The herald and mail. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1873-188?, 1875-10-08
ifIs hnnld fahe
THE FATAL LETTER,

make the noble Percy jealous, surely that
were to put his love to the quickest test.
How should she know that the time
was i'll chosen? They had not told her
that the foe was almost at the gate Time
out of mind, she had heard of the enemy
who would one day come and challenge
them to the combat. But use is second
nature. She has grown up among alarms
of war and record of knightly deeds.
mo, thou shalt not see it, Cousin Percy.
| tell thee the letter Is not for me alone
to read, and thou mayst not see how or
why tits writ"
There was yes and no in her eve. No
means yes as often as it means no in a
wOman's mouth and eyes. But Lord
Percy was a man Of earnest mind and i'm
pulse. He had no practice in reading
hearts like Lady Katharine's. He
weighed her words, and not her looks; he
had no skill of badinage; his soul was
truth itself; but he should not thus have
played the part of lover with Katharine
To-day, moreover, he was less than ever
in mood for jests and frivolous words
He lOnged for the maiden's love, for gen
tie speech and sympathetic looks She
gave him glances arch and coy; and tests,
and yea and nay; and these Jared upon
Lord Percy's serious knowledge of the
times. But my Lady Katharine seemed
not made for sober joys and deep, heart
plighted trOth. Her young life had taken
the gayest color Of the time, leaving the
sombeT tints to saddcr natures As vet
she had lived in the sun, and knew moth
ing of the sad delights of the shadow.
IF thou art jealous of this poor letter
because thou mayst not see it, then, Lord
Percy, set thee gone. / am used to be
trusted, and | take it i'll of thee to do me
wrong with thy jealous fears"
He had come to say FAREWELL he had
come to kneel at her feet, to take her hand
to ask her when they should be we'd; to
tell her that, when she saw him 90 forth
to meet the foe, she might know he would
he safe To conquer because he wore her
likeness in his heart, and her glove in his
Plumed casqUe. He came to look into
her eyes, and say tender things and sad
lie came to sue for the sOlace of her out
spoken love, to bask in the true woman's
smile, to be assured that he had some one
to fight for, to die for, if need be, and to
carry with him to the field herswcct looks
the memory of her last dear words.
But how should she have known all
this? Why are not men always frank and
true of speech? Why do they not open
their hearts freely, and take the risk of
results? Because they are vain and proud
toolishly susceptible to ridicule. and lack
courage to meet disappointment.
Had Lord Percy told her all, Katha-
rine, startled into naturalness at his earn
est words, had laid her hand into his, and
trusted him with all her true hearts Sc
CrCt.
She chose to make a mystery Of that
foolish letter, albeit twas but a fond
epistle from her brother; but in those
long past days of English history to re-
Cciye a letter was Il great event. More
over Lord Percy remembered a strange
knight riding out across the drawbridgc
three months before, and kissing his
hand To the window of Lady Katharine's
chamber. But what OF that. nv lord ?
True love holds the mistress of its
heart above suspicion. 1t was only now,
in the presence Of that avcrted letter,
that Lord Percy thought of the strange
guest of half an hour, who came to de
liver dispatches to the garrison.
"Thcn It's like you love another" he
said with rueiul voice-''that strange
knight, perchance, and It's he hath sent
my lady the favored letter"
cts ike, if thou shalt think So
like enough, my lord" the maiden an
swered, nothing 10th to fan the flame.
" say not 50; but thou art brave and
wise, and knowest many things"
You answer tauntingIy. mcthinks.
when do but speak from the love | bear
thee, sweet Kate" he said.
" | am no longer sweet Kate to thee
Percy, if thou doubtest me. and can
even remember that strange knight.
whom | never saw, against me"
She looked up with an acted indifcr-
cnce which Lord Percy could not dis
Germ, he was so intent upon her words
and his own desires.
Nay, show me that letter. then, my
cousin, and let me know nv fate mt once.
| pine and chafe against these bars of
doubt, and | have much that | would
say to thee"
:" | tell thee, Percy thou mavst not see
the letter; and if thou wilt make bars to
chate against, thou art thine own
prisoner"
Kate, you trife with me-you have
Il secret
d" | have, my lord; and wouldst thou
knew it, then wouldst thou be sorry for
thy cruel words
Ske was getting angry with herself
and him, and longcd to see him Mt her
feet, that she might show him her
brothers letter, and all be well again.
But Lord Percy had never loved
before, and knew not, nor guessed the
maiden's arts and wiles.
Il would die rather than saw any
cruel words to thee, Kate; but | would
not have tortured thee rs thou hast tor
tured me for all the treasures of
Egypt and Peru. Thou art tickle and
untrue and would take the promises
which | once read i'm thine ewes and i'm
thy choice of companioaship"
Pickle, my lord ,-untruel Are
these the words thou dost select to pelt
thy love withal? Nay, then. the Lady
Katharine has well escaped such mating
rs thou wouldst offer her. Farewell.
Cousin Percy; and when next thou
contest to WOO, bring softer words and
more discerning eyes, and better knowl-
edge of a maiden's heart than thou hast
discovered here to-day
lie went his way. the proud Lord
Percy, and the tender words remained
Unsaid. When he was gone NV lady
sighed and wept, and tore up her brothers
letter into fragments and scattered them
in the air from her window. She
watched them floating on the wind like
summer butterflies.
On the morrow the foe, whose tarlv
operations had made his presence in the
land almost disrcgardcd, showed his
angry front, and summoned the roval
garrison to battle. There was clash of
drums and trUmpcts, and nCighiu~ of
restless stceds. The sun shone out on
glittcring swords, and silken banners.
and men in flashing steel.
Lord Percy sailed forth with his mail
clad warriors. He had not sought the
Lady Katharine again. The hustle of
suddenprcparation had held him prisoner
10 details of arrangement. She had sent
once to bid him remember his cousin i'm
this hour of danger, to wish him God
speed but for Lord Percy the bout of
love was over. He had put on the sol
der now, and laid aside the silkcn hose
and rOscttcd shoon. His voice rung out
the wcll-known commands-his gallant
knights responded with the Percy battle
cry-his plume waved foremost in the
van. Thinking OF this on yestcr
night, he would flin have carried some
ample talisman against the focmau's