Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1870-08-16
MISCELLANEOUS.
The Last White Rose.

In the lowest dungeon under the Ballum
Tower, prisoner tossed tevcrishly on.his low
pallet. Grief and sickness had laid their
wasting hands upon him, yet they could not
quite quench the fire of a noble eye, nor dis
guise the symmetry of princely form. For
eleven years Edward Courtney, "The Last
White Rose," as he was called, here had Lam
guished.
Suddenly the prisoner raised his head
The noise of chains and bolts clanked heavily
through the vault, and in moment the jailor
stood before him. With surly sort of a
growl he placed the crust, which was to form
the captive's meal, beside him.
Good Erwin, am i'll at ease to-day" said
Courtney; "could not thy charity procure me
a morsel of meat?"
"Nay, MASTER" said the man "such COM
forts, belize, como not within prison fare-at
least not here"
"Wouldst thou dress it for me, were to
procure it Z" asked the sufferer
"Thou procure it~ 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was withdrawn, and Courtney with a sigh,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. shone through chink in the
wall, soft purring followed, and cat rubbed
the hand of the prisoner.
'Ah, my faithful friend" said the Earl,
''thou, at least, wouldst sympathise, and thou
mightest"
His soliloquy was interrupted by the boom
ing of cannon and the ringing 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 noblcst peers of her
realm, among whom Northumberland and
Norfolk were distinguished as occupying the
place of honor on her right hand, and fol-
lowed by ladies and knights blazing in jewels,
Mary Tudor entered the capital of her realm.
Her pale, thin face calmcd all the beauty it
ever knew, and her tall digniied form was
habited in robe of dark velvet, bound at the
throat and waist with pearls. a barb, as it
was termed, studded with pearls, shaded her
face, and from it, fastened by brooch of gems,
flowed heavy veil of twisted silk and gold.
Her melancholy eyes wandered over the
thousands crowding to do her homage, and
sad smile parted her lips, occasionally, as she
spoke few words to the earl on her right.
On her left rode Elizabeth in all the pride Of
youthful beauty her golden hair, escaping
the band which fastened it, flowed over her
queenly 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 toward the tower. The guns doomed
ceaselessly, 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 offer his aid she had
leaped from her horse with hysterical sob
threw herself into the arms of an aged woman
who knelt beside the gateway of the tower.
Her robes of deepest mourning and the
gray locks which escaped from the close drawn
hood, could not quite conceal face beautiful
amid the ravages of time and grief Raising
the bowed form, Mary said:
'&Y our grace has suffered much" Will
the Duchess of Somerset forgive my fathers
house, in person. her many wrongs 2"
Sobs were the only answer, while the
Duchess kissed the white jewelled hand that
pressed her own.
"And thou, too, Cousin Courtney" said the
Queen, hast much to forget-to forgive ~
She held out her hand to the young noble,
who bowed till his pale forehead touched the
hem of her robe. Tears filed the eyes of
Mary, as she beheld his attenuated FORM
She bowed her proud head.
81 too, have been a sufferer" she said
THY sister in affliction, Courtney; receive a
sisters kiss. These are my prisoners" she
said, holding the pair by the hand; sufferers
for the faith, they shall now rule our realm
Mobiles give place! :"
The gorgeous train bore back, while Edward
Courtney, no longer in prison guise, guided
the Queens bride and in hand and journey,
through her ill-starred reign, men crowded
round the favorite to press their suit, sure to
prosper, if smiled upon by the "Last Rose of
! York"