The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1875-01-24
THE
LION OF FLANDERS;
OR THE
BATTLE OF THE GOLDEN SPURS,
By HENDRIX CONSCIENCE.
Concluded.)

ConcludedO
The strife lasted long; the appalling cry OF
the troops, rs they fought hand to hand, re-
sounded through tho lonely cell. For long
hours those low-whispered prayers went forth
and still they prayed, when the golden knight
knocked at the abbey. gate. The sound of
heavy footsteps caused them to turn their eyes
towards the door, and they were still and
motionless with sweet anticipation.
adolf comes again p sighed Maria. ooh,
our prayer is heard "
Matilda listened with greater eagerness, and
replied in tones of sadness.
ono, no, it is not Adolf; his step is not so
heavy. o Maria, ID may 30 . herald Of evil
tidingsw
The door of the cell turned on it's hinges,
nun opened it; and the golden knight entered
Matilda's tender frame trembled with fear I;
she raised her eyes doubtfally and timidly to
the stranger who stood before her and opened
his arms to her. It seemed to her delusive
dream; but her agitation was aesting as tho
lightning which flashes and is gone; she rushed
eagerly forward, and was clssped in her fathers
arms.
"My fatherp she exclaimed; Z" my beloved
fatheri do 1 see Son again free,-your chains
oIOhouE Lou INC press you TO my uobTt. "
God, how good Thou arti Do not turn away
your face, dearest father; let me taste all my
bliss"
Robert de Bethune embraced his loving
daughter with unutterable joy; and when
their hearts at length beat more TRANQUILITY, he
laid his helmet aud gloves of steel on the low
stool on which Matilda had been kneeiing :.
Wearied by his exertions, he sank into couch.
Matilda threw her arms around him, gazing
with admiration and awe on him whose face
had been ever to her 30 full of consolation and
strength,-on him whose noble blood flowed in
her veins, and who loved her so deeply and
tenderly and she listened with beating heart
to the words which that beloved voice muir
INJURED in her ear.
"Matilda," said he, my noble child, God
has long proved MS with suffering: but now
our sorrows are ended Flapdres Is free,-is
avenged. The Black Lion has torn the Lilies
to pieces, and the aliens are discounted and
driven back, Dismiss every fear the vile |
Of Joanna of Navarro are no
nore."
The maiden listened with agoniEed attention
10 the words of her father, she looked at him
With a peculiar expression she could but |
ier that she seemed deprived of all power and |
peech. After a few moments, she observed
hat her father had ceased speaking and she
aid:
80 my God, our fatherland is freei The
french are defeated and slain; and you, my
ather, 1 possess you once more. We shall 60
aok again to our beautiful Wynaudael. Sor-
ow shall no more cloud your days; and shall
Ass my life joyfully and happily in your arms.
his is beyond hopo,-beyond all that have
AIRED to ask Of God In my prayers.
Listen attentively, my child and be calm,
beseech you: this day must leave you
gain. The noble knight who released me
rom my bonds has my word Of honor that /
'ould return as soon as the battle was over'
The maiden's neck sSnk again upon her
roast, and she sighed, in bitter grief:
" They will put you to cruel death, o my
Dor fatherp
"Do not BIO 60 fearfal, Matilda" continued
ebert; "my brother Guy has taken sixty
rench knights of noblest blood prisoners;
hiIip the Fair win be told that their lives are
ostages for mine; and he cannot allow the
rave survivors Of his army TO be offered up -
Ietins to his vengeance. Flanders is now