Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1860-02-17
VOL. XIII.
THE UNKNoww cHAMP1o1

= "a S4WA&VOSV ~ S7 am &4ON-
The front door of Lysle Hall shut 80 heavily
that it 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
curled rather haughtily, and an iEperious
glance shot from her large, dark eyes, which
told of a 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 naughty curl, and his blae eyes
grew dark with pride poor, weak thing was
Alfred Lysle, his right arm and leg being with
ered-had been so from his birth. He was
gentle affectionate, high spirited and talented,
the idol of his widowed father and proud sister.
There were times when his spirit chafed, and
ne almost cursed the poor MANNED body which
was such clog to him.
Alfred read aloud, while his sister Agnes
busted herself with piece of embroidery, Civ
ing if the truth be told, very divided atten-
ton to the words of her brother.
"Was not that a glorious description ?" ask
ed the boy, raising his face all glowing with
poeticm enthusiasm.
Eyes. / think never heard cataract de-
scribed more beautifully"
"Why, Aggie got long past the cataract
and reached the meadow
"Oh, have you, dear? Well, Alfred to tell
you the honest truth. got to thinking ofsome-
thing else. Be so kind as to ad it over again,
and this time l will surely listen to YOU
The boy laughed gaily. as he answered.
mo use. Aggie-your wits would be wool
T IL
l will not torment you any longer. Shall
talk to you, instead-or would you rather be
SILENT
"What think you Sister Agnes, will be the
result of this conference ?" asked the boy, in a
low tone.
The girl raised troubled face, and answer
ed, very slowly:
"Indeed, Alfred, scarcely dare think. The
Dudleys are not famed for generosity, and
Bang bang 1t was the hall door, closing
so heavily that it stopped her words and caused
both the young persons to start.
"Gone at last ~ exclaimed Agnes. 4 nd she
rose to her feet just as the door of the room
where they were sitting opened, and an old
gentleman entered
"What now, father? l thought Mortimer
| NOuiu never gU HOW lS IL SctlICu
''The matter stands just as it did before
He will not abate one inch Of ground, nor will
[. He thinks his claim good as mine, and
day after tomorrow meet on the debatable
ground, and with sturdy lances settle the ques-
| ton"
! "Good, father! feared you might be COM
pelled to yield, and 1 couldn't bear to think
| that in your old age you would be obliged to
| give up 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 overthrown. Aye, charge at
hiia, father, and uay God and Saint Mary
| guide your weapon SO that you come off coil-
queror."
The old man smiled and patted the glowing
cheek ofh;s pretty, spirited daughter. then scat
ed himself beside his son and read with him.
Sir Henry Lysle was about fifty-ive, hand
some and high-spirited, an upright, honorable
and kind father. For two generations, be-
tween the house of Dudley and I.ysle had been
a long standing quarrel concerning some prop
erty, two-thirds, including the buildings of
the Lyslc estate. The dispute had been car
ried from court to court, without any decision
being made in favor of tither party. Late! y
Robert, Earl of Dudley. had died. and his son
a dashing young man Of twenty-five, lad. tired
of the old-time quarrel. proposed to settle the
debate by single combat to be held on the de
batable territory-then, in the fourteenth cen
tury, a very common method of settling dis
putes. Thus the matter stood, and with con
; versation and reading the three passed the even
ing.
After Alfred had retired. Agnes fingered be
\ hind, seemingly averse to leave her father. 81
: Henry noticed her hesitation. and, putting al
} r.n around her waist, and siroking her darl
curling hair, he said earnestly:
e "Day after tomorrow, Agnes, l shall noun
r my good steed and battle for my rights anc
e our home. If fall, as fall l may, we arc home
, less. Should anything happen to prevent M
: from engaging in this conflict"
t but nothing can happen to prevent you
/, father eagerly interrupted Agnes
! "Nothng but sudden illness or death, m
n child
80, father I"
Is ave must look at possibilities, my dea
IS child, and trust you do not shrink. If, as
d say, anything should prevent me from fghtin
6 my fight, know not what you will do.
little money l have you will find it in ii
ebony cabinet beside my bed. With that, yo
must go with your brother to our relations b
N yond the border. Never mind, my child
if feel that you tremble. We'll only look on IL
c. bright side; and now, good night!'
g Thus they parted, with enc fond embrace
Id As Agnes entered her chamber. her heart w;
eff heavy with presentiment of coming evil.
tn About midnight Agnes was aroused from
a deep though troubled slumber, by hand la
- firmly on her shoulder. It was Margery, t
old nurse.
80, dear, Miss Agnes! Get up-wake-
quick as you can, for you are wanted
le There was trouble and despair in the Q
ok womans voice, and Agnes sprang from h
Is bed and began to dress as hastily as possib
DIV while she eagerly questioned Margery.
on "What is the matter, Margery?"
no "Sir Henry, your dear father, is ill-tak
= suddenly
- "With what?"
oy 30, dear, Miss, don't know James, W
his always sleeps in the next room, heard a ki
ow of groaning, and, rushing in, found my dc
ere master in some kind of fit"
nes 20, mercfal Heaven spare my father
to me !" exclaimed the trembling Agnes,
en-; throwing shawl over her shoulders, she fe
ess rather than ran, down stairs. At the door
by her fathers room, she paused and turned
ow- Maroerv who had followed as closely as (
could.
"Has any one gone for the doctor? ?"
"Yes james went as soon as l could go
MASTER
hat Agnes entered the dimly lighted cham
an and approached the bed where her father
the SO white and motionless, while the frig htel