The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-09-15

would not gladly have seen the crown
upon his youthful head, as recon-.
pense for those long, dreary years OF
imprisonment. II was only in whispers
they dared link his name with that OF
the young Princess Elizabeth.
But that first passion had laid hold of
Courtenay's heart, and in the blissful
consciousness that It wasfully returned,
he was not too careful to conceal it.
Perhaps he alone failed to detect the
queens hopes. The unlovely, dreaded,
elderly Mary was no bride for Edward
courtenay,
When has q true, happy love had pow.
er OF copcealment? At the splendid
entertainments the queen now gave at
court, when she kept the young cousin
ever at her side and leaned fondly on
his arm-who had not noticed that his
eyes ever and only sought the charming
Elizabeth? And upon those enchanted
evenings, when little circle OF chosen
ones gathered around the sovereign, and
Edward Courtenay related the story Of
his sorrows, or sang, to the lutte, airs OF
melting tenderness-then the young
girls golden lashes would sink deeper
and deeper, to keep back the starting
tears. At length, between these two
was spoken that sweetest word OF earth
love: and days passed-days Of be.
wildering happiness, glowing with hope
and golden dreams Of tho future. The
unsuspecting queen conferred upon her
handsome cousin the title OF Count OF
Devonshire, though she sportively gave
him the name OF the White Rose OF
York, and loaded him with fayors.
With careless delight-almost with
the bewilderment OF bird escaped
from It's cage into the light and abso-
lutte freedom-Edward Courtenay hut-
tered around the court, and unsuspic-
iously accepted all these distinctions
from NIary's hand. yainly Elizabeth
warned him. For she yentured to do
II. "She loves me as son." was the
refrain OF all his answers, or as IN
elder brother. Fear nothing, my be.
loved. As soon as the queen has con.
cluded her alliance with this Philip OF
Spain, I will boldly sue her for my
sweet white rose-for my bride |" For
the talk Of the Spanish marriage was
in mems minds also, and they did not
know what to believe.
Ahl he did not dream it was for his
sake Mary delayed her nuptials andput
off this Spanish loverl-that passion
for him filled her whole being-that
she was only waiting for a token Of his
love, to say to him Take 1t from
my hand-this royal crown !"
But the love.token was not given
and, while the queen was vainly hoping
for II, she discovered tho bitter truth
Edward Courtenay had given his heart
to her sister, the young and fair Eliza
beth, and gained her heart in return.
It is said that nothing in the world
works such fearful change in woman
as slighted love; and perhaps the ter
rible cruelties that stained Mary's after.
reign may be traced to this bitterest
sorrow oi her life.
Tho instant banishment of both lovers
followed. Edward Courtenay was sont
to Fotheringay-to the same castle
which, years later, received Elizabeth's
beauhfulrival, the most tcharmingwoman
in the world, Mary Staurt. With heart
full OF anger and sorrow, Edward
Courtenay entered those gloomy walls.
The princess was sent to Hatfield.
But rage against the sister who had
dared win the man she loved. and q fear
lest the excited populace might seek
TO free both her prisoners, soon drove
the queen 10 extreme measures. She
had both Elizabeth and Edward
brought back to London, and consigned
to the Tower. Some sympathizing
friend had the lovers placed in opposite
apartments. Who this friend was they
never knew, but they blessed him every
day and every hour. And thus We re-
turn to the commencement.
The Princess Elizabeth Is sitting at
the window OF her prison. chamber, gaz.
ing out into the darkening night. She
does not notice that the old servant has
brought in light-that the waiting
woman, in her wonted solemn way, has
arranged the simple night-lunch, and
silently Withdrawn. Suddenly she trem-
bles, and presses her hand upon her
wild.beating heart. Outside, close TO
the shutter, white something fiutters
up and down. something she has anx.
iously awaited-a little sheet Of paper
suspended by fine cord. One OF the
tiny, round panes open-a small, white
hand slips out, and hastily draws in the
nreoionR treasure. In n twinklinR IL is
loosed from the cord, and the one which
had been concealed in the folds Of the
maiden's dress, is attached. Forth 1t
flutters, little white doye-out into
the air. Now, for few moments, the
parted lovers are enviably happy as
they read those glowing words-such
words as only impassioned love can
write. ..f. .WI.
Elizabeth wrote only in verse to her
lover, and between the leaves Of her
learned books they lay like tho fresh,
blooming flowers but the young lovers
were soon deprived Of even this happi-
ness. The promptings Of her own heart,
and the advice OF those around her, in
cited the queen TO new cruelty. Eliza.
beth was sent TO Woodstock and Edward
Courtenay was banished from the co1n.
try. It Is said that the queen secretly
gave her handsome cousin his choice
between an inhospitable foreign land
and the royal throne but that he, true
to the one love Of his heart, chose ban.
ishment g.' ~.
He sent back Elitabeth's poems with
tendereSt entreaties that II the time
ever came when, through the aid Of
their true adherents, they could triumph
over tho common enemy, they should
be returned TO him through q conhden.
All ,,,s.a,,s,ny xvithnfk n nRord-aHilank