Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1911-04-08
A MEDIEVAL
Love STORY
A Tryst, a Duel and a Flight
on Horseback.

The Lady Agatha stood In the green
wood listening. She was the daughter
of one with royal blood In his veins,
and in such families 1t is we'll known
that love plays no part in marriage.
Yet Love had come unbiddenr to the
Lady Agatha, and she was playing
with one of his sharp arrows. A young
soldier came through the trees and
Joined her.
"I have bad news for you, Ny father
announced to me today that was to
wed Count Alfred"
The young man. quailed as Ii struck
by blighting wind. ITO lose you, ana
to him, my bitter enemy!" he moaned.
"Herbert. be strong, for my sake!
And, throwing her arms about him, sne
wept on his shoulder.
"There is no hopper"
"There is. Count Albert will not
force me to marry him IL tell him
that such marriage would be re-
pulsive to me-"
HE will follow his inclination.
Agatha, choose now between me and
him. II you choose me. meet me here
tomorrow evening at sunset and be
ready to go with me. ] have found
favor with the king. who, IL we are
once married, will give me preferment
and his influence with your father"
She hesitated moment, then whis'
pered: Il am yours. VIII meet you
here"
That evening the earl. her father,
summoned her to his apartments.
There with him was the Count Alfred
agatha said the earl, '"this Is your
betrothed. leave you with him.
trusting that your first interview may
result in your being mutually pleased
with each other With that he with
drew. Agatha threw herself at the
counts feet.
"Your highness," she said, 81 am go
ing to trust myself to your mercy. !
do not love you. love another. Tell
my father that you resign me-"
"What you ask is impossible. Our
union will heal breach between two
important families. The king desires
It."
1.-THE man ! would wed is' I'm favor
with the king. We will go to him for
his consent"
"When"
Tomorrow evening. Give us but till
then and all may be well with u.s."
"Giye me your confidence. and j VIII
help you"
Agatha gave the hour and place, OF
meeting, but resolutely refused to give
her lovers name.
The count withdrew muttering: u
have a delicate role to play. must
find out who the lover Is, then take
means to get rid Of him without APP
pearing in the case"
The next morning Count Alfred told
the earl of his interview, and the Lazy
Agatha was locked In her room. Al
sunset Herbert repaired to the green.
wood and waited impatiently. 1t was
past the hour set and the twilight was
deepening when a figure concealed In Q
long robe came toward him. He Won
dered how Agatha could look so tall
The figure came on and stopped before
him. Then suddenly the robe was
thrown OF. revealing Count Alfred.
81 came" he said, Intending to con-
| ceal my identity, but since you are the
man who intends to thrust yourself
among those immeasurably above you
1 have stepped out Of my disguise e
| give you the chastisement you merit"
Nothing could be more welcome"
Both drew rapiers and placed them
selves on guard. A fun moon shont
| above the, horizon, giving sufficient
| light, glistening ON the polished blades
which gave the sound OF steel against
| steel 1t was short fight. Count Al
bert was SO accustomed to contempt
| for his interiors in birth that he was
not as careful as his wont, but he wal
good swordsman and fought well
| Herbert fought with hope that the
issue might give him the girl he loved
At last a ray Of moonlight reflected
| from his adversary's sword shone In
| Count Aibert's eye, momentarily blind
ing him. Before he could recover Her
bert's rapier had pierced his body. Ht
would have fought on, but loss OF blood
weakened him, and he tainted.
Herbert. turning from him, saw hii
robe lying near and. putting II ON, wen
toward the castle. Boldly entering, hs
asked where was the Lady Agatha
sIu a CHAMBER In the round toweE.'
was TIM rzply. Qqtng thsrsf hy saX-s