The independent. [volume] (Oskaloosa, Kan.) 1860-1874, 1865-07-01
for the giHle folks.
THE LADY MILDRED.
4 LEGEND OF ROBIN HOOD.
BY GRACE GREENWOOD.

BY GRACE GREENWOOD.
The Abbot suddenly pretended
friendliness,and proposed to his neph-
CIV 10 go TO Nottingham Castle, with
fine escort and outfit, and Join
Prince Johns guard. Noble hearts
are the last to suspect treachery.-
Robert believed his uncle, went to
court, and as he bore a sealed letter
from the Abbot, was graciou>ly re-
ceived by the Prince. Lady Mildred
grieved at his going, and being very
modest, feared he would forget her
when he saw the gay and grand la
dies Of the court. And her fears
seemed well foanded, for weeks and
months passed without bringing her
one word from Robert; then came
a short. cold letter, telling her she
must give up all thought OF him as
her husband for he was about to mar
ry one Of Queen Elinor's danes of
honor. Poor Mildred at first cried
day and night; then she grew rest
less, and walked about as il she were
in a dream, and didn't see any body
or any thing; then she became calm
and naughty, and smiled sometimes,
chill sort of smile, and spoke in a
strange, hard tone, as though all the
sweetness had been drained from her
voice in tears. Then the Abbot and
the Prioress began to urge her tomar-
ry Sir Roger, of Doncaster; and as
she didn't care what became of her
now, she consented.
Earl Roberts faithful friend, Little
John, having heard that this we'd
ding was to be, went in great haste
to Nottingham, to Earl Robert, who
was true to his love,and had written
TO her many letters, which the Pri-
Dress had pocketed, and which the
Abbot had used in initiating the hand
writing when he forged the one that
did the mischief at last. .
- When Robert heard the news, he
set off at once for Yorkshire, never
waiting for the Princes leave. He
rode day and night, but he reached
Kirkless Nunnery an hour too late.
The wedding was ovcr, land Mildred,
his dear 'little wifs,' was lost to him
forever.
When Lady Doncaster heard that
her cousin Robert had been constant
and that in his anger and despair he
had taken to the forests and become
an outlaw: when she found her hus.
band TO be cowardly. dishonorable
man, she prayed that she might die.
But after awhile God consoled Ter
with the gifi of noble lii,la hoy.
who from the first was like her, and
unlike his father. IN loving and car
ing Fl her son, Lady Mildred found
her only happiness. Sir Roger was
proud Of his handsome heir, but ney-
or was fond of him; for when he said
or did mean thing, he could moi
bear the still scorn in the child's eyes
and the disdainful culver Of his lip.
The castle Of Sir Roger was near
BarnesdaIe, one of Robin Hoods
forests; and when the freebooting
chief was there, Sir Roger never
dared to journey or hunt with ever
so large a train, without his wife
10 protect him. He kept his son al
SO very close, for he suspected him
of having an admiration for the char
acter, if not taste for the life OF
Robin Hood. ssh
But one morning, when Hurberl
was about twelve years old, he man.
aged to escape from the castle. and
stole off into the greenwood. That
day and night passed. yet he did not
return. Sir Roger, after making all
:he seaches he dared, became con-
WINGED that the lad had fallen into
Robin Hoods hands, and groaned
with the fear that they should new
er see him alive. But Lady Mild
red said calmly, If Hurbert is with
him, Sir Roger, he is safe; Robert
Fitzootb would never harm my
own child
They sent a herald TO Robin
Hoods camp to ransom and bring
back the lad. But the herald re-
turned alone, saying that Hurbert
was at the camp. but Robin Hood
refused to receive ihe ransom. Then
Sir Rogers fright and rage increas-
ed; but Lady Mildred smiled her
sad, quiet smile, and looked on! TO-
ward the forest. Suddenly there
emerged from the wood. Robin Hood
aud his favorite comrades. mouned
on gaiIy caparisoned steeds, and
tollowed nv 6ftv archerS. They