Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1890-02-23
THE LlDT PENELOPE.

battlemented towers. Though still of good
capacity, the building is much reduced
from its original grand proportions and
shorn of the fair estate which once apper-
tanned to it, except few acres of park.
This was formerly the seat of the ancient
and knightly family of the Drenghards, or
Drenchards, now extinct in the male line.
In the early part of the reign of the first
King James there was visiting near this
place of the Drenghards lady of noble
family and extraordinary beauty. Her
beauty was so perfect, and her manner so
enhancing that suitors seemed to spring
out of the ground wherever she went, a
sufficient cause of anxiety to the Countess,
her mother. Ofthese there were three, whom
her mothers complaints of prematurity,
nor the ready railery of the maiden could
not effectuaily put off, Sir John Gale, Sir
William Hervy and Sir George Drenghard,
one of the Drenghard family. They had
all been honored with knighthood, and
their schemes for seeing her were mani
fold. So heated and imprisoned, indeed,
would they become, that the lady hardly
felt herself safe in their company, notwith-
standing that she was brave and buxom
damsel.
On one of these occasions, unusually
bitter, threatening to result IN duel, she
found it necessary to assert herself. Turn
ing haughtily upon the pair OF disputants
she declared that whichever should be the
first to break the peace between them,
whatever the provocation, than man should
never be admitted to her presence again.
While the two knights were wearing
rather a crestfallen appearance at her
reprimand, the third came upon the scene,
and she repeated her caveat to him.
'Have patience, have patience, you fool
ish men Bide your time, and, in faith, /
will marry you all in turn
They laughed heartily at this sally, as
though they were the best of friends.
In the course of time the position re-
solved itself, and Lady Penelope made up
| her mind, her choice being the eldest of
the three, Sir George Drenghard, owner OF
the mansion aforesaid. Her husband be-
show that she had reckoned wisely.
| In the course of few months the hus-
band of her choice died of his conviviali-
ties, and Lady Penelope was left mistress
of his house. Then Sir John Gale APP
peared at her door as early in her widow
hood as was proper.
| She gave him little encouragement, for
of the two her best beloved was Sir Will
lam. But he had not yet reappeared. Hel
heart began to be so much with him now
that she contriyed to convey to him by in
direct hints that she would not be dis
pleased by a renewal of his former atten
tons. Sir William misapprehended hel
gentle signaling, and delayed TO intrude
himself Meanwhile Sir John, now created
baronet, was unremitting.
"Never mind" her friends said jestingly
to her. "Never mind why hesitate upon
the order of them? Take 'em as they
come"
This vexed her, and regretting deeply
that such a careless speech should ever
have passed her lips, she fairly broke dowr
under Sir Johns importantly and accepted
his hand. They were married on fine
spring morning, about the very time Sin
William discovered her preference for him
fSir William suffered at her precipi
fancy Lady Penelope suffered more. She
had not long been the wife of Sir Johr
Gale before he showed disposition to re
taliate upon her for the trouble and delay
she had put him to. He would tell hel
that, as far as he could perceive, she was
an article not worth such labor as he had
bestowed in obtaining it, and such snub
bings as he had taken from his rivals on
the same account. These and other cIue
things he repeated till he made the lady
weep sorely, and well-nigh broke hel
spirit. By degrees it became perceptible
to all her friends that her life was a very
unhappy one.
But such is the fiippancy of friends,
that when she met them and secretly con.
ided her grief to their ears, they would
say cheerily, "Never mind, there's third
one 10 come yet p at which maladroit re.
| mark she would show much Indignation
| and tell them they should know better
than to trife on such solemn theme.
In the meantime Sir William, sorely
loving her, left for foreign parts and dis
| appeared.
Two or three years of suffering were
passed by Lady Penelope as the despised
and chidden wife of Sir John, amid re-
grets that she had so greatly mistaken
| him. and signs for one whom she thought
| never to see again, till it CHANGED that her
husband fell sick. One day when she was
sitting in his room looking from the win
dow she beheld approaching the house on
| foot a form she seemed to know. Pene-
lope withdrew from the sick room and de-
scended to the hall, whence she saw enter
ing between the round towers Sir William
Hervy looking thin and trayelvarn. She
advanced to meet him.
81 was passing through CasterDridge,"
he said with faltering Difference, "and l
walked out to ask after your ladyship's
health and to pay my respects to your
good husband. But o, Penelope, th'st
look sick and sorry"
81 am heart-sick, that's all" said she.
"He does not treat zee WELL" said Sir
William in a low voice. "May God in
heaven forgive him; but it is asking a
great deal
"Hush, hush p said she.
"Nay, but l will speak what l may
honestly say. l am not under your roof,
and my tongue is free. Why didst not
wait for me, Penelope, or send to me a
EOIc Overt ietttr L NOuiu nave lIdFeieu
night and day TO come p
"Too late, William; you must not ask it.
My husband just now is unwell. He will
grow better in day or two, may be- You
must call again and see him before you
leave
Their eyes met. Each was thinking of
her lightsome words about taking them in
turn; each thought that two-thirds of
that promise had been fulfilled. But, as
if it were unpleasant to her that this re-
collection should have arisen, she spoke
quickly: "Come again in a day or two,
when my husband will be well enough to
see you"
Sir William departed, and she returned
to Sir Johns chamber. He, rising from
his pillow, said: "To whom hast been
talking, wife, in the courtyard? / heard
voices there"
az do not wish to tell you now" said
she.
But l would know p
sSir William Hervy.n
"By G.! thought as much A slulk-
ing villain A sick mans ears are keen,
my lady. / heard that they were lover
like tones, and he called zee by your Chris
tian name. These be your intrigues, my