Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1868-10-31
The Queens Love.
by T. CHALMERS HARBAUGH.

Few, if any, readers Of English hisio-
ry, have doubted thai Elizabeth, "the
malden queen" loved the Chivslric Earl
Of Essex. Hers was wild, Infatusted
love, sucn as The GLORIOUS SorceTeFs OF
the Nile" bore for Mark Anthony. She,
queen, upon whose head the crown OF
England sas nobIy, made love to one OF
her couIiiers-a favoriie.
One night Elizabeth eat in her royal
chamber, her head bowed upon the fine
ly carved table, and the folds Of her gor-
geous night drapery hanging loosely a
round her, A light rap startled the
queen from her reverie. She raised her
head, brushed back her silver threaded
hair, and asked who wished admttance
al such an hour.
"Annptte," wa- the reply.
"Ah my chamberm0id !" said thn
queen, as she opened tho door, and
buxoa Lass, with bright eyes, rosy
cheeks and raven tresses, entered and
coursied most gracefully. Thou art
welcome good Annette" said Elizabeth
"but melhinks thou comesl laie."
There is man al the wicket, my Ia
dy," replied the girl.
"Annete. nah -.
"Yes, my lady
"Tis an unreasonable hour for visit,
but did he stale his business :"
He said he wished to sec thee,
queen"
"Knowcsi thou his name, Annette =
and the queen gszed into her moid's face
rather Soarchingly.
"Yes, my mistress il 10 Essox."
Then admit bim al once"
Into the receKiOn room. Hi'tfess =
mo, here"
Annette was dumbfounded. for never
before had a man entered the private
chamber Of her queen.
Elizabeth looked ailhe wondering girl
moment when seeming 10 guess The
cause for her wondermen,, said
Thou need's ct no, wonder, Annette, he
comes on business pertaining TO the king
dom. Admit him."
The maid curisIod and withdrew.
The queen now dressed herself hastily,
and eat down TO await her visitor.
Soon the door was pushed open, and
handsome, gallant Essex entered. lie nP'
preached the queen and gTasped her ez-
tended hands.
Annette now prudendy Withdrew, and
England's mighty sovereign and her lover
were alone.
They talked for long time, and words
which brealhed OF love were spoken. Alb ]!
iule thought Essex then, that the hand
he was covering with kisses would ere
many months sign his death wsrroni
As the tower clock tolled the hour OF
midnight, The couruer rosc 70 dcPar'.
The queen drew costly ring from her
finger, and placed it in his hand, saying {:
"Noble Essex, If troubles Of State cnVeI-
ope thee, return this ring 10 the gIVer' and
thou shalt not be forgotten" ."
The earl agsin raised her hands 10 his
lips and took his departure, Annette aP-
pesrinC to conduct him 10 The sirce'. As
the door cIosod upon E''c1'' stately
form Elizabeth threw herself upoH the
rich comch and sobbsd aloud : "Oh,
wha, love have for thee, noblo Essex,
bDt can never call the mine and while
she yet lay there sobting, the lover earl
was trsvcrsing the moonlil street gazing
upon the ring, the queens lsIi'man.
Reader is il not great 10 be the iavoTiie
Of queen
A different scene vas no, long sf'sr-
ward enacted in the same room. A doz-
en- courlers siooj Ground the came queen
-Essex's lover-ss she eat before table
TO sffix her royal signature TO document
that lay before her Her eyes wandered
uneasiIy oTer il, and her bosom rose snd
fell with emotion. The document before
her was The death Hsrrsnt of Essex. de
had been dra wn into a plot by some no
bles and bic osn rsshooss, and no" lay
in prison. Why die she not sign The
dealh-warIanil
She ;houghl Of the ring she had gwen
Essex, and every moment she expected TO
see The ,oyaI iali.man brought 10 her.
The mobiles grew impatient ana one ass-
ed
why does the queen not sign -
That broke the stiffness, aroused the
queen. and with an unsteady hand she
signed the des!h.wausnl The deed was
done. her lover Dusl die.
After The execution of Essex, the
queen grew PeeVish and relir.ng, and
was oflen heard sobbing in her apart
! meDt'. The missing ring vas a mystery.
She had dispatched trusly person to e1-
anime the body of Essex but the ring
was not found thereon.
Bu! al last it came 10 light. One day q