The weekly Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1860-1863, 1862-02-20

DieeIlDgl'
you ars taking at random woman, -
said the earl sternly, recovering in mea
sure his selGpossession. "What is it you
wanl-moncy?'
"Not for worlds would l touch your
gold, Edward St. Oroix," exclaimed ths
gypsy queen. with naughty gesture. "red
as !! is with the blood ofthe innocent! No
| come to warn you, man. that the cup OF
vengeance is nearly full, that the sword oi
justice is ready. even now, TO descend up.
on your head! Go, and instead Of fulfil.
ling ;he wicked purpose that is in your
heart 10 night, mount your feetest stped
and escape to some far country. snd there
by a life of peniteuce strive to retrieve
the pastP H te r...
"Are you mad, wo'oan, to addr SO such
language to me?' exclaimed the eall an.
grily.
"Nay hear me out, said the gypsy,
calmly. Tomorrow is to b. your bri
dal day,is il not-that is TO witness your
marriage with the beautiful Lady Blanch
"ltis,' replied her companion, grim
smile Of satisfaction fitting across his
face at the recollection.
Woe to The dove when it mates with
the hawkl' said tho gipsy. Edward 81
Croix, was not the eardom enough for
thee. that thou must lay thy blood.s' ain.
ed hands also upon the betrothed Of thy
murdered cousln?' =,
St. Croix fairly reeled upon his saddle
What do you means' he gasped.
NAY, be calm said the woman mock
ingly, as she observed his' agitation; let
not your craven heart fail you now -
Dead men tell no tales! The moon tina,
beheld that deed of flood. tie river thai
received the body Of the victim, have nc
tongue to accuse you. Yet there is one
whose eyes were upon you, whose venge
snrG will surely over;ake you. Go!
warn you TO fee from the wra h that Is
comingP ......- ..- .
The earl remained some seconds will
bis eyes fixed intently upon the spo
where the woman disappeared. The colo
sweat started out in large drops upon bis
face, and his limbs shook as il seized
with an aguc fit. ....s.
"She is no woman he muttered tc
himself, as he spurred his horse onward
but very 6end! But were she twice
tie fend that she is, should not stand be
tween me and my promised brde!'
He reached Egberton Hallin safety
and endeavored with large draughts Of
wine to drown all recollections of tic
scene through which he had just past
But it was in vain;those black eyes seem
ed TO be burning into his very soul, am
the tones Of that strange, mysterious war
ming still sounded in his ears.
'Pshaw! he exclaimed after an ineff-c
tual effort to Danish it from his mind. ii
is mere suspicion on her part; she cal
know nothing about it, But lei her TOO
beware; if she crosses my path again,
will send Ler where her babbling tongue
will be quiet for tle future!'
x < =
Once more Lord Cantref's mansion il
all hustle and activity. The bells ring
forth merry peal, for it is the bridal da!
Of the sole daughter Of his house, the La
dy Blanche, the Rose of Glendale.
A murmur of mingled pity and aimi
ration filled the church as the bride en-
tered. Her face was almost as pale a
was the costly veil, whose ample folds fel
nearly to her feet, and bore The impress 0
deep seated melancholy. She locke,
more like corpse than bride, and th
whole proceeding resembled far more
funeral than a brideal. The bridegroom
soon entered, whose haggard countenanc
indicated that he had passed la sleeplcs
night. No murmurs followed lis entranc
even among his own retalners. for he boz
no resemblance TO the late earl, his predt
cessor, whose affable and engaging maj
ners had made him general favorite.-
: His rnorose unsocial disposition an
naughty bearing made him both dislike
and feared. AS he took his place by Ii
Idy Blanche he looked little Ike "a happ
t bridegroom, his amer was abstracle;
D and his eyes wore an anxious and restlel
expression and several. times he gave
3 sharp, hurried glance around the churc
. as il fearing to meet some unexpecte
guest. lie grew calmer, however. whe
, lhe ceremony commenced. ...-
/ When the old rector bade those evil
knew cause or just impediment WI
D those TWO persons should not be joined t
u gether in holy matrimony to declare il
it was considered by these who heard
f as mere matter of firm, and they We
: startled by the sound of a deep hollo
voice in their midst which said:
d "hold! | forbid the marriage
). The bridegroom turned toward Il
aIplacs whence it proceeded. He started, al
e glcw pale, as his glance fell upon 4
G swarlhy brow and flashing eyes of Gle
Fl patra, the gypsey queen. Unabashed
= his angry glance, or the many eyes fix
upon her, she exclaimed boldly: E
a ~ proclaim Edward 81. Croix, false
% called the, Earl Of Egberton, to be fol
n swoin lover, trescherous kinsman, al
q a murderer, and therefore no fitting ma
.r for the pure and gentle Lady Blanche
vi 1T is false-she is mad!' said the ea
" hoarsely, 'Let the ceremony proceed.
. "Fool'' muttered the woman. ''y
d rush on your own destruction. Walt
% Earl of Egberton," she added. impressil
ID y turning toward man who sat in I
'e back part of the church, mufied up il
large cloak, ''come forward and prove I
d truth ofmy asserliop." As
AT these words the man arose, a