Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-10-28

AT the Ming : leet, aNu NasipJhta- '~4P'O.
iugly into his face.
The King arose from his chat, his face
expressing the anger 10 which his words
gave evidence.
s.Methinks my court has not yet been
entirely deprived of its fools. Think thou,
man, this to be time when we should
talk on matters of love ? When The ac-
cursed Scots have assembled an army, and
the Earl of Argyle stationed at his head.
Rise upi Thou should rather be at the
head Of bold horsemen, than kneeing here
at the feet Of thy Sovereign
The Knight rises. his face bearing a
mingled expression of anger and despair
Hall to the King, half to himself, he
speaks:
.sBe it as thought. The hand Of her
love has probably long ere this been
pledged to another-one perhaps with
purer and more noble blood Then d.
rectly to the King:
1.-The affairs over which your Majesty
presides, know to be in a deplo.able
condition; and strife, and religious dis
sension, rife but show but by one word
that what ask is not implored ia vain,
and know that you will have made one
firm fiiend, and will have caused two
hearts to beat with a happiness which 1t
is only in your power 10 bestow."
Hope again lit up the coun.enance OF
the Knight. Tut the light disappeared with
the words of the King.
"Bold Knight, the hand for which thou
asketh, can never be thine-and though
she for whom you implore loved you to
distraction, no difference would there be.
Methinks thou art indeed bvld and with
blood little better than a churls, TO ask for
the hand Of Stuart; the noblest line of
English monarchs.n
whether or not aspire to the hand Of
Stuart, your Majesty only knows. But.
with no disrespect to Agnes, methinks
that there is blood in my veins as high as
that which courses through hers; and,
although your favorite Lord of Wentworth
may be of higher rank, and more suitable
to hold the hand for which ask, you will
find that James Brougham, though with
blood little better than a churls, has spirit
enough to resent wrong"
The Knights hasty temper was aroused,
and his eyes shone with fiery brightness
as he repeated these words. The King
made no reply; and the Knight. with
rapid step, left the apartment.
When James Brougham had Withdrawn,
the King PAGES his room with rapid strides.
His ideas, rapid as his PAGES, are expressed
in a soliloquy. of which the import of the
words follow:
Zone enemy, truly, hath been made to-
day-at a time too, when l most have
need for friends. Yes, affairs are such,
that / should not even scorn churl's as
sistance. But could not have done bet
ter than have done with this bold Knight
My brothers daughter is already pledged
to Wentworth, and the troth must be bro
ken, although / know that by her, there
is felt little love for the noble Lord. Yea,
Wentworth possesses by far too much
power and influence, to be lost, by graft
flying the boyish wishes of this young
knaye. Agnes is now eighteenth will
be hard to check her passion, for that she
loves the fool, doubt not. can see too
well that there is implanted in her the
temper Of Henry-at times docle as kite
ten. but when aroused, fierce rs a wild
cat" At this point the Kings soliloquy
ceased. He stood looking out of win
dow facing the courtyard, his eve being
attracted by objects beyond the gates.
At that distance, distinction is impossible.
AAO k0hS0 uOWh tuC LCiCSCOpC udugluG uD-
on the wall. and levels it at the objects.
Under the power of the lens the objects
form themselves into dis;inguishable bod
les. There is the knight VIII but short
time ago left the Kings apartment, stand
ing beside black steed, prepared from
appearances for a journey; and clothed
in white dress. Agnes, her head uncoy-
cred, and long, brown hair floating in the
wind.
The King has apparently seen the last
ofthe meeting, for he plainly sees through
the glass the knight stoop, kiss Agnes on
the cheek; then, mounting his horse ride
rapidly away, looking back but once,
when he waves his gauntlet in adieu, and
then soon disappears over neighboring
hill. Agnes is soon within the gates and
lost to the view Of the glass. The King
puts the telescope in IFS place, and takes
his chair.
"Now what can be the meaning Of this !
1t doth beat the Saints themselves-but
will have an explanation, and with no
farther delay" Sc saying, he struck a
small silver bell at his hand, and almost
Immediately page entered the room.
Seek my daughter Agnes" (The reader
will remember that Agnes was the Kings
daughter by adoption) said the King, "and
send her to me at once" The page, bow
ing, retired. A short time ai:er, Agnes APP
peared in the apartment of her royal
uncle. Her fair cheeks were panied by
the morning wind. and her nut-blown
hair disheveled by the same agency, de-
tracted nothing from. It's possessors
beauty. Her form. too. was shown TO adj
vantage in the white dress of rich mate
rial. which she wore. Even the King, to
whom female beauty had little attraction,
was struck with his neice's lovely appear
ance. Agnes being seated, the King in a
mild tone speaks.
From the appearance of my daughter,
should judge that she has been enjoying a
mornings walk. She looks more hand
some than usual, but still there is an ap.
pearance Of sadness ON her face. What is
FTP Has anyone crossed yJu? Speak
out, and perhaps it will be in my power TO
comfort my daughter"
At these words, Agnes leaves her seat
and kneeling at the Kings feet, with her
head resting upon his knee, bursts into
tears.
20 father how could You do IL, You
have sent him away; when you Knew |
loved him so-An9 you love, 100, yout