The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1863-06-04
Allan, The Outlaw.
a Legend OfPrudhOe Castle.

most pleasant countenance, except when work
ed up by some inward passion, when a scow
sat on his brow terrible to behold in one 81
Young. He was brave, but treacherous anc
his character as a libertine was so well estab
lished, that the good mothers on the banks O
the TYNE kept their daughters out OF sight
whenever it was known that Odenel Humtra'
Vile was riding abroad with his gay compan'
ions.
His mother, the Lady Isabel had a waiting
maid in the service, named Annie Blckersta1t
Her age at this time might have been about
nineteen. OF humble, but honest parentage
her manners were of superior cast. 10 gen,
tleness and sweetness of character she united
great beauty and modesty. 1t was a delight
to behold her tender figure, beautifully pro-
portioned, her gracefully-shaped head, and au-
burn tresses descending to her neck, her hne
hazel eyes, and to witness the htheness OF hel
movements, as on a morning, when she trip
ped into the castle garden to Gull a nosegay
for her lady, and stopped over the tiower-beds
regarding with tenderness, and something Ink
sorrow, the beautiful victims to her taper nh
gers. j,
And those Of the household whose duty1ed
them to pass the chamber of the Lady Isabel
of an evening, could testify to the clear, silver
voice of Annie Bickerstaff, as she accompani-
ed herself sweetly upon a flute, to please her
mistress, who had taught her to handle the
instrument.
In short, all along the Tyne-side the hum
BILE waiting-maid was known as "Bonnle An
ME" Many a young and rich Northumbrlan
farmer would have shared his fortune with
Bonnie Annie; but, feeling their own inferior
ity in breeding, there were few who had the
courage to make love to her; and, when one
drawer than another ventured to make known
his sentiments, she would dismiss him with
words which, if they dashed ilis hopes, lncreas-
his respect for her.
Annie, however, was neither prudlsh nor
proud she never assumed a position to which
she was not entitled. She loved her humble
countrymen like a true daughter OF the land,
and her kind heart won her friends everywhere,
When a tenant Of the Castle was III trouble,
when a widow had lost a COW, her sole sup
port, or when a servant was found at fault, II
was Annie who interceded Ill their favor with
the Lady Isabel, who had the management OF
the Castle during the absence OF her lord at
the wars. Annie, who had rejected more than
one eligible sutton, had nevertheless, a heart
to love nay, she did love one who was wor-
thy of her love, and by whom she was warm
ly loved Ill return.
There was one mar who in vain endeavor-
ed to ens1are the heart OF Annie Bickerstatf,
but not from honorable motives and that
was Odenel IIumfraville. He waylaid her III
her walks he sought to detain her on every
occasion, and to lead her into conversation,
but, beyond the respect which she OWED to
the son of her mistress, her replies to the so
licitations of the libertine gave INN no en-
couragement and, when he spoke OF lowest
fastened, with u courtesy, from his presence.
Once, when he would detai1, her at a bushy
1angle of the garden, and, displaying a jewel,
would have snatched a favor from her lips, she
cast him aside with a scorn she could not dis
guisc, and hastily entered the Castle.
The self love Of Humfraville was deeply
1wounded. What inward curses he uttered
himself only knew, but he vowed tobe reveng-
ed while the insult, as he considered it, he
had received from the pretty waiting-maid
served but to whet his appetite to have her in
his possession. He resolved to confer with
Meg Harraden, cook-wench to s~ervitors OF
Prudhoe. a woman of coarse nature, and one
who had often made herself serviceable to him
in his vile intrigues.
AS he was proceeding from the garden to
the out-buiIding where Meg superintendent
the roasting and boiling for a large establish
ment of servants, a little, sharp, red-haired
boy entered the garden by a side-door, and
gazed tinlidly around him, as If he had lost
the way. Soon as he saw Odenel approaching
him with rapid strides, he would have fled as
one attempting a petty larceny; but there
was some thing in the aspect Of the agitatcd
young man which riveted him to the spot
The latter was W of the lads presence
until he came up to him.. Pausing, and com
posing his features, he looked down, with some
thing like a smile, on the trembling urchin
who stood before him.
What brings you here, my wee man? 10
steal apples, ehT ..f
ma, ma, | never steal, " replied the boy, in
broad Northumbrian, who had now recovered
himself.
"What brings you in the garden, then p
repeated Odenel.
1.sWeel, Just to look at the flowers" returned
the boy, doubtfully.
Come, come, was that all p demanded the
young man, somewhat sharply, who suspected
his object was otherwise than to look at the
flowers.
sWeel-" stammered the boy.
"Weel p
'sWecl, l wus wishin' to see Bonnie Annie,
and thocht [ could see her here awa'."
"And what would you with Bonnie Annie
what nave you to say to her 2 asked Oden-
ell, in a mild aud winning way thinking there
was om secret to be got from the lad.
Il Gamma tell you, indeed; | must speak to
herself
Nov, tell me-"
.Na, | Wilma" and this was spoken very
decidedly.
Odenel, amused with the boys obstinacy,
and yet hoping to gain his purpose, drew from
his pocket a bright gold piece, and holding it
up to the lad, said:
sThis shall be yours if you'll tell me what
YOU have to say to Bonnie Annie"
Il Wilma hae your s%iller, an l Wilma tell
you :" said the brave boy.
A sudden idea occurred to Odenel, in pres
ence of the obstinate visitor.
''Would you like to see Bonnie Annie, then,
if l can send her to you p
"Ay, would l." cried the boy, with hope
sparkling in his elfn eyes.
sit you down in this seat, then, and wait
until she arrives. And here" he continued,
plucking some apples from a neighboring tree
There are SOME rosy-cheeked apples for you
to MUNICH. You know Bonnie Bonnie y
'.\a, | dinna ken her but | ken she is bon
ME. l shall ken her by her cen and hair"
Rest there, then, and do not stir, in case
the great lady of the castle sees you"
The boy promised obedience.
: Odenel hastcned to have a conference with
t Meg Harraden, and certain plans were quick
ly formed, Meg entering heartily into the
young mans scheme, the more when she had
touched the piece of gold which the red-haired
lad had refused.
The boy had waited over half an hour, when
= q Po,,.aia aptaraI tho orar1on anH opyrooobP6
him. She was tall, gaunt, coarse and forbid
ding, but dressed in robes of the richest, with
rings upon her fingers, and various ornaments
. about her dress. The boy was frightened,
! rather, when asked in a husky voice, in his
own DatOS:
And sac, my wee Gallant, We want to speak