The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1880-01-10

| SidClouS duu HoDiS past ID many things
apart from himself. His home. his PEG
pie, his long line of ancestors whose glory
and whose strength had been his from
the time of his birth, and oh! his wife
His wife and his sweet love lifel What
an end to such dreams as theirs mad been
His bonny darling! Oh, to see her
once more! On, to hear her voice, even
in sac adieu, to press her lips, her cheeks
to his, even for one moment of agony
worse than death.
Palmer and palmer grew the remem-
| brance of her face and form, keener and
keener the longing for her, more and
more maddening the thought of the few
brief hours they yet belonged to each
other. Then came sudden, sharp graf.
ing noise across the stiffness of the night.
Lord Nithisdale started. Was it come
so soon? Was God so near? Again the
earth and its ties were swept away, as he
rose at the opening of the door.
a CLEAN of light and moving shadow
that was all. The door clanged too
suddenly, and the bolts grated harshly.
The shadow stood still in the waning
moonlight.
You seek me, friend, in all kindness,
| trust!" said Lord Nithisdale. "My
time is short, too short for aught of idle
meaning"
The shadow moved not, but a smoth-
cred, gasping sob broke from it. Lord
Nithisdale hurriedly crossed the narrow
cell and laid his hand on the dark mantle.
1t was thrown back from the pale face
and tear-wasted eyes of the countess of
Nithisdale.
My husband! My own dear lord I"
she cried, extending her arms TO him
L have come to save you. Our time is
short, indeed, aud | have even shortened
it by my weak yielding to the feelings
the dear sight of you awakened.
never, never thought to see your face
again" And "he chung closer and
closer to him as his trembling lips
pressed her in an agony of love and pain.
But We must hasten" she exclaimed.
suddenly withdrawing herself from his
fond arms. " No more, Nithisdale; no
more! Until we meet in happier
hours"
In happier hoursi' he interrupted.
Alas, dear love, have but one to live
| fear me. Thou hast come in good
time, sweetheart. would not have
missed thee-nay! even though thou
maketh death more bitter"
"Hush, hush, my lordl | have come
to save thee from all bitterness-I will
tell thee quickly. Thou must heed-the
king, thou kDOwest, will show no mercy.
We have pleaded for thee, aye! night
and day thy mother and l have wearied
the king as one Wearies heaven with
prayers-Only heaven is more merciful,
and now | have come TO save thee. |
must, | will only be thou my loving
and indulgent lord, as thou hast ever
been. Heaven bless theel Seel thou
must lay aside thy ruff and thy doublet'
undoing them with trem-
bling yet skillful fingers. $50. Now,
thou must wear these-quick, quick
the time is short"
" But stay, sweetheartW said the earl,
bewildered and incredulous, az she strove
TO adjust her dainty coif and veil upon
his flowing locks. Thou canst not
hope to send me forth in thy robings.
Remember this is the tower"
Chou hast friends, Nithisdale! Thou
hast friends! Ask me no more-nay, do
not stop me. Let me but pull this carl
q little nearer-it is the very color of my
own-aGd fasten the CLOAK about thee
thus. Now, bend thy head as if thou
hsdst but just left me to die the death"
"And SO | may" he cried, A." the king
will stop at nothing. Thy head may be
the forfeit. Better let it gol | can but
die and end it"
Nithisdale," she entreated, as he
made an attempt TO loosen the mantle,
''hear me, dear love! l am in no danger.
And if | were-think of it, Thou art
noble of all old and gallant line, and it
may die with thee. Thou art my hus-
band, and thinkest thou | would pur-
chase my safety from an imaginary
danger at thy certain peril? Go, go!
God bless thee! | will join thee soon.
Thou wilt find friends, and thou wilt
know them by this token: The day
dawns.' Now, speed thee! Bend thy
head"
She hurriedly folded his doublet
around her and sank into the deepest
corner of the cell. as the door grated on
its hinges. Lord Nithisdale passed
slowly through the froWning arch, and
followed the Tailor in 8 tumult OF feel
ing. Hope, fear, love, anxiety, a con-
fused sense of shame, and yet an in
stinctive adherence to his wife's hurried
instructions as to the manner of wearing
the disguise, prevented his noticing the
singular silence OF his conductor until it
was broken by another voice close at
hand.
"The day dawns, think" said the
newcomer,
CAY! The larks will be up ere long"
answered the jailer, gruffly, and paused
Loru Nithisdsle WAS quick to under
stand Without a word, he followed
the first speaker through winding pas
ssges and narrow stairways dark as
night, until they emerged into an open
court, where the cold March wind struck
chill upon his prison. weakened frame,
and it was no mock tremor that thrilled
him, as he crouched, with hidden face
upon the others silently offered arm. A
brief whispered psrley, an exclamation
of pity from the guard, and the door flew
open before them. Ten minutes more
and they were without the walls.
"The day dawns," said voice he
knew.
CAY! The larks will be up ere long"
answered his companion, quietly Will
your ladyship be pleased to take horse
now, or to go farther and rest?"
The earl answered briefly, "As you
will" and heard, still with bent head,
tho ulCu from n Cf s+aeIa Rut his com =