Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1862-10-30
The Strange Cavalier.
BY Ii. SYMMS.

LeC me tell your IOrtuHe, pretty laules-
, very good fortune to you, ma'am," cried a dark
eyed gypsy, as two ladi es turned the corner of
, beautifully sequestere lane, while the last
rays of gorgeous sun were merging into the
mere voluptuous tiDge Of summer twilight.
- Oh, do let Us have our fortune told
should like to know my fortune p exclaimed
the younger Of the ladies, who leaned upon
the arm OF her companion.
Nonsense, Annette" rejoined her friend,
and by this time they had reached the spot
where the sybi was standing. Her appear
euce faiIy demonstrated her tribe her face
was CT the most swarthy nue, but interesting
in the expression der eyes were jet black /;
aud her dark elf locks, which hung disheVeled
ever Ter Eec,i I'D shoulders, were partly con
ceaIed by snail bat that was tied under the
chin by partly coiored handkerchief, while
her figure, OF no ordinary mould, was cncum-
bered by the tattered Fragments OF an old red
cloak Tie ladies paused for al instant to
contemplate tue object before them.
can tell you" said she, addressing the
younger lady, what, mayhap, you will not
like to bear Iou will lo,e, 0Ct yon will not
be loved again yen will sigh, but 10 sigh
will be returned 10 you ; you vii. weep, teGrs
will fall Oh your cheek like dew on the sum
mer fowe., that dries but receives fresh naois-
| ture"
Without uttorng word, the ladies now
turned, and hastily pursued their way home
ward. They had wandered, attracted by the
| Tea Gty Of the evening, farther than they had
/ intended. The Baroness D, for so We
must introduce Der to our readers, had taken
under her protection AuUette De NJ, who
was an orphan, and the sole remaining branch
of d noble family The Baroness D had
herself been left an orphan at an early age
She ha d Gfterward married the Baron D,
who had been dead about two years at the
/ tine our story commences, leaving her with
ouc progeny, her only child having died in its
infancy. She had inherited her husbands vast
estates, and was at this time residing in her
favOrile castle, situated in the most beautiful
of the IN idlaud counties of England.
The ladies silently pursued their way until
they reached the extensive avenue that form,
ed the barrier to the noble domain. Trees of
regular bat enormous height were thickly stud
ded on eEher side aud the Baroness frequent
ly started at the echo of their footsteps as she
pressed forward with her yoHng companion.
The moon had risen aud now sh0ne in silVery
brightness while not a zephyr famed the TO-
of the night They had reached about the
middle OF the avenne, when they were alarmed
by the sound of horses hoofs Both started
and iearluIy looked behind them the figure
OF q man on horseback was distinctly visible
retreat or flight was alike impossible for in au
other minute cavalier, iu complete armor,
and mounted on a painting charger, stood be-
side them. III the ucxt moment the knight
I'm. a-,I fol,
fully upon Que knee before the Baroneos, ex-
claimed
" Fair lady, djign to take pity on a stran-
ger knight, who is pursued by his enemies !;
even now" cried he, with increased trepida-
ton, " is price set Upon my head my par
ty have been defeated by some OF CromweIi's
array, and uenher OF ny followers are slain.
DejgG then, kiad lady, to grant me an asylum
! in your mansion for the night only and |
pledge you ou the faith of q tree knight to re-
quite your hospitality"
Sir Knight" replied the Baroness, "your
request is granted it is erough for me to
know that you are a royaltst, and in danger
follow US thea, AID promise you sale re
treat
The cavalier arose, and was p%ollse in bis
expressions of thaukGulue>s. In silence they
now pursued their way, until they reached the
principal entrance of the castle The Baroness
raag at the massive portal, and in few sec
onds it was opened by an aged domestic.
Morden, see that yon steed lacks not prop.
er food aud for you, Sir Knight, [ bid you
welcome you need not be apprehens.ve, I an
mistress here, and there is none to thwart me-"
They were now ushered by several domes
ties through suite of rooms, until they came
to one brilliantly Illuminated, and furnished
iu style Of magni6cence suited to the time
the walls were of oak, richly carved ; and the
ceilhg which formed a cupOla, was Of the same
material. Upon marble pedestal stood an
alabaster chandelier, in which were numerous
lights, that gave brilliancy to the whole |
apartment. The Baroness politely motioned |
| her guest to seat and ordered the supper
presently to be ready When the domestics
had quilted the apartment, she arose, and
taking a small silver lamp from a table near
her, size requested the cavalier to follow her. |
9 Sir Knight" continued she, while the |
domesticS are preparing our repast, | viii! show
you where yon may conceal Yourself, and where |
even should your pursuers demand an entrance,
they cannot discover you"
Then turning to her young friend, she said, |
in a tone of assumed gaety " Annette, my
love- take your Tyre, it will while away the
time Till our return - saying this, she Quilted
the room, followed by the strange cavalier
They proceeded through long suite of
| rooms which terminated in a winding gallery
here they paused TO unlock door, which dis |
covered narrow stair case having ascend ed |
several steps they found themselves in a spa
| cious apartment arras. 1t was perfectly square.
The Baroness advanced to one side of the !
room, aud lifting the hanging, gently touched
an unseen spring instantly one of the panels
! disappeared, and displayed room of more
spacious dimensions than the former
Here, then, Sir Knight, exclaimed the |