Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1886-10-02
A BRUkEN HEART.

Down in the heart Of Kent-that most
beautiful Of English countries stands
the grand old Norman castle Of Avon
leigh. Built upon gentle elevation, it
commands splendid view of the richest
scenery. Broad stretches of forest, whose
giant trees dwindle into mere atoms in
the distance. Gently undulating hills,
merging into tie bluest skies in the dim
distance, with here and there tiny
glimpse of silver sea.
1t was the year of that most disastrous in
;ernal struggle, THE War Of the Roses"
when the far flag of England was stain
ed with the blood of her noblest sons.
Lord John de Grey, the master of Avon
leigh, had already declared himself a
warm adherent of the house of York, and
when the tide Of war mingled its turbu-
lent stream with the pure and peaceful
waters of domestic life the gray-haired
earl was found fighting bravely beside his
only son.
A mellow day in autumn is drawing
to close, the soft light Of harvest
moon is contending for supremacy with
the shadows Of a sinking sun. In lit
tie while the castle is bathed in the ten
der moonlight, the clinging ivy leaves
glisten like silver and tremble from the
faintest perfumed breeze.
The earl's only daughter, Lady Miriam
fair haired maiden, with wondrous
pretty face, is down in the quaint old
garden, drawn thither by the singular
beauty of the night; and, verify, moon
never shown upon fairer form than hers,
and the flowers sent forth their sleeping
incense to greet this living 'Rose Of
Avonleigh."
AS she stopped to pluck white rose
from its thorny stem the delicate finger
was pierced and crimson drop stained
the roses purity, but no murmur escap-
ed her, and gathering up the folds of her
white robe she walked slowly back to the
.astle.
Young and beautiful, surrounded with
wealth and pleasure, this young girl knew
not what unhappiness meant; like bird
whose gilded cage shelters and protects
her, life indeed was all sunshine without
eadow.
Though rumors of war were in the air,
and men spoke in serious tones of the
strife which seemed inevitable, no
thought of danger marred the calm hap
ass Of her existence.
,-.ready she had given her heart to
young Wilfred Aylmer, as brave and
handsome 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, dimly Lighted hall
way Lady Miriam walked slowly and
almost unconsciously, clasping the now
half crimson rose to her bosom, until she
reached her fathers study.
The old earl sat in profound thought,
and did not heed the soft football until
the tender cheek was hid against his
own.
"Whst dark-brown study my dear
father is in," murmured the sweet voice.
The earl's face was seemed and shad-
owed with care as he lifted his head, and
a sudden paleness overspread his feat
ures when he saw the white rose which
she laughingly held up to his gaze.
81 was thinking of you, my pearl" he
replied, drawing the fair head down to
him, and kissing the sweet, childish
"but now that you are here" he
added, 'like gieam of sunlight among
my shadows, am no longer sad" But
seeing shade of ps;a in her eyes be
added hastily.
81 was indeed thinking of the time
when someone would rob me of the fair
EST flower in my garden of roses"
She chided him lovingly for thinking
too soon. with her accustomed pray
or and good night kiss left him.
>Up the wide staircase she goes, slowly |
and thoGghtfully, now through the great
picture gallery, where the old-fashioned
but beautiful faces Of other Lady Mir
Rms looked down upon her. Was it the
weird moonlight that made those dead
faces seem to bend from their stiff frames |
and cause CLEAN Of sadness to light the
dead eyes that seemed to follow her as
she passed beneath them?
She soon reached her favorite room,
high in the west wing, q cozy nook,
where she loved to look upon the moon
light scene without and inhale the faint |
fragrance Of the garden beneath.
Lady Miriam's life had indeed been
like the unruff1ed bosom of clear, calm
lake. Her placid bosom had never been
disturbed BY q sad thought. True,
within hepast few months her heart had
awakened, bud-iike, to the new and sweet |
knowledge Of another love. That very
she had been plghted to Sir
Wilfred Aylwer, and their marriage
would be solomnized when this war
cloud had rolled past.
Long and sadly the earl unused that |
night; his heart was full of foreboding |
Of coming sorrow. What If in this war |
which every day seemed more imminen |
he should fall? What If this, his one
eve lamb, should be left orphaned-deso-
late. He tried to drive away mis- gloomy |
by recalling the sweet face Of
her who had just left him with words of
ove and hope, and prayed that this ''bit-
:er chalice" might pass away.
But, alas! month later saw the rival