Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-10-28
NO. $50.
Tales and Sketehes.
- -
For the Journal.
AGNES.
AN HISTORICAL ROMANCE IN THREE
CHAPTERS.
By AUTHUR NJ. STACY.
AGNES.
By AUTHUR NJ. STACY.
CHATTER I.

IernapS no English mOnach ever possessed
so regular or SO striking features, and but
for the melancholy expression which at
nearly all times was upon his countenance,
he would have been handsome. His ex-
ample before the court and people was
the very best. He possessed very high
| ly cultivated mind, endowed with wonder
ful talents for reasoning and argument
but Notwithstanding this, by his indecision
wisely as he could talk, and very often al
lowed his mind to be turned BY the coun-
sells of men whose capacities were far in
ferior to his. His temper was exceeding
ly hasty, and, when aroused, he had no
power to control it.
Charles had an only brother, Henry,
who died in the eighteenth year of his
age. The fraternal love which existed be-
| tween these two, could not have been
more strongly felt. Although Charles was
the younger, yet his mind was as mature
as his brothers., and his advice was often
sought for by Henry in cases of doubtful
nature.
Henry had hardly entered his teens, be.
fore he became greatly enamored with an
attendant Of his father, (James ID a
young and handsome maid, whom the
King had taken into service for reason of
her uncommon beauty. In few years
this increasing love caused her marriage
with Henry, in secret to all but his brother
Charles. A child was born, and the moth
er died. Henry, rendered nearly insane
by the death of her he SO fondly loved,
was soon prostrated upon bed Of sick
ness, which illness he knew to be his last
He lived but short time after his sickness
commenced, but before dying, he had re-
ceived 4 promise from his brother Charles,
which he had so urgently exacted, that his
(Henry's) child should be protected afterhe
was gone, and that who its parents had
been should never be known. Charles
willingly grants the dying request, and
Henry expires happy in his brothers arms
When Charles commenced his unfortun-
| ate reign, his neice had entered her teens
Her mild and winning sways won for her
the love of the court; and the affection
which Charles felt for her, was greater
than that which he bore his own children.
She went under the simple name of
Agnes" and her descent was clouded in
mystery.
For the space of about five years King
Charles held sway over his dominion with
little or nothing to harrass him. At the end
of that period, the Scots became dissatisfied
at what they considered unjust dictations
by the King, and drew up covenant,
binding themselves to resist all religious
innovation, and which all persons from
one end of Scotland to the other, were re-
quired to sign. 1t is at about this time,
that the events of our narrative commence.
The reader is conducted into the palace
of the King which bears his name, and
into one OF his Majesty's private apart
ments. 1t is morning. At one end Of the
chamber sitting at table upon which are
a number of letters and documents scat
tered promiscously about, is the King.
Looks Of agitation rest upon his handsome
| countenance, and his detected and weary
appearance ably testify to night spent in
labor. Yes, tho Kings light Illuminated
his apartment when all the others in the
palace had been extinquished, and during
the entire night!he did not even once leave
the table atwhi.h he was busily engaged
in writing. lie has now laid down his pen
ilom very WEAKNESS, and with his hands
shaoing his eyes, is lost in deep reverie.
While thus absorbed in thought, an at
tendant at the chamber door announces,
that ''an interview with his Majesty is de-
sired by Sir James Brougham.''
The King simply motions assent to the
desire, and the attendant soon ushers in
Sir James Brougham, a Knight who GER
tainly held not the Kings favor, and would
probably have received no marks of his
confidence if not for the Knights twin
brother Richard, who was the exact coun-
terpart of James, both in face and form.
Richard was highly regarded by the King.
who even admitted him into knowledge
of many of his Qhe king's) private mat
terS.
A person seeing James Brougham as he
entered the Kings apartment, could not
have been but struck with his handsome
countenance, and tall commanding form.
His long. jet-black hair, fell carelessly up
on his shoulder. His doublet was of pur-
pie cloth. and his short cloak, of brown
velvet, which corresponded with his hose
of similar material. A long sword hung
from his belt. opon the handsome coun-
tenance of the Knight as he entered the
apartment, there shone light which could
only have been produced by all-inspir-
ing hope: his whole demeanor was indi-
King.
The Knight salutes the King with a low
bow, and speaks: tF
"Your Majesty, pray, will excuse the
interruption occasioned by his humble
servants unlocked for call when he states
that he has come upon a matter Of impor-
tance; if not to others, at least to HIM
self" n..s
Here the knight pauses. the King mo-
tions him to proceed.
"Your Highness, presume, is well
aware of the attachment existing between
your adopted daughter, Agnes, and my
self?" At this the Kings brow darkens
the Knight unmindiul goes on:
The first time that my eyes beheid her,
love gained possession of my soul, and
each succeeding year has augmented the
passion, until now appear before you the
humble requester of her hand"
The knight in his enthusiasm, had knelt
lHONTINIrEn ON InIp.rII pAcr 1