Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1883-02-20
NEW SERIES, VOL. XVIII, no. 8.

q
once on her journey. When night
fell, she went TO little inn, where
she asked for a bed, and slept soundiy.
Now, it happened that a thief found
his way into the inn that night, and
proving about he came into the
maiden's room and saw her purse
lying on the table. In It he found
the letter which he opened and read.
It contained these words:
''Dear brother-Take bearer and
put her to death Immediately
The thief turned his lantern on the
face of the sleeper, and seeing how
young and beautiful she was he felt
compassion. ..She deserves better
fate" he said, land she shall have
it" Then he wrote note in the
handwriting of the knight:
Dear brother-Take the bearer
and marry her at once TO my son.
He then sealed the letter and placed
it into the girls purse instead of the
other.
Next morning the girl walked early
and hurried on to Scarborough. The
knights brother received her kindly,
but when he had read the letter he
embraced her, and went 10 seek his
nephew, who happened TO be on 4
visit to his castle. AS soon as the
youth bcheld the maiden he became
enamored of her, and desired 10 be
welded next day: and the marriage
was celebrated with much splendOr,
the bride looking moro beautiful than
ever in her wedding garments.
After n day or two the knight told
mis- nephew that he must go to York
10 seek the knight, his father, and
tell him that he had obcyed his COM
mands. The young husband was un-
willing to leave his wife; however he
departed with many promises of n
speedy return.
He had not gone long when his IA
thcr arriyed-they had missed each
other on the road-and when the
York knight learned what had hap
pcned he was almost mad with rage.
He asked his daughtcr-in-law TO come
with him outside the castle, then,
seizing her by the hair, he dragged
her to the sea-shorc and drew dag
ger. She fell on her knees.
''Spare my life" she said, land
tell me how have angcred you?''
At this he told her her history. and
bade her prepare for death; but at
last her tears ard entreatics so FAR
softcncd him that he had shcathed
his dagger; then, plucking a ring
from his finger, he flung it into the
sea.
Swear to me-" he said, THAT YOU
will not come into my sight CT that
of my son till that ring is found on
your finger, and L will spare your
life
She sworc, and then she fed il
wild terror. till she found herself in n
strange place, obliged to beg tor food.
At last, after long wanderings, she
became cook to a nobieman.
One day, as she looked out of the
window at the guests arriving for a
banquet, she saw her cruel enemy
and his son, her dearly beloved hus-
band. She drew back hastily, and
then she tremblcd so that she could
hardly cook dinner. just before il
was ready fisherman came to the
door. He had brought a splendid
fish for sale, and she took il in and
began TO clean it. All Mt once she
saw something glitter inside it.
She looked closer; ii was the
knight ring. Then she ceased trcm-
bling her fear changed TO JOY, and
she cooked dinner to perfection.
''H'ho is your cook, my Iord?''
asked the knight, who, notwithstand-
ing his cruelty, was extrecmly fond
of good eating.
''She is strange girl, but she is
fair to scc,'' his host answered .Eshe
came begging to my door, and /
took her in from charity" then turn
ing TO the servants behind him:
''SOme of You bid the cook come up
into the dining-hall.
The girl washed her face and
smoothed her hair then she put on
her best clothes, and with the ring
On her finger she entered the hall.
The guests looked al her with won
der, for she seemed to them as lovely
IS n rose
But the knight uttered fierce
yell and started from his seat. lie
drew his sword, and made a rush at
her, but she smiled and held up her
hand. On it he saw the ring which
he had cast into the sea. He saw.
too, that her young husbsnd stood
beside her and claspcd her in his
arms Then the knight bent his head.
for he saw that fate had been too
strong for him. and he suffered her
to dwell peacefully with her loving
husband and she became famous
through the country for her beauty.
her courtesy and her goodness.
[Belgrdcid.