Middletown transcript., 1876-08-26
Select STORY.
THE FAIRY OF THE WELL.

| The civil war between the cavalier
and Puritans, which was then desolat
| ing the land, had taken Landleigh Gas
tie in its destructive course, and tina
once lordly pile was now a ruin. Al
ancient we'll stood near its blackeneG
walls, with square Of coping Of old
gray, messy stones, into which poured
a. translucent stream. At the back oil
this we'll was an antique recess of stone,
from the centre of which the water took
| its course
The beams Of early sunlight glittered
on the water as young cavalier ap-
preached the welt. If there be spell
called "sweet memories" which, they
say, binds the heart to certain places,
and if the loveliness Of the scenes in
which ones childhood has been passed ,
serves to renew the guileless joys of in
fancy then, indeed, might Denzil Nor
man attribute to their influence his in
creasing reluctance to depart and rejoin
his regiment. But no; be knew the
spell that bound him to that spot was
the charm Of the simple village maiden.
Yet, from the moment he had beheld
the lovely and gentle Alice Brook, be
felt that his destiny was fixed.
He knew the legend Of the old we'll.
Ito waters vera said to be guarded by
the Fairy Of the Castle. She harmed
but the wicked. Those who ever be-
held her (Which he neveflhad) said that
her smile was so sweet it made every
body who was fortunate enough to en-
counter it, good-looking and happy.
All! famous fairy Of this we'll. be
said, if indeed such spirits exist be-
tween heaven and man-how gladly
would I importune you to award me the
affections Of . village maiden. Then
far from the kingly courts and the hos
tile din of warfare-
He paused abruptly. for it appeared
to him as if a voice answered him from |
the we'll. He listened intently and |
heard sweet, silvery voice mingling |
with the ripping waves. which chanted
these words:
Denzil Norman-Denzil Normanl
List the Fairy of the Well;
Foes are coming-foes are coming,
Here no longer thou must dwell.
Happier days may on thee wait!
Fly from love and fly from fate.
Denzil was filled with amusement
The voice sounded to his ear like the
Wreathed choir Of unseen spirits. Could
be possible. be asked himself, that
here were such beings a. fairies, who
vatch our actions and know our inmost
thoughts
The voice ceased. but now another
ound broke upon his cara distant
lum fell as of troops on the march. -
The warning was true, then-he was /,
D peril. The Roundheads were near.
t detected he knew be should be de-
as . spy, and shot without de.
ay. Yet still be would not fly until he
ad exchanged few farewell words l
nth the lovely Alice.
He FASTENED back to the house of DR..
Brooke, the village physician and the
ather Of his love. The worthy doctor
'as surprised at bis return. Il
Rash youth, be exclaimed, were you 9
OF admonished on your way hithsr to r
At once from Landleigh? 8
How know you that answered Den I
j. in amazement Yes, l was admon- b
he'd. but / had not said farewell to a
.lice t4 0
This is absolute madness, said Dr..
rookie. Boy. boy. are you aware that v
'at farewell may cost you your life.
Not SO. worthy host; wear good f
sord and possess a strong heart and V
rong arm to back it, replied Denzil, G
ith the confidence Of youth. Where 81
Alice :? .,
She is absent, but will shortly re- b
I'm; and when she does l will send t.
n to you. said the Doctor, and left a,
70 room. n
AS Densil gazed listlessly from the &
iDdow, a panel in the wall glided Il
'iselessly to one side, and through the D
'erture came a lovely girl. some eigh- v
en- years Of age, clad in the plain but
coming costume Of village maid.-
le closed the panel quietly. advanced D
Densil's side, and laid her hand upon
shoulder. He started up in joyous
rpise. a,
Ah. sweet Alice, he exclaimed. IA
Densil. Denzil. she answered him
patiently. Why do you tarry here ia
len every moment adds to the peril of n,
ur safety7 ',
Chide me not Alice, be returned,
ice l taried but to ask you If you will Ii
10 me when / am gone, as / shall vi
ntinuesto love you? L
Oh. Denzil. Denzil she responded ne
lintively, is it generous to leave this Of
preston on the heart Of . poor hs
.iden. whose last hope could be to ye
ite herself in wedlock with one Of irI
bic descent like yours? / do love