The herald and mail. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1873-188?, 1874-02-27
THE CRUSADERS WEDDING.

Euronwy, one of the fairest of her
sex, was the only child of a Welsh Noble
who dwelt in Lleyn, not far from Aber-
daren. Arthur's home was not far off,
and there were but few dwellings be-
tween the two houses. Both children
being nearly the same age, and of SINH
lar worldly position, the two were play
mates from their earliest years. In due
time they passed from playmates to
lovers; but, before they married, it was
decided that Arthur, who longed for
military glory, should go away to fight
under the banner of the cross for
while. Soon after his departure fierce
war broke ont between the English and
Welsh. A force of English invaders
pushed their way into LleYn, and beset
the home of the beautiful EurOnwy. In
those stormy times the houses of coun-
try gentlemen were meant more for
strOngholds than pleasaunces ; so the
invaders found that, in attacking this
mansion, they had undertaken no easy
task-more especially as the two faml-
lies, in addition to the strength of their
houses, had plenty of sturdy retalners.
The home of Euronwy would probably
have fallen prey to the foe if strong
force had not been sent by Arthdr's
father to assail the enemy IN the rear.
The maneuver succeeded. The English
were beaten off, many of them being
taken and cast into the dungeons pro-
yided for the accommodation of prison
ers of war. Among these captiVes was
a Young English knight named Alfred,
who remained in the custody of Eu-
ronwy's father. One result of this was
that he fell desperately in love with the
young Welsh beauty; and when at last
he was set at liberty, he told her OF his
love, and resolved to make her his wife
or perish in the attempt. Now in those
days there was q class of travelling harp
ers who passed from house to house,
being everywhere gladly received Tor
the sake of their mastery of an instru-
ment of which the Welsh were passion
ately fond. Few guests were more
welcome than the wandering minstrel.
Some time after the parting OF Alfred
and Euronwy, travelling harper came
to the door and played some of those
airs which are never sweeter than when
performed on the instrument for which
they were first composed. Alfred-for
the disguised harper was no other-at
orce became a favored guest. He had
been at the pains a learning to play
the harp for the express purpose OF
carrying off the girl who had so COM
pletely won his heart.
Circumstances favored his plan. Eu-
ronwy was accustomed to go IN the
early twilight to walk to and fro along
the path on which she had parted with
the absent Arthur, and of this habit
Alfred decided to avail himself. He had
i Iok -
of his friends should land at Aberdaron
whenever he sent word to come. The
next step was to frequent this path at
the hour when EurOnwy was to be
found there. Ere long she-unsuspect-
ing evil-began to take more pleasure
in his society than her absent lover
would have liked, if he had been there
to see and often, in the long summer
evenings, would the harper play his in
strnment. while Euronwy sat by listen
ing. As he gained her confidence, by
degrees she told him of Arthur, that he
was away in the crusade, and that at a
| fixed time he would return to claim heI
for his bride. She besought the dis
| ouised knight to await the lovers re-
turn. in order to play his harp at the
wedding. Alfred, asserting, delayed
the arrival OF Ills IIleHOoJ al"
| that they should arrive on the very day
Of ArthHr's return for he Eopel IL
this way to snatch her, as it were, from
the very arms Of her lover, so that by
such an achievement his prowess nigh
! be more conspicuously displayed.
In due time the allies came, bringing
with them the treacherous harperi
horse and armor. Having met Euronwy
as usual, and perceiving that they were
near, he played his harp as a signal TO
their advance, aud then, leaving the
girl for a moment, went aside into
copse, cast off his disguise, and as
sumed his martial attire. Returning
with some armed men, he seized Eu
ronwy, put her on horse, and, accom-
panied by the newcomers, sped ava.
to Aberdaron.