Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1860-05-03

''Yol are named Raoul de Lys?"
Raul inclined bis head
and you?" the seneschal continued, turniu.
to the second knight.
an. pane is Robert de Guercy."
''Tlen, Robert de Guercy and Raoul de Lys,
said the senescl,al, Il arrest you BOTH
"l'y whose authority?" demanded Rauu
fercck.
"ls the empcror's," replied the scneschal
strikF-g the parchment with bis withered hand
The two knights looked at each other witt
astonishment.
'"1eH will surrender Your swor,ls,' said til,
Seneselal.
Raful and Robert disdainfulIy gave up thei
|, weapons.
':At least tell us what crime we are accused, ,
said Daoul
''lt1s not specified in the letter." replied thu
senesfha, "only that you are to be imprisoned
and my orders command your separation"
"QEr separation !" cried Raoul, throwing him.
sell into the arms of his friend. s'Robert is my
ofotiFr ln-arms-my companion in peril anC
pleasure. Part us not"
Compel me not to use violence" said the
s senes fai' gravely. "obey-and trust to for
"Gk5d night, then, Robert" said Raoul sadly
"What may be the issue of this affair Heaven
only Gan decide"
ThSseneschal departed with his other pris-
oner. and Raou de Lys heard the door barred
and licked behind him. Throwing himself up-
on arssoaken BENCH he reflected painfully upon
the SUDDEN change which had fallen on his for
tunes A few days since he was favorite of
the geatest monarch of the earth-now, he was
prsper by command of his successor. A few,
mon iSe before he looked forward to raptur-
Gus seting with Rotrude now he was separa-
ted f4'm her and perhaps forever. As these
palnif thoughts passed through his mind, the
iron tpgue of the belfry of St. James struck
twelvA secret door swung open on its hinges,
and Dbert de Guercy, holding lamp in his
handsand followed by female figure, entered
the hjll. Raou started to his feet
"R:7ul brother! friend" cried the knight
we must up and act. The emperor has
doomh us to perpetual imprisonment"
"flw know you this q"
Ro,ert de Guercy pointed to the shrinking
fgurgof Gisla. srsz.zr-- -.
lsthis true, ladyr2" 81 isF.sI IS
siss ,sssqsue,s.a+e. ana i".s,a a1roI ssa.y
sft.Why did we give up our swopas?H tried
Raoul, furiously-ssit would have been hettertn
have died fighting like knights and gentlemen,
than perish like rats in a dungeon. But where
is Rutrude ?"
s'FIere, Raou," answered the soft voice of a
glorious, dark-eyed creature, who gided into
the hall and threw herself into the arms of her
lover.
Gisla wrung her hands and wept.
"Fe sister," said R"trude, turning from the
embrace of Rapul. These tears are unworthy
of sister of Charlemagnc-th mistress of a
;~lk TO hn
saneschal is sound asleep. l have corrupted the
courtyard. Let us fly while yet we have the
time"
ssAnd wherefore fly p asked deep voice.
Rotrude turned in terror, and Louis himself
issuing from the secret passage, stood before
them.
"'Thou here?" cried Rotrude.
"Ay-sister mine" said the monarch. "Why
you fly before me, like startled doves. ! found
your nest warm knew you could not be far
off"
"Bnt how could you win your way hither 2
L. uis smiled.
"Dear GIRL, said he, ''the secret passages o
the old palace are as well known to me as the
architect himself. l could find my way through
their labyrinthne windings blindfolded. So, ,
he added, turning to the two knights, ''you are
here 2"
EYES, my iege, answered Raoul, 'and unarm
ed and prisoners by your order"
"Vaior may well be prisoner, when beauty
is his jaior," said the monarch, smiling. can
to understand you noble knights, that yol
love these damses fair 90
"More than lfe!" replied Robert and Raou
simultaneously.
"And you are not disposed to be cruel 2
asked Louis, turning to the sisters.
Their bushes answered in the affirmative.
"Ah cried Louis, reproachfully. "Why dit
you not make confidant of me- and treat M
as friend and brother? You should have beer
welded royalty Now, since it seems to m
that the ceremony must Immediately take place
there is no room for splendor. l have prizes
in waiting. Go, dearest sisters, and put on you
bravest attire, and return to me at once
The sisters obeyed.
Raoul was astonshed
Can | have heard Alright! T. he exclaimed
{ Does your majesty really intend to bestow o.
poor knights the sister of your maiesty?"
IF you lire," replied the monarch, ''you sha
wed them ere the morning dawn. Poor knights
say you? Those who enjoy sovereigns favo
can never be termed poor. And as a token {
my countenance, / hereby present two cost
| helmets with the accompanying armor, when
pray you to put Immediately. A warro
should wed in mail.'
At signal from the hemonarch, four attendant
appeared from the secret passage, bringing tw
complete suits of Armor.
"These are curious" said the monarch. ago
will value them as having once belonged to m
Ilustrious brother-nlay his soul rest in peace
They were made in Italy, and sent him fror
Ravenna, in return for huge goblet filled wit
precious stones"
As he spoke thus, the attendants disarme
the knights, and clad them in their new armol
This change accomplished. Louis bade them b
seated and await in the hall the return of him
self and their brides
When. after the lapse of sometime, the tw
sisters apparelied from head to foot in virgi
white, and holding each other by the hand, re
entered the hall, they foundthe two knights sit
ing motionless in the large oaken chairs wher
Louis had left them. Each lady, distinguishin
her lover by his stature, for the visors of thei
helmets were closed, repaired to his side. Th
warriors did not rise to welcome their brides