Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1872-10-17

over the adjoining country. The pos
SCISSOR Of this princely residence, a
the time Of which we speak, was 81
Reginald Hamilton, a knight banners
who had won much fame and wealt
in camp and council, and who had, bu
a few months before the time our stor
opens, taken to wife one of the mos
beautiful and wealthy heiresses tina
England could boast The only mem
Der of the family, besides Sir Reginalo
and his lady, who resided in the cast
lie, was Archibald Hamilton, brothe
OF Sir Reginald, and two years hi
junior
Whilst the elder brother had beer
lighting the battle for love and glor,
in camp and field, Archibald had beer
pursuing studies Of very different
kind, and was, at the tine of which W.
write, accounted one Of the most &C
comPIlshed scholars In the Kingdom
LIS 'io''ier Sal'' 'i"t Ills cierNly ac
q"lrelilellVs iiaa earned OH his WIS
'ol 'loV "'liy was ArcAloaId Il SFea'
lmgulSt mathematician, anatomist
geoIogIst' ect, but he also appeared tt
believe IN alchemy, and, upon more
than one occasion, expressed an en-
thuslastlc hope OF beng able, ultimate
Iy, to discover the philosophers stone
Archibald like his BROTHER was OF
gentle disposition and amlable man
herS' he was brave, too; his bravery,
however, never exhibiting Itself IN
angry bursts but In a calm and dIgnl,
llea manner WhIch won nm general
respect. lie was master OF every
weapon, ana was especially adrolt with
the sword
About eleven o'clock in the morn
ing, when our story opens Sir Regin-
aid and his beautiful bride might be
seen walking in the grounds of Castle
Hamilton, some distance from the
building. They were conyersing play
fully on those subjects which always
make their way into the minds of low
ers.
But" the lady Edith said, turning
suddenly to her husband, "you reco!-
lect my sister Eleanor will tie here to-
day, and | am anxious that she and
Archibald should meet. 1t is awk-
ward his going away at this moment"
Nobody could dissuade him, nv
love. Truly his botanical propen>i-
ties are almost as preposterous as they
are ridiculous. But they are so inno-
cent that one cannot object to his in
dulging them. He promi ;ed me, how
ever, to return tomorrow, and will
therefore have full opportunity of en-
joyiug Eleanor's society"
AT this moment the sounds of hors-
es' hoofs ringing on the pavement
struck their ears, and Sir Reginald ex-
claimed:
"By my troth! this must be she.
She is much eaulier than | expected,
and, if my ears deceive me not, attend
ed by a numerous court. Let us pro-
ceed to meet them"
Drawing the Lady Edith's arm with
in his own, lie proceeded in the direc-
ton of the sounds of the approaching
horses, which each moment became
more and more distinct. As Sir Re
pniald and F. lith enaro,d from =
into the main avenue lead
no to the castle thev came unon \
oody of visitors less welcome than
hose they expected to behold. The
newcomers were about thirty in num-
Der, and all armed for strife. About
en wards in advance Of this body rode
our acquaintance. the Border King,
vbo on hoboldiro Sir Rooin.ld and
lis bride reined m his stoed 81 sud
lenlv that tbe animal was forced hack
,lmost unon his launches At