Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1863-02-12

before her. Alice remained rooted to her
seat and trembled as she gazed on the wild
and dazzling lustre of those dark eyes, though
subdued by the long fringed lashes. Raven
tresses fell in disorder over her neck and Dress
and the back of the seat against which she
leant, almost blending with the Saxon locks
of the alarmed bride. Amongst the luxuriant
tresses glittered plate of gold engraved with
a verse from the Koran, and endowed, accord
ing to her creed, with taIismanic virtues.
Alices heart whispered to her that ia this
resplendent appartion she beheld the Eastern
love of her welded lord But if so, what
brought her here And she glanced tremb
lingly, first at the rich poniard which cleaned
in her girdle, and then at the fiery passion
blazing in those beautiful eyes.
Alice'S agitated attempt at escape was frus-
trated by touch from the charming yet un-
welcome intruder, and she sank back motion.
less, as if facinated by some invisible attrac-
ton.
Bride of LEspec," exclaimed the lady, in
a voice musical as the nightngales of her
own East, wilt thou refuse the rites of hos
pitaltty to a stranger on thy nuptial day 2"
Without waiting for a reply, the stranger
continued, Thou art fair-fair as the periS
of my native land Yet ilatter not thyseif
that thou ever canst possess the love OF EuS.
tace LEspec"
At this confirmation Of her worst appre-
hensions the unfortunate bride gazed in the
face Of the bright, yet terrible being before
her, with look SO piteous, SO helpless, that a
tear drop gliStened on the cheek Of I=nda,
for she it was ia spite OF all her efforts to
repress it.
:" l am more to be pitjcd than thou art,"
exclaimed belinda in a suodued tone yet
however dreadful the task, | were unworthy
the race from which ! sprang did shrink
from lis performance For you there remains
the consolation of friends or perhaps" she
continued sarcasticallv, " another lord"
Goaded at length to the utmost verge Of en-
du"ance, Alice was about to call for assistance.
1t is useless" said IaIinda, who observed
her intention. Your attendants cannot en-
ter here, thanks to the vigilance Of yong lords
Arab followers, who know no law save my
will. Listen, then, to o tale which, however
painful, is necessary as a justification 20 future
ages, for a deed Of retrbuti0n demanded at M
hands.
How or where | first met the youthful
Lord OF RjevauIx, it is not ueedful here to
tell. Suffice it that we met and loved-that
to prove his love he offered to ren0ance his
name, his conutry and bis region-so over
whelming and aiswaying was his passion. !
knew he was sincere He concealed nothing
from me. OF you ne always spoke as his afli,
auced bride, and with y brothers affection. |
felt not one pang Of jealousy, for | also felt
that in his love could have no rival.
had twin brother. Deprived of ia
ther while we were infants, We grew up togeth-
er under our mothers care contrary TO the
customs of our country One thought, one
feeling animated US We were united by a
mysterious link in childhood he was at once
my playfe'low and protector the fairest flow.
ers, the ripest rnits were all for his pretty Ga
zelle, as he fondIy called me- One day ny
brother left me to repair to the Emperor's
camp.
On the evening Of that day, your husband,
L'Espec, and | sat in the ruins of the Temple
of Baalbec-that gigantic fame erected 10y the
demon slaves 0, the great Solomon. The air
was rcdoent with the perfume of the roses
which clustered round the fallen columns. The
moon was high in the heavens. 1t was lovers
own hour, and we were happy. Our bliss was
shortIivcd.
A slave, with dusty and bloodstained vest
pale face and agitated eye,e euddenly approach
ed and suddenly, prosrating himself at my
feet, placed sealed package in my band.
BY the pale cold light of the moon, I
could easily decipher the characters since gra-
ven in fire on my brain. They informed me
that my brother, my Iem, my peerless prince
the last OF his ilustrious, had been slain by an
infidel-a cursed giaour, an English hey, styl
ed Eustace L'Espec And now, lady, you
may guess the rest of my tale. Ny brother
by my lover it became my duty as
it Is my destiny, to be the aVenger of my bro
ther. Therefore | am here Therefore [ sur
rounded him with the slaves of my will"
Before the bride, who was so completely
petrfed with horror and alright, could recov-
er her powers of action or Of speech, the hea-
w tread in the adjoining chamber proclaimed
the approach of the bridegroom.
Another moment and he was in the nuptial
chamber, and his first glance fell upon the face
Of the one never forgotten belng-hls own
bright, peerless Eastern star.
In an instant he was at her feet, and total
y regardless of the presence of his astounded
bride, covered her hands and even the hem Of
ler robe with kisses
" belinda My worshipped ! Ny adored
one ! we never part again !"
The proud Eastern beauty was overcome by
lis tempest Of passion She burst into tears,
aud throwing herself into bis arms, returned
1is ardent embrace, and wept uncontrolled on
his bosom. But speedily she disengaged her
elf
" Lord of Rievaulx," ;" she at length exclaim-
ID, " we meet once more and for the last
line !"
belinda /" was the only agonized reply
hat burst from his lips
" Interrupt me not Y said the lady 1 have
4 fearful duty to fulfill"
Mercy mercy, belinda |" exclaimed the
tortured lover
Am not merciful," she replied, " to my