Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1876-09-09
THE FAIRY OF THE WELL.

THE FAIRY OF THE WELL.
The civil war between the Caviliers
and Puritans, which was then desolat-
ing the land, had taken Landleigh Cas-
tie in its destructive course, and that
once lordly pile was now ruin; An
ancient well stood near,its blackened
wall, Witha square Of coping OF old.
gray, messy stones, in which flowed
translucent stream. At the back of
this well was an antique recess of stone,
from the center. of which the water
took its course.s 4 tzsa1a s. "a aAas
The beams of early sunlight glitter
ed on the water as a young cavalier APP
preached the we'll. If there be spell
called sweet memories" which, they
say, binds the heart to certain places,
and If the loneliness of the scenes in
which ones childhood has been passed,
serves to renew the guileless joys of
infancy, then, indeed, might Denzil
Norman attribute to their influence
his increasing reluctance to depart and
reiOin his regiment. But no; he knew
the spell that bound him to that spot
was the charm of the. simple village
maiden. Yet, from the momert. 70
had beheld the lovely and gentle Alice
Brooke, he felt his destiny was fixed.
He knew the legend of the old we'll.
Its waters were said to be guarded by
the Fairy of the Castle. She harmed
but the wicked. Those who ever be-
held her (Which he never had) said
that her smile was so sweet it made
everybody who was fortunate enough
to encounter it, good-looking and hap
py. -. 1870 -
r'Ahi famous fairy of this well, =" he
said, apostrophizing tiff, indeed,
such spirits exist between heaven and
man-how gladly would l importune
you to award me the affections of a
village maiden. Then far from the
kingly courts and the hostile din of
He paused abruptly, for it appeared
to him as if a voice answered him
from the well. He listened intently
and heard a sweet, silvery voice ming
ling with the ripping Of the waves,
which chanted these words:
Denzil Norman-Denzil Norman!
List the Fairy of the Well;
4 h
Here no longer thou must dwell.
Happier days may on thee waltz
Fly from love, and fly from fate!
Denzil was filed with amazement.
The voice sounded to his ear like the
wreathed choir of unseen spirits.
Could it be possible, he asked himself,
that there were such beings as fairies,
who watch our actions and know our
Utmost thoughts ? JE"a|s ~-
The voice ceased, but now another
sound broke upon his cara distant
hum fell as of troops upon the march.
The warning was true, then-he was in
peril. The ROudheads were near. If
detected he knew he should be de-
nOunced as a spy, and shot without de-
lay. Yet still he would not fly until
he had exchanged few farewell words
with the lovely Alice.
He FASTENED back to the house of
DIR. Brooke, the village physician and
the father of his love. The worthy
doctor was surprised at his return.
Rash youth :" he exclaimed, were
you not admonished on your way hither
to fly at once from Landleigh ?'
How know you that?" answered
Denzil in amazement. Yes. | was ad-
monished, but l had not said farewell
to Alice"
"This is absolute madness" said
DIR. Brooke. boy, boy, are you aware
that that farewell may cost you your
life ?'
Not so, worthy host; I wear a good
sword and possess a strong heart and a
strong arm to back it, replied Denzil
with the confidence ofyouth. "Where
is Alice2" 90 sa "a
"She is absent, but will shortly re
turn; and when she does | will send
her to you" said the doctor, and left
the room.
As Denzil gazed listlessly from the
window, a panel in the wall glided
noiselessly to one side, and through
the aperture came a lovely girl, some
eighteen years Of age, clad in the plain
but becoming costume of a village
maid. She closed the panel quietly
advanced to Denzil's side, and laid her
hand upon his shoulder. He started
up in Joyous surprise. ga z
All, sweet Alice ~ he exclaimed. a
"Denzil, Denzill" she answered i'm
patiently, why doyou larry here when
every moment adds to the peril ofyour
safety ?"
"Chide me not, Alice" he returned
since | tarried but to ask you if you
will love me when | am gone, as shall
continue to love your
"Oh, DenZil, Denzil :" she responded
plaintively, is it generous to leave
this impression on the heart of poor
maiden, whose last hope could be ia
unite herself in wedlock with one of
noble decent like yours? | do love
you, Denzil-nor blush to acknowledge
that which is as dear to me as the love
of life itself But alas | have heard
1t said your hand was devoted to an
other"
"Anotherl What other p demands
ed Denzil, In SURPRISE
THE daughter of your fathers
friend, Lord EuStacc Blount. and the
proprietor of yOnder ruined castle, =
answered Alice.
Lord Eustaco persisted ut the battle
ofWorcester, said Denzil; his daugh.
ter fed orwas lost In the conflict. The
heart and hand of DenzIl Norman are
free, and to you, Alice, they will be
true.
4 lice made no further remonstanee
lint she presently inquired You re
member, then, the Lord Eustace ant
rs voung. mOtherless daughter?"
Alice, l do" he answered; "whC
.,ver forrets the companions of earlies
v vesrs9 He was my guardian-she tn,
1I,vful companion OF my summer
P PTS AN are gone But the influ
~n.a IL heir good wishes seems still
to dire my destiny, "a sskaa.
fbev we're now disturbed BY the eb
ruIA cntfanco Of Q ser1Sans VS. IN : :
fsfmed them that the hosse 49, wa t fSs
FOUNDED by Puritans, ana .h sn ~ Den
had evidently come II sea5c na =, lin N,
1;I Norman. Alice showed D 0e ~ oo on
E secret PANEL, and urged MIN 70 OOA