The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1876-08-10
FAITH OF THE NORMANS.

H. H., ~ ScT1b1eT FOR august.
FAITH OF THE NORMANS.
The civil war between the Cavaliers
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
walls, with square coping of old,
gray, mOssy stones, into 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.
The beams of early sunlight glittered
on the water As q young cavalier ap-
preached the well. If there be a spell
called "sweet memories" which, they
say, binds the heart to certain places,
and if the loveliness of the scene 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; he knew the
spell that bound him to that spot was
the charm of a simple village maiden.
Yet from. the moment he had beheld
the lovely and gentle Alice Brooke he
felt that his destiny was fixed 4
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 ever
beheld her (Which he never had) said
that her smile was so sweet it made
every body who was fortunate enough
to encounter it good-looking and happy.
"Ah! famous fairy of this WELL" he
cried, apostrophizing it-"if, indeed,
such spirits exist between heaven and
men-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 it appeared
to him as if 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-Denzn Norman!
List the Fairy OF the Well;
Foes are cOming-fOes are coming,
Here no longer thou must dwell.
Happier days NAV on thee wait!
Fly from love and fly from fate!
Denzn 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 inmOst
thoughts.
The voice had ceased, but now anoth-
er sound broke upon his cara distant
hum as if troops were on the march.
The warning was true, then-he was in
peril. The Roundheads 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 a 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.
crash youth" he exclaimed, "were
YOU not admonished on your way hither
to fly at oLce from LandleighP' -
"How know you that?" answered
Denzil IN amazement. "Yes, | was
admonished, but l had not said fare
well to Alice"
This is absolute Madness" said
Doctor Brooke "Boy, boy, are you
aware that that farewell may cost you
your life?'' .-....... -.
- Not so, worthy host; wear a good
sword and possess a strong heart and
a strong arm to back it" replied Den
a. i Il
"Where is Alice?''
- She is absent, but will shortly re-
turn; and VIXEN she does will send her
TO you," said the doctor, and left the
room.
As Denzn gazed istlessly from the
window panel in the wall glided noise
" 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 shoul-
der. He started up in joyous surprise.
"Ah, sweet Alice!" he exclaimed.
"Denzil, Denzil!" she answered i'm
patiently; "why do you tarry here
when every moment adds TO the peril
OF your safety?"
"Chide me not, Alice" he returned,
" since l tarried but to ask you if you
viii love me when | am gone, as shall
continue to love you?n
ooh, Denzil, Denzili" she respond
ed, plaintively, "is it generous to leave
this impression on the heart of poor
maiden, whose last hope could be to
unite herself in wedlock with one of no.
BILE descent 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 it
said your hand was devoted to an
other"
"Another! What other?" demanded
Denzil, in surprise.
"The daughter of your fathers
friend, Lord Eustace Blount, and the
proprietor OF yonder ruined castle" an
swered Alice
"Lord Eustace perished at the Battle
of Worcester" said Denzil; " his
daughter fed or was lost in the con-
fiict. The heart and hand of Denzil
Norman are free, e,and toyou, Alice, they
wiilbe true.n atE4EE-'sa
Alice made no further remonstrance,
but she presently inquired: "You re-
member, then, the Lord Eustace and
his Young, motherless daughter?"
stAlice, l do,'' he answered; "who
ever forgets the companions OF earliest
wears? He was my guardian-she the
playful companion of my summer walks.
An are goneI But the influence of their
GOOD wishes seems still to direct my
destiny." - a
They were now disturbed by the alb
rupt entrance of q servant, who inform
ed them that the house was surrounded
by Puritans, and that they had evident
ly come in search of Denzil Norman.