Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1886-11-25
A BROKEN HEART.
"a MARY MAHoSEY.

beautiful of English counties
stands the grand old Norman castle of
Avonleigh. Built upon gentle elevation
il commands a splendid view Of the rich
est scenery. Broad stretches of forest,
whose giant trees dwindle into mere
atoms in the distance Gently undulating
hills merging into the blucst skies in the
the dim distance, with here and there a
tiny glimpse OF silver sea.
Ii was the eve of that most disastrous
internal struggle "The War of the Roses
when the fair flag of England was stained
with the blood of her noblest sons. Lord
John de Grey. the master of Ayonleigh,
had already declared himself q warm ad-
hereit of the house of York, and when
the tide of war mingled its turbulent
stream with the pure and peaceful waters
Of domestic life, the gray-haired Earl
was found bravely fighting beside his
only son.
A mellow day in autumn is drawing to
close the soft light of "A harvest moon
is contending for supremacy with the
shadows of the sinking sun. In a little
while the castle is bathed in the tender
moonlight, the clinging ivy leaves glisten
like silver and treuhlr from the faintest
perfumed breeze,
The Earl's only daughter, Lady Mir
lam, ii fair-haired maiden, with wonder
curly beautiful face is down in the quaint
old garden, drawn thither by the singu-
lar beauty of the night and, verify, moon
never shown upon fairer form than
hers, and the flowers sent forth their
sleeping incense togreet this living" Rose
OF Ayonleigh.'
A. she stopped TO pluck a white rose
from It's thoruy stem the delicate finger
was pierced and crimson drop stained
the roses purity, but no murmur escaped
her, and gathering up the folds OF her
white robe she walked slowly back to the
castle.
Young and beautiful, surrounded with
wealth and pleasures, this young girl
knew not what unhappiness meant; like a
bird whose giided cage protects and shell
ters her, life indeed was all sunshine with
out q shadow.
Though rumOrs Of war were IN the air,
aud men spoke in serious tones of the
strife which seemed inevitable, no thought
of danger married the calm happiness Of
her existence
Already She had given her heart to
yoEug Nilfred Aylmer, as brave and
handsome a youth as the sun ever shone
upon, and whose strong, young arm shall
also be welded IN the cause Of the noble
house of York.
Through the wide dinly lighted hall
way Lady Miriam walked slowly and al
most mconsciously, clasping the now half
crimsoued rose to her bosom, until she
reached her fathers study.
The old Earl sat in profound thought,
ANA he did not heed the soft football uu-
Ill a tender cheek was lai against his
own
"Nhat a dark brown study my dear
father is H." mulmured the sweet
voice,
The Earls face wac scanned and shadow
cd with care ms he lifted his head and a
sudden paleue-s oyerspread his features
when he saw the white rose which she
lauehipgly held up to his gazo.
81 was thinking of you my pearl he
replied. drawing the fair Aead down TO
hlm and kissing the sweet childish
Wouth &ut now that you are here" he
added like o CLEAN of sunshine among
my shadows, / ann no longer sad" But
seeing % shade OF pain in her eyes he
added hastily:
81 was indeed thinking Of lhc time
when some ONE would rob me of the
fajre-' flower in my gurdcu of roses"
She ohided hum lovingly for thinking
TOO SOON, and with her accustomed prayer
and good night kiss, lett him
tp the wide staircase she goes, slowly
and thoughtfuliy now through the great
riciufe gallery. where theold-Cushioued
but heaUjtui faces of other Lady Mini
aH- looked doSu upon her. Was it the
"gtu moonlight that made those dead