El Paso daily herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1881-1901, 1901-01-19
TheRep0rter'SViSi

umn of Tewkesbury church. So, having
secured admittance. he wandered abou,
among the tombs.
.sVbot wonderful man were tbeser,
..,',xt,t IT,, ~ l1r,,,,,,oa ,,.;tt, In.
'nousn. III" "S H win III"
sen. nat pity that .hey are III
dead and have been IN history SO long
that nothing concerning them could now
be considered news, There's an old fel,
low, now" said Tom, sitting down upon
a stone bench in a convenient nook and
regarding one of these moss grown rec
ords of departed greatness, "that would
make my fortune if he were living now,
and could send a report of what he had
to say for himself to The National Bal
LOOM
1t was the tomb of Bithric, earl of
Gloucester, which Tom regarded as he
spoke. Tom began to feel a little drow-
sy, though he AYERS distinctly that he
did not sleep.
A sigh aroused him at last, and he
looked up. An immense being, clad in
stone colored armor and leaning on a
shield, stood close beside him, regarding
Bithric's tomb-only the tomb, for the
statue was gone
Tom started, shivered and, rising, has
tily made n bow. The figure bowed in
reply. Tom felt thankful that in it's pom
derous politeness it did not topple down
upon him.
"1-I-Pm delighted, I'm sure" said
Tom. live q little appointment with
q man where I'm putting up. II you'll
allow Inc to pass, I'll CO."
But the figure did not stir. 1t simply
turned it's stony head toward Tom and
rolled forth from the lips under the he'll
met these words:
Il am Bithric. earl of Gloucester
Good gracious!' said Tom. Then, de-
spite his terror the ruling passion reas-
serted itself. and he began with Bithric,
earl of Gloucester. as he did with other
frequently interviewed worthless. cit
must be very gratifying to read the rec
ords of your former triumphs, SIR" said
Tom.
Read! My father made soldiers of his
sons, not clerks. But if you are a clerk.
sir
'Oh, no; I'm not" said Tom, thinking
of dry goods stores and saying to himself
(this aloud, I'm a reporter"
The being gazed on Tom for a moment
and then repeated:
Il am Bithric, earl of Gloucester"
This time Tom put it down in short
hand.
was one on whom women always
looked kindly" said the warrior. crossing
his hands upon his sword. but l had a
women. Let the others smile upon me as
they might. only Althea. Alas. she is
changed. even as am!
GU should have seen me when 1 went
upon an embassy to Normandy. My hair
fell to my shoulders. my beard fell to my
waist. They were of red gold. My shout
ders were n cloth yard from tip to tip. l
was worthy of Althea's love. We plight
ed our troth again. placed a ring upon
her finger, and she gave me tress of
her soft hair
Forget me not for any Norman dam
sci, saith she.
Saith l, On earth there is no damsel
worth looking on when one hath looked
on thee And kissed her. and we part
ed. 49,
"A httie AFTER ana was among the
shaver Normans. And had fulfilled my
mission and was Hospitality entreated by
Baldwin. duke of Flanders, and paid
my duty to his daughter. the beautiful
Matilda.
Handsome girl, sir!" asked Tom.
''She was fair to look upon. Her eyes
were black and her hair, braided with
jewels. was black as night. She led me
on to WOO her by many a womanly vile.
but conld not forget my Saxon Althea.
Il seemed to heed her not. so her love
waxed hotter. She wept and said none
in Normandy had any of her heart. At
last she whispered that If l fain would
be her true knight l might even be SO.
Il thanked her for her courtesy and
kindness and for the honor that she
would have done me. but which l must
decline. She pointed to the door.
Co she said. Leave tie castle and
the land. but remember my love is all
changed to hate, and I will have re-
venge.'
81 went back to England. l found
Althea true. I wooed and won her. But
even ere she was my bride news came to
me that Matilda was married to Duke
William of NOrmandy And I was clad