The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1876-09-09
The Fairy of the Well.

the land, had taken Landloigh Castle i
its destructive course, and that one
lordly pile was now a ruin. An ancicn
/ we'll stood near It's backenei walls, witt
r square Of coping Of old, gray, moss
= stoues, into which flowed transIucien
n stream \! the back OF this we'll was 4,
antique fcoess Of stone, from the ccutnr c
which lhe watcr took its course.
The beams Of eary sunlight gli,tere,
On the water as n young cavalier ap
! preached the well. IF there bo a spel
called "swcet memories" which The,
say. binds the heart to coria places, apt
if the loveliness of the scenes in whicl
ono'S childhood has been passed, serve.
. to renew the guileless joys of infancy
then, indeed might Denzil Norman at
tribute to their influence his increasing
reluctance to depart and rcloin his regi
menf. But no; he knew tho spell that
bound him to that spot was tho charm Of
the simple village maiden. Yet, from
the moment he had behold the ,ovely and
gentle Alice Brooke. he felt that his des
tiny WAS fixed.
He knew the legend OF tho old we'll
lta waters were said to be guarded by
the Fairy Of the Castle. She harmed
but the wicked. Those who ever behsld
her (Which ho never hadD said that her
smile was so sweet it made everybody
who was fortunate enough to encounter
it, good-looking and happy.
"Ah famous fairy of this WE'LL" he
said "spostrophizing tiff indeed, such
spirits exist between heaven and mau---
how gladly would importune you to
award me the affections Of a village
maiden. Then far from the kingly
courts and the hostile dir Of warfare,
lie paused abruptly for it appeared to
him 40 if a voice answered him from the
well. He listened intently and heard q
sweet silvery voice mingling with the
ripping of tho waves. which chantcd
these words:
Denzil Norman-Denzii Norman
List the Fairy Of the Well
Foes arc coming-foes arc coming,
Here no longer thou must dwell
Happier days may on thee wait
Fly from love- and ny from fate
Denzil was filed with amazement. The
voice sounded to his ear like the wreath.
ed choir Of unseen spirits. Could ii be
possible, he asked himself, that thorc were
anch beings "a fairies, who watch our ae.
tions and know our inmost thoughts?
The voice ceased but now another
sound broke upon tho march The warn.
ing was true, thon--hc was in peril The
Roundneads were near. II detected he
knew he should be denounced as a spy,
ard shot without delay. Yet still he
would not fly until he had exchanged a
few farewell words with the lovely Alice.
ilc hastened back to the house of DR..
Brooke, the village physician and the ia.
ihcr of his love. Tho worthy doctor was
surprised at bis return.
Rash youth !" he exclaimed, were
you not admonished on your way hither to
hy n, once from i4andoigh ?"
"Jow 10 you know that 2" answered
Dopsil in amagoment. "Ycp, was al.
Wonishcl, but | had not said farewell to
Alice"
This is absolute Madness said DR..
Brooke. boy, boy, arc you aware that
farewell may cost you your liio3"
Not so worthy host; wear good
sword and posaess strong heart and
strong arm TO back it." replied Donzil,
with the confidence Of youth "Where is
Alice 20
"Shc il absent bat viii shortly return;
and when she does will send her to YOU"
said tho doctor, and left the room.
As Douzil gaaci listIessly from tho
window, panel in the wall glidod noise
lessly to one side, and through the aper.
turo came lovely girl, some eighteen
years Of age, clad in the plain bu. bocom.
ing costume OF village maid. She
closed tho panel quietly, advanced to
Den2il's side, and laid her hand upon Lis
shoulder lie started up in joyous sur.
prise,
"Ah, sweet Alice - he exclaimed.
"Den2il, Dengil !" she answered i'm.
patiently, why do you tArry here when
every moment adds to the poril of your
safety r.
"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 you 7"
"Oh, Denzil, Denzil !" ahe responded
plsintively, lis it generous 20 leave this
impression on the heart Of poor maiden.
whose last hope could be to unite herself
in wedlock with one of noble descent like
yours? | do love you, De zil-nor blush
to acknowledge that which is as dear to
me as the love of life itself But alas
have heard it said your hand was devoted
to another"
Another! What otherP" demanded
DenEil, in surprise.
The daughter Of your fathers friend,
Lord Eustacs BlouDt, aud the proprietor
OF yonder ruined castle" answered Alice
"Lord Eustaoe perished at the battle
OF Worcester" said Denzil "hls dauqh.
ter fled or was lost in the conflict. The
heart and hand Of Denzil Norman are
free. and to you Alice they will be true"
Alice made no further remonstrance,
but she presently inquired: You re.
member, then. the Lord Eustace and his
young, motherless daughter 2"
"Alce, dc" he answered who ever
forgets The companions of earliest years Z?
lie was my guArdian-sho the playful
rcnPanion Of my summer walks All