Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1880-03-11

MY lord is well and vigorous, but in
deadly need of succor. He sendeth to
thee for aid. and thou must give it
quickly, or all is lost. Even now he is
pent up within Alhama's walls, while
the Moorish monarch. Muley Abul Has
san, with an overwhelming force, sur
rounds him and his devoted band"
Then Albania has fallen in our pow
err"
Even so, lady, the valiant marquis
stormed it with his troops, but the Mos
lem will wrest it back again if aid be
not forthcoming shortly. 1t can be held
no longer than three days from this
He shall be saved. De Icons wife
hath sworn it." answered the marchion.
ess with compressed lips.
"But to whom wilt thou apply, my
lady ?" asked the warden, Pedro. 1.-The
distances are long and the time of grace
short. There is no one near to-
"Bethinkest thou, good Pedro. The
Duke of Medina Sidonia is our neigh
bor."
"And our enemy hkwise. My lord
the marquis. hath no rival more bitter
than Don Henrique Guzman. For GEN.
turies this feud has existed between the
houses, and years only add to its fierce
ness"
%Yet Medina is good knight and true
and although my husbands enemy, he
will not turn from the pleading OF his
wife in the hour of need"
"Thou judgest him rightly" observed
Galindo, the esquire. "In all Spain there
is no nobler knight than Don Henrique
de Guzman.'
"Order my palfry to be saddled, Pc
dro," cried the marchioness. Il go this
night to Medina's castle, and thou shalt
see that he does not disgrace his man.
hood. Martin GalindO, thou goest with
me-"
1t was festal night in the baronial
halls of Don Henrique de Guzman. The
ruddy glow of torches cast itful light
over the long banquet tables, and pages
and serving men ran hither and thither
in their various employments. All were
joyous, and merriment and revelry
crowded the passing hours. The richest
and most powerful chieftain of the
South was Henrique de Guzman, duke
of Medina Sidonia. His yearly rents
amounted to nearly 10000 ducats, and
he could bring into the field 100000
fighting men from his own resources.
He sat at the head of the tables now, a
tall, stately man of fifty years of age, yet
stronger in looks than most men of those
years. The great rooms were hushed
into silence as he arose, and, pouring
forth a brimming cup of wine, exclaim-
ed: Now all my knights and liegemen
true, let us drink health to our Catholic
sovereign, King Ferdinand and Queen
Isabella"
A loud shout ringing through hall and
corridor greeted the toast, but before
the foaming beakers touched their lips
all paused surprised, as the sound of
horn came ringing from without.
"Hal who seeks an entrance at this
time to our castle?" cried the duke.
"Ho, there! brave captainl what means
this blast ?"
"Perchance it is the Moor" said
grizzled knight. "To armsl to arms!
and drive him back"
Before the speech was fairly out of
his mouth the door of the saloon opened
and lady, robed in silk and jewels,
beautiful and proud, and attended by
a youthful esquire, entered and ap-
preached the duke. As she walked up
the long hall the knights and barons as
sembled there gaZed at her with amaze
ment and whispered among themselves:
"'Tis the marchioness of CadizT
Over Medina's swarthy face a shadow
fitted as he recognized his visitor. His
features worked convulsively, then a
smile crept out and lit up the sternness,
and, holding forth both hands, he went
forth to meet the spouse Of his deadly
enemy.
Thou art welcome, noble ladyl" he
exclaimed. "Thy presence does my cas-
tie honor"
The lady inclined her naughty head
There was sweetness in her voice
which might have won even more
stubborn enemy than the one before
her as She answered:
Il come to you as suppliant. The
wife Of DeLeon seeks Don IIenrique de
GuZman in her hour of need"
"And as he values his mighty sword,
so will De GuZman ever be ready to aid
a woman at her call. Speak forth thine
errand, noble dame, and fear not" said
the duke.
"Thou art noble knight, and hast
shown thy spirit as l deemed thou
wouldst," exclaimed the Lady ISadoura.
Il know well, my lord, that between our
houses there has been feud most terri
BILE, and that the hate exists between
thee and my husband. But feel assu-
red that now the past will be forgotten.
The marquis is besieged in Albania by
Muley Hassan and all the Moslem horde,
and unless thou wilt rescue him he must
succumb to the Moorish power. This is
my request"
There was murmur of disapproba-
tion among the crowded knights as the
ceased speaking, one ex-
claimed:
at cannot be. No true negeman of
Medina's will draw his sword to help
De Leon, his lifelong enemy and the
herditary rival of his house. Thou art
mad to ask it."
But the duke unsheathed his sword,
and, as it flashed in the taper's light, he
cried:
"De Guzman speaks for his own.
Thou hast not misjudged me, noble la
dy. My sword is at thy service. 1 will
hasten to De Icons succor, and every
vassal who loves me will follow. Al
hama shall be.relieved and Muley Has
san foiled."
A wild cheer resounded through the
halls, and Lady Isadoura
sank softly on her knees, and, pressing
her lips to the proud dukes hand, wept
those silent tears of gratitude which fall
quietly when the soul has learned to
suffer and grow strong.
On the battlement heights of Albania,
as the morning sunlight fell upon them
three days after, stood Roderigo Ponce
de Leon and his companions-in-arms
0rtega de Prado. The face and form
Of the noble marquis showed evident
signs of suffering, but his eagle eve
still flashed with the fire of unquenched |
volOr and his grim lips did not quiver
as he marked the movements of the
Moorish host below.
"And does this day settle our fate, De
Leon ?" asked his companion gloomily.
oIt nnuSf no On 0ur lnaf r.afionc bo,,a |