The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1876-08-24
FAITH OF THE NORMAL

The civil war between the Cavaliers
and Purltans, which was then desoatnr
the land, had taken Landleigh castle in
ITS destructive course, and that once
.ordly pile was now ruin. An ancient
well stood near it's blackened walls, with
a square coping Of old, gray, messy
stones, into which flowed Translucent
stream. At the back of this we'll was an
antique recess of stone, from the center
of which the water took its course
The beams of early sunlight glittercd
on the water as Il young cavalier ap-
preached the well. If there be spell
called Sweet memories" which, they
say, binds tho heart to certain places,
and II the lOvelncSs of the scenes in
which ones childhood has been passed
serves to renew the guielcss joys OF in
tapcy, then, indeed might Dcnzil Nor
man attribute to their influence his in
creasng reluctance to depart and rcjoin
his regiment. But no; he knew the spell
that bound him to that spot was the
charm of Il simple village maiden Yet
from the moment he had beheld the
lovely and gentle Alice Brooke he felt
that his destiny was fixed.
He knew the legend of the old well.
Its waters were said to be guarded by
the fairy of the castle. She harmed but
the wicked. Those who had behcld her
(Which he never had) said that her smile
was 80 sweet it made everybody who was
fortunate enough to encounter it good
looking and happy.
"Ah I! famous fairy of this WE'LL" he
cried, apostrophizing it-"if, indeed,
such spirits exist between heaven and
man-how gladly would | importune
YOU to award me the affection of vii
lage maiden. Then far-far from the
kingly courts and the hostile din of
warfare"
He paused abruptly, for il appeared
to him AS il a voice answered him from
the well. He listened intently and
heard a sweet, silvery voice mingling
with the ripping of the waves, which
chanted these words:
Denzil Norman--Denzil Norman!
List the Fairy of the Well
Foes are cOming-fOes coming.
Here no longer thou must dwell,
Happier days may on thee wait!
Fly from love and hy from fate.
Denzil was filled with amazment
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 fairics, who
watch our actions and know our inmost
thoughts.
The voice had ceased, but now anOth
er sound broke upon his cara distant
hum ~ Of troops upon the march. The
warning was true, then-hc was in peril
The Roundheads were near. II detected
he knew he should be denounced as ;
spy and shot without delay. Yet still
he would not fly until he had exchange
few farewell words with the Lowell,
Alice.
He fastened back to the house of DR.
Brooke, the village physician and tn
father of his love. The worthy dOcto
was surprised at his return.
Crash youth" he exclaimed, ever
you not admonished on your way hithe
to fly at once from Landleigh?"
GLOW know you that" answere,
Denzil in amazement. ayes, was ad
monshed, but | had not said farewell t
ALICE
"This is absolute Madness" sal
doctor Brooke. "Bov, boy, are yo
aware that that farewell may cost yo
your life?"
Not so, worthy host; | wear goo
sword and possess strong heart and
strong arm to back it," replied Denzi
with the confidence Of youth. Where
Aice?"
"She is absent, but will shortly II
turn; and when she does | will send he
to YOU" said the doctor, and left tn
room.
As Denzil gazed listlessly from tn
window panel in the wall glide
nolselessly to one side and through tn
aperture came lovely girl some eigh
cen years Of age, clad in the plain bu
Incoming costume Of village mai'
she closed the panel quietly, advance
to DenziPs side, and laid her hand upo
hls shoulder. He started in joyous Eli
prise.
"Ah, sweet Alicel" he exclaimed.
"Denzil, Denzil!" she answered in
patiently; "why do you tarry here who
every moment adds to the peril Of yol
saiety?"
"Chide me not, Alice" he returne
,lnce tarried but to ask you il yC
VIII love me when am gone, as shs
continue to love you 2D