The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1874-07-26
OUR LADY'S KNIGHT
From the Catholic Record.
tConcluaed.)


tian's words Many hours after tho sun had
set in the golden west, she would watch the
blue sky where the pale moon CLEANED and
the stars burned. She wondered what was on
the other side, who was the beautiful Qdeen
the captive loved so well; why, rs his emblem'
he had chosen n stainless lily. Rapid and
wondering were the eager thoughts that
rushed through her mind; a strange, new
longing, that she could not understand, filled
her heart. She said to herself, over and over
again, that she would give everything she had
in the world to and speak to that wondrous
lady. AS the captive worked amongst the
bright flowers, she listened more eagerly than
ever to the clear musical voice that seemed to
rise to the very heavens, utteIing SO often the
name she had grown to love.
No news came of the ransom; the Saracen
chief never spoke of gratitude towards the
captive, but the severity of his Imprisonment
was relaxed. Occasionally, too, he found in
his cell dish of Ipe fruit and a flask of rare
wine. He knew they had been sent there by
the Saracen's daughter.
One day, as he was busy at work among the
roses, he heard something that resembled o
moan Going in the direction of the sound,
behind large heap of stones which were
being used for the erection of q new fountain
he found O man. wearing the captives dress,
lying white and senseess upon the ground.
Bertrand's heart sickened as he noted the
heavy iron around the prisoners ankles, and
the chains upon his wrists. He raised the
wearied head and pillowod it upon his arm,
while tears, of which the soldier was not
ashamed, fell upon the white, cold face. Was
this the end Of high hopes and military glory,
this long captivity, this lingering DEATH
The face upon which he gazed was "A noble
one. although the deep lines. upon it told of
ruined hope and sick despair. Slowly the
dark eyes opened and the white lips muir
INJURED, rs though they would fam utter some
word.
You are very ILL.," said Bertrand gently,
and in his own tongue, what can do for
your
Nothing" replied the sick man, in the
welcome Saxon speech, "nothing; lay me down
and let me die"
"You are my cenntryman," said the young
knight, l am called Bertrand Talbot, of the
Helde. 1 have been nearly three years here in
prison. Who are your
a." he replied, have almost forgotten my
own name, it is 80 long since have heard it.
I come from Kent and used to be called HUI
bert Dacre. 1t is fifteen long years since fell
into the hands of this Saracen chief"
Have you hopes of ransom y asked Ber-
trand.
"Alas, l know not. left a wife aud three
fair children behind me, and l came to the
Holy Land. I expended a small fortune In
equipping myself and ten followers for the
wars. left my wife and children q goodly
estate, but do not see how they could raise
half the sum this crHel extortoner demands
Alb, God" continued the captive, " what
cruelties, what indignities have they not
heaped upon me since all hope of the money
failedl have been forced to the hardest
labor, deprived almost of food, driven with
violence to work when my strength failed.
Now the time has come when l can stand no
longer; lay me down, my brother, and let me
die. l dreaded death, but thank God the
time has come at last. am so weary"
Our Lady's knight laid the suffering captive
down upon the ground. lie went back to his
cell, where the day before dish of ripe rare
fIRit had been left he fetched it, and poured
the fresh cool juice between the sick mans lips.
1t refreshed him, and then Bertrand helped
him to his cell. When the captive prayed one
of the great officers of the chiefs household to
ODJhln PERMISSION from ms lorQ that no might
share his cell with his countryman, the chief
smiled contemptuously and gave consent.
What had seemed to him boon not worth
granting, was like new life TO Hubert Dacre.
In spite of himself, tears would rain down
Bertraud's cheeks, when in his nightly dreams
tho WORKOUT captive would murmur the names
of his wife and children, farcying himself
once more at home.
My home was SO happy" he would say to
tho young knight, we dwelt in quiet home
stead near the sea. In my dreams l behold
again the walls of my house covered with wild
roses and climbing flowers; l see the green
meadows, the dark woods the golden corn
folds, and the orchard where my children
loved to play. In the morning the sun used to
wake me, shining in my room; when opened
my window, the perfume of the hawthorn and
woodbine seemed like message from heaven
1 loved my wife so dearly, and my children
were the best part of life. left them" he
continued, the old martial fire returning to his
eve" left Them Win he Cume from, Z ba