The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1885-07-23

ment, as if they would have rushed on
tho defenceless victim.
"Again I ask thee, woman, wilt thou
confess ?"
She shook her head despondingly,
buried her face in her hands, and MUIR
INJURED something; perhaps it was a
prayer. The mob burst once more into
commotion.
"Where are the servants of this wom-
an?-let them be put on the rack" sail
the Judge.
They have escaped" answered an
official.
Escaped" said the Judge, cha! we're
they living men or the servants of the
foul fend? Know you ought?"
II do know" said the maiden, sud-
denly rising to her feet, and speaking
with the energy OF q queen, while her
eye flashed and her bosom heaved with
excitement, land thank God they are
free, although they have left me de-
fenseless. Yes, they are free from your
fortunes. Me, you may murder with
your accursed laws, but-mark mel
shall be fearfully avenged. My
story has been truly told-so help
me Gcd"--and she raised her eyes
to heaven in abjuration, land
if die, die innocent. I tell ye am
the betrothed bride of noble. I am
more; I am the daughter of prince
And now do your worst. shall die
worthy of my race"
She sat down. Not a murmur was
heard for the space of a minute after
she had ceased. Her daring energy
awe-struck all. But what could even
bravery like hers effect against brutal,
bigoted populace? As soon as the
hearers could recover from their mo-
mentary CONSERVATION, they broke into
a whirlwind of shouts and impreca-
tions, and rushed on to the defenseless
girl: and had not the soldiery, who i'm
mediately guarded her, interposed, she
would have fallen an instant victim to
the rage Of the populace. To be torn
in pieces by mob was death too hor-
rible. She turned imploringly to the
judge, but there was no hope in his
iron face. She closed her eyes, but the
bowling mob still swan before her
vision; and when she buried her face in
her robe, and strove to shut out their
imprecations, their fierce, wild cries
still rung in her ears. At each moment
the tumult deepened. until the excite
ment of the populace became uncon-
:rollable.
away with her-she is sold to the
tiend--away-away!"
vengeance for the sufferers by her
incantations!" hoarsely growled voice
from the mob.
The Judge no longer hesitated, but
yielding to the popular current as we'll
as his own prejudices, sentenced her to
be burned at high noon of that very day.
A wild shout of exultation rose from
the frienzied mob as the sentence was
pronounced, but over all the din
swelled the fearful cry. ''To the stake
with Aer-away with the sorceress. "
1t was q few hours earlier in the
same day when a noble knight sat in a
hostelry of the little seaport town Of.
He was of siugularly imposing cast of
countenance. His features were of the
true Norman outline, with lofty in
tellectval brow, shaded by locks of the
richest chestnut hue. His cheek was
embrowned by Syrian sun until it
was of the darkest olive color, but the
clear white of his forehead, which had
been protected from exposure by his
helmet, betrayed the original purity of
his complexion. He had an eye whose
glance can only be likened to that of an
eagle. His form was tall and CON-
handing. He sat apparently absorbed
in thought but was aroused from his
reverie by the entrance of retainer.
care the horses ready?"
eyes my lord" said the man.
eve will mount into the saddle at
once then how far did they say it was to
Bourdonnis
"Six leagues"
eve shall reach it before nightfall;
lead on
The party which set forth from the
inn was a gallant sight to behold.
Knights, squires, men, arms and 9TH
er retainers swelled the escort of the
yoang count to tho number of nearly
four-score, while the pennons waving in
the air. and the occasional sound of q
trumpet gave liveliness to tho escort
which attracted the attention of the pass.
er-by of every rank and sex, and drew
many sigh of envy from them. But
who might pretend to be the equal OF
the renowned Count Garonne, crusad'
er Of untarnished fame, gallant still
in the flower of his youth and the lord
of half score of castles scattered over
the wide domain of France.
At the head of the proud array rode
the count himself, conversing gaily with
4 knight at his side, whom he Familiarity
called cousin.
! SAY, by st. Dennisw said the count
she is divinity such as even our sunny
Provence doth not afford. Such eyes
, such hair, and then, by my faith such g
voice! It panied my heart to part from
, my sweet Zilah-but she would have il
so--and so she comes in company with
Father Ambrose and q score of my best
!, knights. Her maidenly modesty die
tated this, and was forced to submit
We were separated, however, by that
heathenish storm, and I suppose he'
, galley put into Genoa. You know she
will be given away by none but the hol,
father himself, and the glad lover reign.
ed his horse, while the animal, as if par.
| taking of the masters joy curvetteo
gaily.
II long to see your princess, nor do ]
wonder at your love, since she freed
, you from Moslem prison; when shall
, greet my future cousin?'
ave shall reach Bourdonnis tonight
and -morrow--let me see-to-morrov
we shall keep OH tho Trouchet; in an.
other day We shall arrive at Genoa, ani
there we will await her, if her galley is
not already arrived.
II am all impotence to behold he1
} but look at the knave coming ove1
yonder hill. He rides like the fieni
t himself"
"Ay! and by st. Dennis he is black
, amoor;a scarcer thing here than ii
Syria. Holy father, how he dashe,
on"
, Even while they spoke the horsemar
rapidly approached, and before
| many minutes drew in the rein O