The Lincoln County herald., 1870-05-12

word. fell with full force spon his heart I;
she spoke the truth but the struggle
was too great to endure quietly, and he
wept like child.
"Your wisdom is greater than mine,
Barbarss" he cried in . h,asse voice |;
"you are more worthy OF subies than l..
Oh cursed fate thas divides the peasant
from the priuce. Barbara, be ueroiful !"
"I am wercoful, ~ life |" she cried,
her cheeks glowing with passionate love I:
"more mesciful to you than you are to
yourself. Do yon not know that this
resu notation 10 costing me more than my
liteS Go; be happy, be bssve, be good,
be great and sometimes think Of your
Barbara Claxton."
He tarried until his horse chafed with
restlessness, aud his servants became i'm.
patient.
II accspt my destiny" he said, bow
ing his head you have prevailed. I
live no longer for myself, but for my
people. God bless you for ever and ever,
aad when you need q friend come to
Edward"
Her emotion vas equal to bis own, and
she wept unrestrainsdly. She had given
her all up freely.
Time passed. Often news Of the Black
Princes proves fel upon her ears she
never heard his name but it was linked
with bravery or goodness; the nation
revered him.
The old grandsme died. Barb,rs,
whose beauty became each day more
striking, was left alone. She sent Pc
tition to the Prince.
"a cousin of mine, frieudless. foe.
saken, Graves q situation as page, usessen
ger, or in some post near your highness.
In remembrance Of the past, pray, gran,
this request Of your faithful
BARBARA CLAxroN."
Perhaps Edward OWNED her meaning
perhaps il was only older memories that
shook him but he ttemhlcd strangely as
he dictated the following, and signed it
with his own hand
"In memory of the brave Barbara
Claxton, the Prince graBts her requcst
Let her cousin come immediately"
The next day youth Of the most
graceful eymmetsy was ushered In, and
dropped on one knee before the Black
Prince. He looked for an instant on the
beautiful contour Of the noble faee, the
black, clustering carrie, and the gray
lovely, dreamy eyes slsadowed by sheir
heavy black lashes, and sighed.
Rise; the Prince IL thy friend" he
said, in an unsteady voice, - he laid biz
hand on the bowed head.
The touch thrilled him through lie 9
magnetic shock.
~ go to the wars," he continued. ~
mvst leave you behind me-"
mo, no!" cried the youth, impul'
sively. "Lct me 60 with your highness
can endure hardship brave danger-sel'
my life, If need be -onIy let me CO."
How could he resist? The memory
Of the past wss strong within him.
You shall co." he said kindly. "And
I you repent, you shasl reausn here"
Ever after that, the youth was the
brave Princes shadow. He followed him
through danger and through victory
Ever near, ever sad, never smiling. or
she Prince tried 10 turn his thoughts to
somothing chat would cheer him, bU,
everything failed. He grew more deli
cate, more softly beautiful, each day
but it was in vain the Prince urged hin
to return to the palace, and await his
coming home.
"My place is by your side, my Prince,
be vousd return, land my only happines.
is there. Surely you will nos del rive me
Of that ?"
At last. just as the Princes army had
gained great victory over the French
one Of the refreshing foe turned deliber-
ately, took sim at the Prince. and ther
fed. His page saw it. and intesposed
before the Prince, aud seceived the arrow
10 his own breast. He fell backward
into bis masters arms, looked into hi.
eyes with Q smlle, a. the life blooc
streamed down his breast, aad murmured
III die happy! Oh, nv beloved, re.
member that Basbara Claxton has givel
her life foe thee y
"Barbara, ny Barbara !" he cried
holding her in close embrace "woul,
l had died for thee p
The weary eyelids closed there was
faint Auttcsipg of her breath. q smile
which remaiaed after death, and she va
dead. 1he Prince bAshed her face il
tears, and bis attendants said, "See how
strong is bis affection for that youth p
lie returned to England, but bis healtl
began perceptibly to fail; the same or
row which pierced poor, faithful Barbar'
Claxton's heart had rea6hsd his own, in
different way. He sauk, declined. fade'
away, and died on the 9th Of June, 1876
The nation was 10 mourning for the goo,
Prince, for sll loved him FOR his unsnlliet
purity, and England missed having on
Of the best aud purest Of monarchs to si
on her throne.
"WoMAN IN BLAoK."-The natura
curiosity Of the residents Of Bsdalo ha
been lately wrought up to the hiehes