Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1870-07-13
THE LAST WHITE ROSE.

Bullimm Tower, prisoner tossed fe-
verishly on his low pallet Grief and
sickness had laid their wasting hands
upon him, yet they could not quite
quench tho fire of noble eye, nor
disguise the symmetry of a princely
form. For c.even years Edward
Courtney. "1hc Last White Rose" as
he was called, here had languished.
Suddenly the prisoner raised his
head The noise of chains and bolts
clanked heavily through the vault,
and IN a moment the iailor stood be-
fore him. With a surly sort of q
growl he placed the crust, which was
to form the captiye's meal, beside
him.
Good Erwin, ] am i'll at case to-
day" said Courtney; "could not thy
charity procure me morsel of meat p
'Nay, master" said the man "such
comforts, belize, come not within
prison fare-at least, not here"
"Wouldst thou dress il for me, were
TO procure itl" asked the sufferer
"Thou procure itw A brutal laugh,
which ended in low chuckle, was
his only answer.
A moment more, and the gigantic
form was withdrawn, and Courtney
with a sigh, fell back upon his rude
couch, Presently CLEAN Of light
shonc through chink in the wall, a
soft purring followed, and a cat rub
bed the hand Of the prisoner
"Ah my faithful friend" said the
carl, "thou, at least, wouldst sympa-
thse, ard thou mightest"
His soliloquy was interrupted by
the booming of cannon and the ring
ing of distant bells. A moment more
and the door of the cell was flung
open, and he was desired to come
forth.
Surrounded by the noblest peers of
her realm, among whom Northumber-
land and Norfolk were distinguished
as occupying the place of honor on
her right hand, and followed by ladies
and knights blazing in jewels, Mary
Tudor entered the capital Of her
realm. Her pale, thin face claimed
all the beauty it ever knew, and her
tall, dignifed form was habited in
robe of dark velvet, bound at the
throat and waist with pearls. A
barb, as il was termed, studded with
pearls, shaded her face, and from it,
fastened by a brooch Of gems, flowed
heavy veil of twisted silk and gold
Her melancholy eyes wandered
over the thousands crowding TO do
her homage, and a sad smile parted
her lips, occasionally, as she spoke
few words to the carl, on her right.
On her left rode Elizabeth in all the
pride Of youthful beauty; her golden
hair, escaping the band which fasten.
cd it, flowed over her qucenly neck,
and the azure robe, which added grace
to her noble form, contrasting with
the sombre attire of the queen.
Loudly rang the bells of St. Giles
and Westminster, answered by all
within the city, as the messenger
landing at Queens Star, moved to.
ward the tower The guns doomed
ceaselcssly, and deafening shouts
along the crowded bridge announced
the presence of the king.
Suddenly Mary checked her rein,
and the blood rushed to her calm, sad
face Ere Northumberland could Of.
fer bis aid she bad leaped from her
horse and with hysterical sob threw
herself into the arms Of an aged wo-
man who knelt beside the gateway Of
the lower.
Her robes Of deepest mourning and
the gray locks which escaped from
the dose drawn hood, could not quite
conceal a face beautiful amid the rava.
yes IF time and grief Raising the
bowed form, Mary said
"Aour grace has suffered much. -
win the Duchess Of Somerset forgive
my fihcr's house, in person. her many
wrofss?'
St1s were the only answer, while
the Duchess kissed the white icwelled
han that pressed her own.
",nd thou, too, Cousin Courtney"
said the Queen, "hast much TO forget
-to forgive !"
Sic held out her hand to the young
nobe who bowed till his pale fore
heal touched the hem Of her robe
Tears filled the eyes of Mary, as she
bchid his attenuatod form. She
bowed her proud head.
81 too, have been a sufferer" she
said "Thy sister in afliction, Court
ney receive a sisters kiss These
are my prisoners" she said, holding
the phr by tho hand sufferers for
the faith, they shall now rule our
realm Noblcs, give place "
Tic gorgeous train bore back,
while Edward Courtney, no longer in
prison guise, guided the Queens
bride; aud in hand and journey,
through her illstared reign, men
crowded round the favoritc to press
heir suit, sure to prosper, il smiled
upon by the Last Rose Of York"