Monmouth weekly herald. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1854-1860, 1860-02-16
MORNING FEBRUARY. Il6, 1860.

pupil wore, and ne spot of rust dulls it
bright surface, no stay unloosed, or dint
ed plate.
Ever faithful, good Arnold. All i
/ well. Tomorrow, at daybredk. he vii
be at the hall door with Black Rudolph
fathers horse, yourself in armor read,
to accompany the young knight"
Your bidding shall be DONE"
And, Arnold. should the young
knight lack ought in riding, or in thu
handling of the lance, direct him as yol
did my father"
Agnes turned and walked quickly to
the house, wholly unconscious of the curl
Gus gaze that 70 lowed her. Old Arnold
looked after her with wistful eyes, theE
murmured aloud
Proud step, like her father, yet lighi
as fairy's. Where has she found q
champion !? jesse has been ridden
smartly, see by her reeking tanks and
heaving sides. 1t can't be that poor
young Master Alfred is going to try
that would be madness, though know
be is equal in spirit to it ; poor fellow
no, no that can't be, for his arm is
neither steady nor strong. / can't
Arnold, old fellow" exclaimed a
CHEEKY voice, don't bother your old
brain, but obey orders. To morrow will
solve your doubts, God and st. Jose
phus grant that our poor masters cause
may be victorious"
Amen, Joseph" responded Arnold
And he turned aud went slowly toward
the hall.
just before daybreak the next morn
ing, obedient to orders, Arnold clad in
armor, holding black Rudolph, stood al
the hall door. His own horse was held
by Joseph. Both men watched with anx
ious eyes the opening of the heavy oaken
door.
Mayhap the young knight Oversleeps
himself, aud is dreaming now Of his lady
love" mockingly whispered the yoeman
to the old esquire.
The words were hardly out of his
mouth when the door swung back upon
it's hinges. and the ring of nailed heel
was heard upon the stone steps. Eager
eyes were raised and-lowered in great
disappointment, for the yizor was tightly
closed.
Perfectly silent, the unknown knight
mounted the spirited war horse, took the
lance, and started off at a smart trot
closely followed by Arnold. The zoe
man shook his head as he gazed after
them, and muttered, while watching them
till out of sight among the trees
Its nobody I know. He mounted
none too glibly, though he rides we'll. A
sender youth it is to combat with that
fiery young Dudley. Success to him."
In perfect silence the knight and the
esquire rode the short distance to the
field Of combat-a plain in the farthest
verge of the Lysle domain.
You must lead the way, Sir Esquire
for know not but may go wrong.
The voice was deep and clear, but in
vain did Arnold strive to remember hav.
ing heard it before. Shortly he oheyed
At last the ground was reached, aud
the stranger rode into the field on one
side, at the same moment that Mortimer
entered on the other. A few people
we're assembled to witness the struggle.
The unknown knight and Mortimer bud
ley gravely saluted, then backed their
horses to the extremity of the field, and
waited with lances in rest for the signal
to be given. A stout man, Sir William
Delorme, gave the required shout. On
an instant both herses sprang forward
and bore their riders on. Once they met
yet neither was struck-the second
charge, the lance of the Earl OF Dudley
touched the shoulder of the young
knight, who visibly reeled. Arnold was
in despair, and murmured:
s'Ah's lost the next charge he will
fall II"
A third time they rushed forward, and
In cloud of dust one went down. AR
mold closed his eyes and fairly groaned
when a shout made him re open them
/" Lysle for ever Lysle for ever r.
Sure enough it was the proud Earl of
Dudley who was endorsed. and beside
him knelt the stranger knight.
Now yield you. Mortimore, Earl of
Dudley"
" YIELD" said the young Earl; but
/ would know to whom, for that You are
not Sir Henry Lysle, am sure. ]"
The friends of both parties stood
around. and Arnold among the foremost.
Rise up Mortf ner, Earl Of Dudley,
and you shall know who has been able
to conquer you"
The young nobleman rose, and with
folded arms looked at the slender mailed
figure before him.
The stays were Embossed and the hem.
let thrown back, and the sun streaming
through the clouds which had until then
obscured it, shone full upon the uncov-
cred face. Mortimore started while a
loud triumphant shout rent the air. The
young man gazed with wonder and ADM.
ration upon the delicate face, long. wav-
ing brown hair, and heaving bosom OF
young Agnes Lyslet
A red flush rose to the brow of the
naughty Earl, and be bit his lips NTH
rage. - 49,