The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-08

loved her and always would, put tnht hS
 was too well assured that his love was
 not returned to speak more of 1t to Amy.
 "Oh, fatal ambition that has enveloped
 me in these toilsr' cried Leicester. And,
 oh! Villain Varney who whispered poison
 in my ear and robbed me of my honor!
 And he thought to himself: ''I must have
 been mad when pressed my suit yester-
 day with the Queen "Come, said nc
 suddenly, i've will to the Queen. Will
 make the only reparation possible, ana
 then for Cumnor to beg forgiveness or
 Amy
 Leicester reached the castle in advance
 of Tressilian and when the Cornishman
 entered the great hall he found 1t flled
 with astonished cOurtiers, who gathered
 in whispering groups, ever and anon turh-
 ing their eyes to the door, which led lhto
 the Queens withdrawing room. Raleish
 pointed to the door Tresslian knocked
 and was instantly admitted
 He found himself not without strong palpitaton of the heart, in the presence of Elizabeth, who was walking 10 ana fro In violent agitation, which two or | three of her most sage councillors vainly attempted to calm Before the empty chair of state from which she had started i, knelt Leicester, his arms crossed and ms 1 eyes bent on the ground. The Earl ] sword was unbuckled and lay on the | ground before him, while over him stood
 
 | Lord Shrewsbury, Marshal or Engiahd' l holding his baton of office.
 "Ho. sirl' cried the Queen, sweeping up to Tresslian and stamping her foot after the manner of her father, Henry You knew of this pretty business iou are an accomplice in this deception. Art dumb, srrah? Thou kneWest oi tnls "i fair, didst thou not?
 Not gracious madam. that this poor lady was Countess of Leicester, replied Tresslian.
 "Nor shall any one know her for such!' cried the Queen. "I say Dame Amy Dua- ley and well if she have not cause to write herself widow of the traitor Ropert Dudley"
 Teieester ventured to say that Tres silian was guiltless of any wrong and ! EIizabe turned on the disgraced Earl the torrent of her invective. ."rbou doubly false-thou doubly for
 sworn. whose villany has made me fi- diculous in the eyes of my subjects and odious to myself. Oh, l could tear my eyes out for their blindness!
 Rurleieh. watching for Q favorable op- portunity. took the Queen by the hand | and, led her into n recess, where ne | spoke to her in that soothing and father- ly way which his long service ana Vehef- , able years gave him the privilege or us- ing, From her talk with Burleigh, Ellz- , calm and regal-every inch a queen. The : sliyhted and jealous woman had disap- peared and in her place stood England sovereign.
 My Lord of Shrewsbury she said, i've discharge you of your trust. My lord of Leicester, rise up and take your sword" Leicester ventured to try some cajoling flatteries and protestations In a low voice to the Queen. She cried:
 Speak up, my Lord, so that all may hear What ho! My lords, come and linear the news. My Lord of Lecester's
 stolen marriage has. it seems, cost me l husband and England King. Is not l this too insolent and ridiculous! HIS Lordship 1t seems, is patriarchal in his 1 tastes-one wife was not enough and he designed, us the honor of his left hand. 1 I could be angry with this fellow. yet methinks can most pity him as l could | a child whose bubble Of soap has purst 1 in his hands. Master Tressilian, you and
 Raleigh shall go. at once to cumnor ana bring hither the Countess of Leicester | Her husband will stay here where we l purpose to spend some days more as his guest"
 1 As fast as horses could be urged. Ra- | leigh and Tressiian sped toward the ] place of Amys captivity. Tressilian ex- l plainng the situation to Raleigh as they rode. By command of the Queen they 4 1 and an officer charged to arrest Foster. l Vayney and the astrologer Alasco. Meantime Amy and her captors had l been nearing Cumnor. About midnight | Varney heard the sound of a horse hard I ridden coming up from the rear Order 1 ing the others to press on, he fingered 1 behind to see who might be following l him Presently up rode up Michael Lam !! bourne, and delivered the letter of the l Earl. at the same time. for he was par
 tially drunk. saying to Varney that he ! strewdly suspected his game was up and ! Leicester had written him to forego all l designs against the Countess Varney 1 at once sounded him on his willingness to 1 help remove that obstacle" pointing | to the litter ahead. Lambourne replied l insolently and declared he would expose ! Varney and all his treachery. 1 The two were alone. Lambourne knew , too much. Varney felt sure the letter ] contained revocation of the words the i Earl had said upon their parting. There ] was but one way. Quick as lightning 1 he drew hie pistol and shot Lambourne | threw the head Then, rifling his pock- | cts to make 1t appear that he had been 1 killed by highwaymen. Varney put spurs , to his horse and rejolned his companions. At cumnor. Amy. weeping. trembling and praying for mercy. was placed in the chamber usually occupied by Antho- ny Foster. as being more secure than the l apartments formerly occupied by her. | The stairs leading to this chamber gave l on narrow wooden gallery. which was so arranged that by pulling rope the
 wooden floor dropped down. precdpitattng
 whoever stood on 1t into the abyss -of