The Worthington advance., 1880-09-09
A WASTED LIFE.

~ was just A1CcT Cu0 CONQUEST Oh bElt-
ain by William the Conqueror, when one
morning strange sight was to be seen
upon the Thames at the point where
now stand the Houses of Parliament.
A vast crowd was congregating on the
northern bank-so vast that the Norman
Guards on sentry on the spot where now
stands Westminster Hall became doubt
full of what was happening, and gave the
alarm.
A company Of Normans was at once
marched to the palace.
They were but few men, yet quite ca
pable Of contending with a larger crowd
Of the Londoners, for the latter had
been deprived of all arms, and had been
forbidden, under pain Of death. to as-
semble in numbers.
The Captain Of the guard saw, how
ever that the greater portion Of the
crowd was composed Of women and
children, and at once was reassured.
"What is the cause Of the crowding %
he asked Of loud-tongued woman, who
was haranguing those standing about
her.
ut is Albra, the wife Of Vindor, who
wishes to prove that she is an honest
woman"
"How 500"
"By the test of the shield"
The Captain turned to his men.
Disband," he said, "and 20 among
the people. At the least sign Of rising
come to me With the news. Again, ii
ye hear the Castle bell, at once fall back
and join me in the courtyard. Me-
thinks the excitement his little to do
with us or the King"
Near the water stood a man and woman,
both of whom were young-the man
handsome, the woman very beautiful.
Between them they carried shield
upon which WAS stretched an infant.
whose age could not have been many
days.
The man was evidently troubled and
gloomy, while the woman, though pale,
was perfectly calm.
Where they stood, the river ran at q
rapid pace.
Around them the people stood eager
and excited, for they knew what was
about to happen.
"Who is he? asked one.
"ae is Vindor," was the reply "and
once master Of the meu.at-arms to the
Thane Of Buckingham. Now he is SER
vant to his old master, who lives here in
London. All he possesses Of his old
arme is the shield upon which the child
Ges."
"Whose child is it?''
Ay, there is the point upon which
Vindor is doubtful T.
"How so?'
"You see that he is fair, like most
Saxons while his wife is fairer still.
Now look at the little child cooling In its
strange cot, and you will remark that
bis hair is black, and that his skin il
dark"
"That's so."
s-,r"' Vindor, troubled in his mind by a
suggestion Of an old friend, doubts his
wife, has told her 80, and she is appeal
ing to the old gods Of Anglo-Saxonia to
prove her innocence. But mark, they
are speaking
Thereupon Vindor, growing still
gloomier, approached his wife, and said
to her, "Behold, the moment has ar
1vedg
Thou wilt have it ?" asked Albra.
lis it still thy wish? p
..r r"3es." replied the gloomy mar.
- ~S S@~~ eSere ~ t0e An!1u 0eSS0o
whether or not this child is mine."
"TheD let it be as thou wilt" said
Abra, "and the shame and disgrace be
With you"
The husband took the shield upon
Which lay the child-now doing.
Vindor walked into the swift-dowing
river. and up to his waist, raised the
child and shield over his head for mo-
ment, turned once again toward his wife,
- though meuacing her with the deed
he was about to commit.
Meanwhile che, with head erect and
an assured aspect, stood at the edge Of
the water, motonless a. statue. with
arms crossed upon her breast.
Az he looked at her, she stretched out
her hand toward her husband, end said,
In loud and naughty voice:
"Do not hesitate r
And now the crowd began to heave
and rock, while . low murmur was heard.
like threat, ascending from among the
assembled people. For, AZ the woman
spoke, the gloomy man lowered the
strange cradle, placed it lightly on the
running water, and let it and the child
oat away down the stream.
Scarcely, however, had tho shield
moved yard away from the doubling
man, when Vindor (as though nature
had suddenly reproached him) raised
his clasped and trembling hands. i'm
ploring heavenly help.
He followed the course of the shield
with great eagerness, despite his evident
desire to control his emotion, and bend
ing anxiously forward in the direction it
was taking.
The mother, on the contrary, re-
manned quite calm, her arms crossed
on her bosom, her eyes following the
course of the shield with firm and
tranquil look, so quiet and unmoved
that she anpeared to fear nothing for