Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1860-07-21

stricken man '''0
g. Can you distinctly hear and understand
what say, father r."
A faint nod was the answer.
Then rest in peace, dear father, for cham.
pion will be found who will strive as manfulIy
as youMand God grant that he may be as brave
a smile OF contentment passed over the sick
% MAJ face, and he calmly closed his eyes.
100 III to question or doubt, he believed his
daughters words.
Towards the close of that day, Agnes re-
turned 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
CHATTER OF the horses hoofs and was only in
time to see Agnes spring lightly from the sad
die de dotted his cap respectfully and waited
for his mistress to speak.
You know, Arnold, that it was my father 8
purpose to ride forth to meet young Dudley at
daybreak Tomorrow -
:" know-I know, Mistress Agnes, but he s
Ill, stricken down, and cannot GO" answered
the old servitor, in a mournful voice
know of champion, and the girls pale
face flushed as she spoke, "a rather inexpe-
rienced youth, but one who has brave heart.
keen eye and ready hand. All that he has
but no armor, and my fathers is full too wide
for MIN Know you of any other ?"
'Up in the garret is a suit long unused. 1t
belonged to your father when he was a mere
stripping, scarcely stouter than you dear lady. +"
" That will do very we'll, L think Have it
brightly polished, all in order, and lay it on
the couch in the bed room"
- 1t is as bright now," Mistress Agnes, re-
Piled the old man, respectfully, though with an
accent of pride, "as the day your father last
wore it, nearly forty years ago. loved the
armor my young pupil wore, and no spot of
dust dulis its bright surface, no stay unloosed,
or dinted plate"
Ever faithful, good Arnold all is we'll.
TOMORROW, at daybresk, be at the hall door
WIN black Rudolph, fathers horse, yourself
knight"
- Your bidding shall be done"
ana, Arnold should the young knight lack
aught In riding, or in the handling of the lance
direct him as you did my father"
Agnes turned and walked quietly TO the
mouse, wholly unconscious of the curious gaze
which followed her. Old Arnold looked after
ner with Wlstful eyes, then murmured aloud
Proud step, ike her father, yet light as a
falrys. Where has she found a champion ?
Jessie has been ridden sharply, 1 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 l know he is
equal in spirit to it, poor fellow; no, no, that
can't be, for his arm is neither steady nor
strong. l can't think
Arnold, old fellow" exclaimed a cheery
voice, "don't bother your old brain, but obey
orders. Tomorrow will solve your doubts
God and st. Josephus grant that our poor mas
ters cause may be Victorious -
Amen, Joseph" responded Arnold And
he turned and went slowly towards the hall
Just before daybreak the next morning.
obedient to orders, Arnold, clad in armor,
holding black Rudolph, stood at the hall door
His own horse was held by Joseph Both men
watched with anxious eyes the opening of the
heavy oaken door.
"Msyhap the young knight Oversleeps him :
self, and Is dreaming now of his lady love. {"
mockingly whispered the yeomsn to the old
esquire
the door swung back upon its hinges, and the
ring of a nailed heel was heard upon the stone
steps Eager eyes were raised and lowered in
great disappointment, for the visor was tightly
closed.
Perfectly silent, the unknown knight mounted
the spirited war-horse, took the lance, and
started of at a smart trot, closely followed by
Arnold.
The yeoman shook his head, as he gazed after
them, and muttered, while watching them till
out Of sight among the trees
"I It's nobody know. He mounted none too
glibiy, though he rides we'll. A slender youth
is to combat with fiery young Dudley. Sue
cess to him -
In perfect silence the knight and the esquire
rode the short distance to the field of combat
plain in the farthest verge of the Lysle do
| main. As they nesred the field the young
knight said
"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 having heard
it before. Silently he obeyed.
At last the ground was reached, and the
stranger rode into the field on one side at the
nnnt hat n,.IL \
on the other. A few people were assem- bled to
| witness the struggle. The unknown knight
and Mortimer Dudley gravely saluted, then
backed their horses to the extremity of the
field, and waited, with lanees in rest, for the
signal 10 be given. A stout man, Sir William
Delorne, gave the required shout. On an in
slant both horses sprang forward and bore their
riders on. Once they met, yet neither was
| struck; the second charge, the Earl of Dudley
touched the shoulder of the young knight, who
| visibly reeled. Arnold was in despair, and
murmured-
''All lost the next charge he will fall :"
A third time they rushed forward, and in a
cloud Of dust one went down Arnold closed
his eyes and fairly groaned, when a shout made
him reopen them" Lysle forever! Lysle for
| ever !"
Sure enough, it was the proud Earl of Dud-
| ley who was unhorsed, and beside him knelt
the stranger knight.
| NOW ylelu you, mortimer, Earl OF Dudley. -
81 yield, b" 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, Mortimer, Earl of Dudley, and
| you shall know who has been able to conouer
you"
The young nobleman rose, and with folded
arms looked at the slender mailed figure be-
| fore him.
The stays were unloosed and helmet threwn
back, and the sun streaming through the clouds
| which had until then obscured It, shone full
| upon the uncovered face. Mortimer started,
| while loud triumphant shout rent the air
The young man gazed in wonder and admira-
| ton upon the delicate face, long, waving
brown hair, and heaving bosom, of young Ag.
| mes Lvsle
A red flush rose to the brow of the naughty
Earl, and he bit his lips with rage
BE not chagrined, brave Dudley" said
| Agnes, in her rich, sweet voice, while the long
dark lashes dropped on her cheek, which was
| now paling and she extended her mailed hand
| " You have but bowed to the fate decreed to
all mankind. From the beginning to the end
| Of time brave men will yield to the power of
woman, and degrade not their manhood by so
| doipn Il hafflad for horna Tel