back your inhcr-
tanrc and robhcdm me of the thing most valued
in this world, heart and liberty-two fratS."
Thus Agnes Lyslc became the wife of one
of the praudcSt mobiles in England, aud the
memory Of her feat is sill cherished for the
crest Of the Dudleys is "out of a ducal coronrt
of gold, womnn's bust, her hair dishcvclcd,
bosom bare, helmet on her head, with stay
or thront-la>h down." and Ms. in possession
of the Dndlcys, of NorrhamptonShirc pre-
serves the story Of The I'NxxowN CnANrIox.