, 1863-12-12

friend in the city-Gif she yet lived But
added their infofniahts, they had heard that,
in the street which they named, the inhabi-
taits died faster than the living could bury
them. When the hahghty Joan became
the acknowledged fayorite Of the King,
she was no longer meet friend or protec-
tor to the gentle Madeline; and the latter
had taken up her residence in the house Of
merchant, who, In his youth, had fought
by her fathers side; and where, If she
enjoyed not the spleidot and the luxuries
Of wealth; neither was she clothed with the
trappings Of shame.
With anxious. steps the hsttOthed bus
band and the brother hastenkd to the dwell:
ing Of the merchant. They reached i.
"Doth Madeline Aubrey reside here 7"
inquired they in the same breath. (" Docs
she live ?-Does she live?" .
"She doth reside here" answered the
citizen, and-the saints bs praised -
good Madeline hath escaped, with my whole
house and / believe it is for her sake,
though she feareth no more the breath Of
the pestilence than though it were health
some as the summer breeze bearing the
fragrance Of the May-thorn. But, belize;
ye would speak with her; gentlemen-ye
may step in, good sirs, and wait till she re.
turn" ~
Her brother started back.
"Gracious Heaven! can my Madeline
be abroad at time like this !" exclaimed
Sir William, "when men trcmble to meet
each other, and the hands Of friends con-
vey contagion! Can ye inform usevgood
man, where We shall find her 7" h
"Nay, that l cannot, "ahsweredhe "for,
as have told ye, sweet Madeline feareth
not the plague, but walketh abroad as though
it existed not; and now, doubtless, she is
soothing the afflicted, or handing cup Of
water to the dying stranger, whom his own
kindred have fed from and forsiken when
the evil came upon him. But, as ye seem
acquainted with her, will not ye tary till
she come 7" -. t
They gazed towards each other with hors
ror and with fear; yet, in the midst Of
their apprehensions and dismay, each ad-
mired the more than courage Of her Of
whom Joan Plantagcnet had said that she
had more wisdom Of head than boldness Of
heart. They entered the house, and they
sat down together in silence. Slowly, wear.
ily the moments passed on, each strength
ening anxiety, each pregnant with agony.
I" She may never return p groaned Sit
William !; t" for che healthy have beeh
smitten down upon the streets and the
wretched hirelings, who make 4 harvest IT.
death, have borne to the same gfafe-i13
dying with the dead |" - j
At length, light footstep was heard ipoA
thestairs. They started to their feet. Tho
door opened, aud Madeline, moro beautiful
than ever they had beheld her, stood before
them. =,
any own l-Amy Madeline !" cried Sir
William, fastening to meet her. F-s
any sisterv' exclaimed her brother. q
Her head rested on the bosoms of those
she loved; and, in the rapture Of the md.
ment, the pestilehce and the desOlatioR that
reigned around were forgotten. AT length
the danger to which she had exposed her.
self recurring to his mind ga aa.
"Let us fee from this horrid chafhel.
house, dearest" said Sir William, at0
where our bridal may not be mingled with
sights Of vo, and where the pestilsnce pur;
sueth not its victims. Come, my own-my
betrothcd-my Madeline2let Us hastd
away"
@wherefore would my William fly p
said she-and smile Of joy and Of CONF.
dence played upon her lips have ye nds
defied death from the sword and the spear;
and braved it as it sped with the swift flying
arrow, and would ye turn and fee from the
pestilence which wOrkdth only what the
sword performs, and what chivalry requires
as sacrifice to the madness Of woman'i
folly But whittier would ye fee to escape
III Be it south or north, il is there; and
east or west, it. is there also. If 70 fed
from the pcstilence, could ye Nee also froih
the eve Of Him who sends itf'
Again they urged her To leave the, city !
and again she endeavorcd to smile; but L
died languidly on her lip--thc rose on hef
cheek vanished, and her mild eyes in a mo:
ment became dim. She sank her head
upon the bosom of her lover, and her hand
rested on the shoulder Of her brother, The
contagion had entered her heart. A dark:
enihg spot gathered upon her fair cheek
il was the shadow Of the finger Of death:
the seal of eternity -
"My Madeline! cried Sir William;
" "mercifal Heaveni spare her! spare hsf p
"Oh, my sister p exclaimed her brother,
shave hastehed to my native land, but 70
behold thee die 7"
She feebly pressed their hands in hers
q Leave me leave me, loved ones my
William !-iny brother !-Aee from, met
there, is death in the touch Of your Made;
line We shall meet again"
The plague-spot darkened on her check ;
and, in few hours, Madeline Aubrey WIS
numbered with its victims.
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