The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1868-01-04
HOWTHE LADY KEPT
HER VOW.
A Legend Of Lymington.


What can a young lassie. do wi an auld man 7
In spite of this assertion many a
"young lassie" has been content to mar
ry an "auld man," providing always
there has been plenty of tocher on the
right side. So it was that Samuel Bald
win, Knight, and soiournGr in the par
ish of Lymington, did, in tho year OF
1870, find young and beautiful bride.
Tradition passes over the history OF
their marriage in omiRous silence. Suf.
flee it, that when Sir Samuel died, there
was found curious paper, stating it to
be his will and pleasure that his body
should be carried out to Scratchell'S
Bay and there sunk. "ln order," the
document went on to say, that my
wife Joan may not be able to dance on
my grave, which in the bitterness of heI
wrath she has vowed to do"
In obedience to this singular COM
mand the worthy Knights body was
duly weighed aud left to rest under tho
shadow of the Needles; while the young
GtaS TdQT t09r sntEs possession Sas Of ths
the will she produced.
marvelously fair in her weeds; and al
though it is said that it is of no use gild-
ing pure gold, every day experience
proves there are exceptions to the rule;
therefore, fair rs the widow was, the
gliding derived from the funds made
her doubly fair, and brought to her feet
the greedy, the needy, the rich, the
poor. Time went on, and to the disap-
poimtment of the gossiping world, Lady
Joan seemed in no haste to change her
condition, but rather to aim at univer-
sal conquest. The ladies grew not only
scandalOus, but wrathful, for so equally
were Joan's favors distributed that every
man secretly considered himself the
most fortunate; and thus, there being
no rejected suitors, there were ne de-
serters-and the wrathful Indignation
of the neglected sisterhood was the
more excusable. Things went on after
this fashion until hunting meeting
came off. Lyndhurst was full of great
nOblemen. The Lady Joan was the toast
at many a carouse. The hunt lasted fol
several days, and when the festivities
were at their hight an event occurred
that put the place on the QUi rire.
At the close of long, successful day
i'll the forest, stranger rode home al
the widows bridle-hand.
"Some LymingtoB fellow" said the
LondOners.
"Some court roue," said the Lyming
ton folk.
Yet, though unknown to the lady'sjeal
Gus followers, the stranger was evident
ly not only on good, but familiar term:
with the widow; who, in place of re-
naming the night at I.yndhurst, rode
to Lymington, escorted by the new ar
rival. Next day there was rage and
amazement in many heart. Lyming
ton church bells Changed n joyous wed
ding peal. The widow had outwitted
them.
Disappointed suitors let loose theil
tongues, and out of very spite huntet
up the fact that the man who had out
done them all and carried off the prize
was an old lover to whom, before sht
was my lady, Joan Armitags hac
plighted her troth, and who they as
serted had remained in the neighbor
heod disguissd as a forester, nothing
10th to wait for the knights we'll
tochered widow. Nor was this all
darker stories were whispered and a.
last it was even limited that the knight
had met his death unfairly, and tha
the settlement and will by which tht
widow claimed her great wealth wa:
forged by the mysterious lover. Joar
heard of these things, and only laughed
~ married for money once. can mar
ry for love this time" Yet in spite o.
the boasted love, and the constant
presence of the man she had chosen, ;
great change was visible; the brigh
color faded out of her cheeks; life &nt
energy seemed to be fading away. The
bridegroom, too, was changed man
he became silent and morose; scarcel,
ever left his wife's side, and watched
her with a pertinacity which the look
ers on called jealousy. Some said Lady
Joan was conscience smitten; some saiC
her husband ill-treated her; both re
ports were as far from the truth as sucl
generally are. 1t was only to chosel
friend that the unhappy man unbosom
ed himself.
"Night after night" he said, I"
wake and behold her place vacant
Night after night have endeavored Il
remain awake, that / might unrave
the mystery, but in vain; invariabl!
fall asleep, and, when morning come:
Joan is lying by my side, aRd were i
not that her face is pale and haggard
and her feet cut and travel stained,
could believe / had been dreaming.
"Yon have questioned the Lady Joan
of course 7" said his friend.
| "Not o word, Dick" II
"Then why not watch her 7"
"Ay that is it; want you to help me
Do you consent to lay in wait this yer!
night, and we will follow her p
Soft was arranged. Dick Berkly wa
waiting in the street, when, shortly af
ter the church bell tofied twelve, tb,
house door opened, and the Lady Joan
clad only in her white dress, trippet
down the steps. Dick had always beer
| an admirer of the ladies, but he stoot