Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1866-02-10

ALLAN THE; OUTLAW.
ALegend Of PrudhOe Castle.

Odanel, a youth OF flne figure, tail.
handsome, and of most pleasant coun-
tenanee, except when worked by some
inward passion, when a sc0wl sat on his
brow, terrible to behold in one sc
young. He was brave, but treacher-
Gus; and his character as hbertine was
so well established, that the good moth
ers on the banks of the Tyne, kept theiI
daughters out of sight whenever it was
known that Odenel Humfraville was
riding abroad with his gay companions.
His Mother, the Lady Isabel, had a
waiting maid in her service, named
Annie Bickerstaff. Her age at this
time might have been about nineteen.
OF humble, but honest parentage, her
manners were of a superior cast. To
gentleness and sweetness of character,
she united great beauty and modesty,
1t was a delight to behold her tender
figure, beautifully proportional, her
gracefully shaped head, and auburn
tresses descending to her neck, her
hazel eyes, and to witness the litheness
of her movements, as Oh a morning,
when she tripped into the castle gar
den to Gull nosegay for her lady, and
stopped over the flOwer-beds, regarding
with tenderness, and something like
sorrow, the beautiful victims to heI
taper fingers.
And those of the household whose duty
led them to pass the chamber of the
Lady Isabel of an evening could testify
to the clear, silver voice of Annie Bick-
erstaff, as she accompanied herself
sweetly upOn lutte, to please her mis-
tress, who had taught her to handle the
instrument.
In short, all along the Tyne side the
humble waiting maid was known as
Bonnie Annie" Many a young and
rich Northumbriap farmer would share
his fortune with Bonnie Anuie; but,
feeling their own inferiority in breed
ing, there were few who had the courage
tOmake 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 his
hopes, increased his respect for her.
Annie, however, was neither prudish
nor proud; she never assumed posi-
ton to which she was rot entitled. She
loved her humble countrymen like true
daughter of the land, and her kind heart
won her friends everywhere. When a
tenant of the castle was in trouble, when
widow had lost a COW, her sole sup
port, or when a servant was at fault, it
was Annie who interceded in their favor
with she Lady Isabel, who had the man
agement of the castle during the alb
seRce of her lord at the wars. Annie,
Who had rejected more thon one eligible
suitOr, had, nevertheless, a heart to
love; nav, she did love one who was
worthy of her love, AMI by whom she
was warmly loved in return.
There was one man vino in vain en-
5eayored to ensnare the heart of Annie
Biekerstaff, but not from honorable
motive; and that was Odenel Humfra-
vile. He waylaid her in her walks;
sought to detain her II every occasion,
and to lead her into conversation; bat,
beyond the respect which she owed to
the son of her mistress, her replies to
the solicitations of the hbertine gave
him no encouragement; and when he
spoke of love. she fastened, with a
courtesy, from his presence. Once,
when he would detain her at bushy
angle of the garden, and displaying a
jewel, would have snatched favor from
her lips, she cast him aside with a scOrn
she could not disguise, and hastily en-
tered the castle.
The self-love of Humfraville was
deeply wounded. What inward curses
he uttered, himself only knew, but he
vowed to be revenged; while the insult,
as he considered it, he had received
from the pretty waiting maid, served
but to whet mis- appetite to have her in
his possession. He resolved to confer
9lth Meg Harraden, COOK -Yench to the
seryitOrs of PrudhOe, a woman of coarse
nature, and one who had often made
herself seryicable to him IN his willy in-
trigues.
IA he was proceeding from the garden
to the Outhuilding VIII re Meg superin-
tended the roasting and boiling Tor a
large establishment of servants, a little,
sharp, red-haired boy entered the gar
den by side door, and gazed timidly
around him, as If he had lost his way.
Soon as he saw Odenelapproaching him
with rapid strides, he would have fled as
one attempting petty larceny; but
there was something in the aspect of
the agitated young man which riveted
aim TO the spot The latter was un-
sware of the lads presence until he
Game up to him. Pausing and COM
posing his features he looked down.,
with something like a smile, ON the
trembling urohin who stood before him.
''What brings you here, my wee man.
To steal apples, eh?''
''Na, ma, L never steal, replied the
boy in broad NOrthumbrian, who had
now recovered himself.
''What brings you into the garden,
them? repeated Odenei.
''Weel. Just to look at flowers" re-
turned the boy, dOubtfully.
Come, come, was that all?n demand
ed the young man, somewhat sharply,
Who suspected his object was otherwise
than to look at the flowers.
'.Weel-" stammered the boy.
'sWell?''
'Weel Twas wishin' to see Bonnie
Annie, and thought I could see her ava. !"
"And what would you with Bonnie
Annie?-what have You to say to her?"
asked Odenel, in mild and winning
way, thinking there was some secret to
be got from the lad. :. $500.
Gamma tell you, indeed; must
spake to hersel," 81 q 9 .ss.r.s.s Z,
snow tell me?"
'sNa, wiuna?" and this was spoken
VERY daoi1a1lv