The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1880-12-30
ANNIE BOLYEN'S NEW YEAR.
BY MRS. II. S. LACHMAN.

ANNIE BOLYEN'S NEW YEAR.
Ely MRS. Il. S. LACHMAN.
More than three hundred years ago.
on cold evening in the month of No
vember, a young and beautiful lady sat
covering over the dying embers of q
wood fire in an apartment Of Hener Cas-
tie; the backing had half burned across
and the ends fallen upright; the longer
end occasionly emitted a tiny blaze, a
few flashes, then died away in shadow.
The lady regarded it earnestly, super
stitiously linking her fortunes with its
fttul life. "If now she said, ''it shonld
blaze again shall be Henry's wife, if
not-ah!' she exclaimed .springing up
right. ''What means this portent!'' A
sudden blaze had flashed through the
entire crumbling, blackened log, brill
ant as evanescent, fading as suddenly,
in q shower of sparks, it fell into ashes.
Again she resumed her seat.
It was one year since Anne Boleyn in
compliance with the commands of her
father had returned to the court of King
HENRY VIII, taking place amongst
Queen katharines danes of honor. Four
years of absence in France, in service for
Margaret, Duchess d. Alencon, had I'M
parted a dignity to manners they had
hitherto lacked; it may be sorrow had
matured them, as her regrets for loss of
Percy, (afte1ward Duke of Nerthumber-
landD had never ceased; he was the only
man she eyer loved and whom doubtless
she would have welded. but for the in
reference Of Wolsey, creating against
him a bitter grudge, that still remained
unquencheu, although disslmulation
effectually yelled resentment towards her
enemored sovereign, who had also con-
tributed to break off the match. Anger
appeared to have died out, if it were
possible to judge by the manner in which
she received his attentions.
During all this time the question of
Henry's divorce was pending, yet only
spoken of as the "King's secret NATTER
Anne had been much disturbed in mind,
although having little doubt of the ultl-
mate result Still her anomalous posi-
ton at court was painful. She had not
yet become indifferent to looks and in
nunendoes. Many noble ladies held aloof,
believing her to be the kings mistress,
while malice whispered hints of child
born privately; also many of the promi-
nent leaders of the Protestant church
publically denounced her actions.
Yet withal Anne still retained her love
Of coQuetry and admiration. Though
apparently well pleased with the atten-
ton of her royal admirer, whose constant
companion she now was, regardless of the
scandal created, it was equally observed
that ambition was the main spring of her
nature, and that nothing less than the
crown matrimo nial would satisfy.
She had long sought, by every vile
and Establishment, as well as the politi-
cal influence acquired since recognized
as the kings favorite, to wickedly OBJ
tain the expulsion OF her royal mistress
from Windsor.
All her vivacity, however, failed to
conceal a mind i'll at ease. Care and
anxiety ruled many hours. To escape
from them, upon the day preceding that
upon which our history commences,
despite the opportunities Of the king to
the contrary, Anne Boleyn departed from
the court, seeking refuge in her child.
hoods home
The quiet and repose that reignud a.
Hener castle were a. first particularly
grateful, forming agreeable contrast with
the Sights and annoyances freely leveleo
81 this unfortunate woman, who. in the
progress Of her perilous filtration, had
already taken many steps toward tho
scafold and the grim headman.
She haa, moreover, too long drank the
Intoxicating draughts of fattery too long
dwelt amid the designations of court,
TO very long enjoy solitude. Upon the
evening we speak Of, the day had faded
early in the incessant drizzle that had
been falling since the morning; ennuj
had taken possession OF the Lady. whose
thoughts were as gloomy as the weather.
She rose from the richly-ca,ved chair, in
which she had been seated for the last
hour, with no other employment than
hstlessly poking aside with the toe OF
her tiny slipper the reeds with which the
floor had been freshly strewn in honor of
her arrival, and rang for lights.
The attendant who answered the sum
mons: bore in one hand massive silver
candlestick, containing tall, waxen
taper, lighted; in the other hand he held
q silver tray, upon which lay (she dis
cerned at glancel one of Henry's Gu
rious specimens of a love letter. With
out attempting to lift 1t, she babe the
man deposit both upon the table beside
her. a curiously beautiful one, inlaid with
various woods, in elaborate designs. and
feet carved in imitation of grifin's claws.
For ten minutes longer she
continued her occupation OF pushing the
rushes aside and her interrupted train of
thought, for she murmured: ;:I wonder
ifWyatt will keep his word and come On
the morrow-this dul.ness is unendura-
BILE, and,here further to disturb, come
letters from my Lord the King. I hoped
to have been freed from the court service
rs well as its ceremonials when I came