He swept the heavy blade round in a gleaming circle. It caught her white throat, and the golden head, with its coronal of vine-leaves, rolled at his feet, her headless body fell along the track of moonlight. Her white dress lapped up the crimson stream that ran over the dark floor. A heavy cloud scudded across the moon. antiquary will light upon it, and it will be found to contain the skull of a woman, a few decayed pearls, and perhaps, a lock or two of undimmed hair of purest gold--for hair sometimes outlives the decay of ages. He left The Grange estate to Anna, Lady Usher, only stipulating that the picture-gallery should be pulled down, and never rebuilt. Lady Jane lived to see her son's ring fence carried round The SOME twenty years afterward, when the horrible and myste-Grange, and, I suppose, rested happier under her monumental rious murder of Androsia Grace had become a story to be told marble, in that she had "beheld the desire of her eyes." shudderingly, round the yule log, and Lord and Lady Usher The disappearance of Androsia Grace's head, so fearful and were elderly people, with sons and daughters growing up round mysterious, remained ever unexplained, and, as I have said, it them, Mr. Grace returned to Ivy Grange to die. Soon after remains for some savant of future ages to light upon the true the death of his wife, he had written from Greece, contradict-reading of the riddle, should the legend of her fate survive ing the story of his death, but he had not returned to England until then. until now. He died, and was buried beside his wife, and with him was buried a small iron casket, soldered and riveted, and which he had ever kept at his side. In future ages, some enthusiastic NOT that which men do worthily, but that which they do successfully, is what history hastens to record. A WALLACHIAN WOMAN. THE dress of the Wallachian peasant girl recalls the classic days of Greece and Italy, and affords fine studies for painting and sculpture. It varies, however, considerably with the district. Married women cover their heals with a light white linen, gracefully framing the face, and falling on the shoulders. The countenances of this fine race of women express a stronger will, and more intelligence, than those of the other sex. They spend their Sunday afternoons in dancing beneath the trees. THE HOSPITAL DE CARIDAD, SEVILLE, SPAIN. THIS famous hospital is built with the façade parallel with the equally famous river of the Guadalquiver. It is ornamented with five grand designs, formed of azure, and is decorated with It is said, so realistic is this production, that even Murillo himself was in the habit of holding his nose when he looked at this marvel of art. INTERIOR OF A HOUSE IN BETHLEHEM. BETHLEHEM and Calvary are, beyond all question, the two most solemn spots on earth. One was the birth-place, and the other the death-place, of our Saviour. We give onthis page a picture of the interior of one of the modern houses of that village, which cannot fail to be regarded with the deepest interest. Bethlehem is in Syria, and contains a large convent, inclosing the spot on which the manger stood where the Saviour of the World was born. In 325 the Empress Helena erected a church in the form of a cross, called the Chapel of the Nativity. Another chapel was afterward founded near it, called the great taste. INTERIOR OF A HOUSE TN BETHLEHEM, SYRIA. If we may credit tradition, these are painted Chapel of Joseph, and soon after that a third, dedicated to the after the designs of Murillo. This hospital, which was existing in the sixteenth century, was reconstructed in 1664, by a gentleman of Seville, Don Miguel de Leca, who had led an extremely disorderly life. He rebuilt this hospital as an expiation of his sins, and before he died he composed his own epitaph, which runs thus : Here lie the ashes of the worst man that ever lived." Holy Innocents. Bethlehem, even to this very day, is much visited by pilgrims. In 1257 an Order of monks, called the Bethlemites, was flourishing in England. AN ADVENTURE WITH A BEAR. THE wonderful sagacity which animals display in the various It was founded to serve as an asylum to the poor persons who emergencies to which they are subject make their instinct very wandered in the night without a home; also to assist the male- often more than a match for the reason of man. Mr. Simpson factors condemned to death, and to give them burial. It is at relates that one of his half-breed fur-hunters told him that on present under the care of the Order of St. Vincent de Paul. In one occasion he and his companion, who were in a substantial the chapel are the two chefs-d'œuvre of Murillo, namely, "Moses canoe, thought they had a bear without any chance of escape, Striking the Rock," and the "Miracle of the Loaves and Fishes." but just as they were about to seize their captive, he climbed There are also several minor works of the great painter, besides up a tree that was erect in the water which had overspread the a frightful painting by Juan Valdes Leal, representing a coffin, spot, and escaped. They very well knew that a bear can go from the opening of which you can see a bishop, clothed in the without food for an almost incredible length of time, so they most magnificent robes, but whose body is half-eaten by worms. I had to give up all idea of starving the creature into a surrender. AFTER MANY DAYS THE light is fading down the sky, But I have borne with toil and wrong Dim dreams my drowsy senses drown, My lifes's brief Spring went wasted by, I learned to hunger, strive, and wait; I found thee, love-Oh! wretched Fate !- Now Autumn comes, with fading flower, Blest love, the harvest moon doth wane : Sweet rest, sweet rest! Thy love my soul's sufficient crown- THE FAIR WITH GOLDEN HAIR. A FAIRY STORY. NCE upon a time there was a king's daughter, who was so handsome there was nothing in the world to be compared with her for beauty, and she was called the Fair with Golden Hair: because her locks were like the finest gold, marvelously bright, and falling all in ringlets to her feet. She always appeared with her hair flowing in curls about her, crowned with flowers, and her dresses embroidered with diamonds and pearls. However it might be, it was impossible to see her without loving her. There was a young king amongst her neighbors, who was unmarried, handsome, and very rich. When he heard all that was said about the Fair with Golden Hair, although he had never seen her, he felt so deeply in love with her, that he could neither eat nor drink, and therefore resolved to send an ambassador to ask her hand in marriage. He had a magnificent coach made for this ambassador, gave him upward of a hundred horses and as many servants, and charged him particularly not to return without the princess. From the moment that the envoy had taken leave of the king, the whole court talked of nothing else; and the king, who never doubted that the Fair with Golden Hair would consent to his proposal, ordered immediately fine dresses and splendid furniture to be prepared for her. While the workmen were hard at work, the ambassador arrived at the fair one's court and delivered his little message; but whether she was that day out of temper, or that the compliment was not agreeable to her, she answered the ambassador that she thanked the king, but had no inclination to marry. The ambassador quitted the court of the princess very lowspirited at not being able to bring her with him. He carried back all the presents he had been the bearer of from the king, for the princess was very prudent, and was perfectly aware that young ladies should never receive gifts from bachelors; so she declined accepting the beautiful diamonds and the other valuable articles, and only retained, in order not to affront the king, a quarter of a pound of English pins. When the ambassador reached the capital city of the king, where he was so impatiently awaited, everybody was afflicted that he did not bring back with him the Fair with Golden Hair, and the king began to cry like a child. They endeavored to console him, but without the least success. There was a youth at court who was as beautiful as the sun, and had the finest figure in the kingdom. On account of his graceful manners and his intelligence, he was called Avenant. Everybody loved him, except the envious, who were vexed that the king conferred favors on him, and confided to him his affairs. Avenant was in company with some persons who were talking of the return of the ambassador, and saying he had done no good. "If the king had sent me to the Fair with Golden Hair," said he to them, carelessly, "I am certain she would have returned with me." These mischief-makers went immediately to the king, and said: "Sire, you know not what Avenant asserts-that if you had sent him to the Fair with Golden Hair, he would have brought her back with him. Observe his malice! He pretends that he is handsomer than you, and that she would have been so fond of him that she would have followed him anywhere." At this the king flew into a rage-a rage so terrible that he was quite beside himself. "Ha! ha!" he cried, "this pretty minion laughs at my misfortune, and values himself above me! Go!-fling him into the great tower, and let him starve to death!" The royal guards hastened in search of Avenant, who had quite forgotten what he had said. They dragged him to prison, inflicting a thousand injuries upon him. The poor youth had only a little straw to lie upon, and would soon have perished but for a tiny sprin that trickled through the foundations of the tower, and of which he drank a few drops to refresh himself, his mouth being parched with thirst. One day, when he was quite exhausted, he exclaimed, with a heavy sigh: "What does the king complain of; he has not a subject more loyal than I am. I have never done anything to offend him!" The king by chance passed close to the tower, and hearing the voice of one he had loved so dearly, he stopped to listen, notwithstanding those who were with him, who hated Avenant, and said to the king: "What interests you, sire? Do you not know he is a rogue?" The king replied: "Leave me alone; I would hear what he has to say." Having listened to his complaints, the tears stood in his eyes. He opened the door of the tower and called to the prisoner. Avenant came, and knelt before him in deep sorrow, and kissed his feet. "What have 1 done, sire, that I am thus severely treated ?" "Thou hast made game of me, and of my ambassador," answered the king. "Thou hast boasted that if I had sent thee to the Fair with Golden Hair, thou wouldst certainly have brought her back with thee." "It is true, sire," rejoined Avenant, "that I should have so impressed her with the sense of your majesty's high qualities, that I feel persuaded she could not have refused you; and in saying that, sire, I uttered nothing that could be disagreeable to you." The king saw clearly that Avenant was innocent. He cast an angry look upon the traducers of his favorite, and brought him away with him, sincerely repenting the wrong he had done to him. After giving him an excellent supper, he called him into his cabinet, and said to him: "Avenant, I still love the Fair with Golaen Hair; her refusal has not discouraged me: but I know not what course to take to induce her to marry me. I am tempted to send thee to her to see if thou couldst succeed." Avenant replied that he was ready to obey him in everything, and that he would set out the next day. "Hold," said the king; "I would give thee a splendid equipage." "It is unnecessary," answered Avenant; "I need only a good horse, and letters of credence from your majesty." The king embraced him, for he was delighted to find him | self in a suit of brocade, with a plume of carnation and white prepared to start so quickly. It was on a Monday morning that he took leave of the king and his friends to proceed on his embassy, quite alone, and without pomp or noise. His mind was occupied solely with schemes to induce the Fair with Golden Hair to marry the king. He had a writing-case in his pocket, and when a happy idea occurred to him for his introductory address, he alighted from his steed and seated himself under the trees to commit it to paper, so that he might not forget anything. One morning that he had set out at the first peep of day, in passing through a large meadow, a charming idea came into his head. He dismounted, and seated himself beside some willows and poplars which were planted along the bank of a little river | that ran by the edge of the meadow. After he had made his note, he looked about him, delighted to find himself in so beautiful a spot. He perceived on the grass a large gilded carp gasping, and nearly exhausted, for, in trying to catch some little flies, it had leaped so far out of the water that it had fallen on the grass, and was all but dead. Avenant took pity upon it, and, although it was a fast day, and he might have carried it off for his dinner, he picked it up and put it gently back into the river. As soon as my friend, the carp, felt the freshness of the water, she began to recover herself, and glided down to the very bottom, then rising again joyously to the bank of the stream, "Avenant," said she, "I thank you for the kindness you have done me; but for you I should have died. You have saved me; I will do as much for you." After this little compliment she darted down again into the water, leaving Avenant much surprised at her intelligence and great civility. Another day, as he continued his journey, he saw a crow in great distress. The poor bird was pursued by a large eagle (a great devourer of crows), which had nearly caught it, and would have swallowed it like a lentil if Avenant had not felt compassion for its misfortune. feathers; combed and powdered himself, washed his face, put a richly embroidered scarf round his neck, with a little basket, and in it a beautiful little dog, which he had bought as he came through Bologna. Avenant was so handsome, so amiable, and did every thing with so much grace, that when he presented himself at the palace gate, the guards saluted him most respectfully, and they ran to inform the Fair with Golden Hair, that Avenant, ambassador from the king, her nearest neighbor, requested to be presented to her. At the name of Avenant, the princess said: he is a pretty fellow, and pleases everybody." 66 "Yes, in sooth, madame," exclaimed all her maids of honor; we saw him from the loft in which we were dressing your flax, and as long as he remained under the windows we could do no work." "Very pretty," replied the Fair with Golden Hair; " amusing yourselves with looking at young men! Here, give me my grand gown of blue embroidered satin, and arrange my fair hair very tastefully; get me some garlands of fresh flowers, my. high-heeled shoes, and my fan. Let them sweep my presencechamber, and dust my throne; for I would have him declare everywhere that I am truly the Fair with Golden Hair.” All her women hastened to attire her like a queen. They were in such a hurry that they ran against each other, and made scarcely any progress. At length, however, the princess passed into the great gallery of mirrors, to see if anything was wanting, and then ascended her throne of gold, ivory, and ebony, which emitted a perfume like balsam, and commanded her maids of honor to take their instruments, and sing very softly, so as not to confuse any one. Thus," he cried, "do the strong oppress the weak. What without her. right has the eagle to eat the crow?'' He seized his bow and arrow, which he always carried with him, and taking a good aim at the eagle, "whizz!" he sent the shaft right through its body. It fell dead, and the crow, enraptured, came and perched on a tree. "Avenant," it cried to him, "it was very generous of you to thus succor me, I who am only a poor crow; but I will not be ungrateful; I will do as much for you." Avenant admired the good sense of the crow, and resumed his journey. Entering a great wood so early in the morning that there was scarcely light enough for him to see his road, he heard an owl screeching, like an owl in despair. 66 "Gentle Avenant," she replied, "the arguments you have adduced are all of them exceedingly good, and I assure you I should be very happy to favor you more than another, but you must know that about a month ago I was walking by the river side, with all my ladies in waiting, and in pulling off my glove in order to take some refreshment that was served me, I drew from my finger a ring, which unfortunately fell into the stream. I valued it more than my kingdom. I leave you to imagine the grief its loss occasioned me. I have made a vow never to listen to any offers of marriage, if the ambassador, who proposes the husband, does not restore to me my ring. You now see, therefore, what you have to do in this matter, for though you should Hey-day!" said he, "here's au owl in great affliction. It talk to me for a fortnight, night and day, you would never perhas been caught, perhaps in some net." He searched on all sides, and at last discovered some large nets, which had been spread by fowlers during the night to catch small birds. "What a pity," said he, "that men are only made to torment each other, or to persecute poor animals which do them no wrong or mischief." He drew his knife and cut the cords. The owl took flight, but returning swiftly on the wing, "Avenant," it cried, "it is needless for me to make a long speech to enable you to comprehend the obligation I am under to you; it speaks plainly enough for itself. The hunters would soon have been here. had been taken, I had been dead, but for your assistance. have a grateful heart; I will do as much for you." I I These were the three most important adventures which befell Avenant on his journey. He was so eager to reach the end of it, that he lost no time in repairing to the palace of the Fair with Golden Hair. Everything about it was admirable. There were diamonds to be seen in heaps, as though they were pebbles. Fine clothes, sweetmeats, money-the most wonderful sight that ever was seen; and Avenant thought in his heart, if he could persuade the princess to leave all this to go to the king, his master, he should be very lucky indeed. He dressed him suade me to change my mind.' Avenant was much surprised at this answer: he made the princess a low bow, and begged her to accept the little dog, the basket, and the scarf; but she replied that she would receive no presents, and bade him go and reflect on what she had said to him. When he returned to his lodgings, he went to bed without eating any supper, and his little dog, whose name was Cabriolle, would take none himself, and went and laid down beside his master. All night long Avenant never ceased sighing. "Where can I hope to find a ring that fell a month ago into a great river?" said he; "it would be folly to attempt looking for it. The princess only named this condition to me because she knew it was impossible to fulfill it." And then he sighed again and was very sorrowful. Cabriolle, who heard him, said: "My dear master, I entreat you not to despair of your good fortune: you are too amiable not to be happy. Let us go to the river side as soon as it is daylight." Avenant gave him two little pats, without saying a word, and, worn out with grieving, fell asleep. Cabriolle, as soon as he saw daybreak, frisked about so that he waked Avenant, and said to him: "Dress yourself, master, and let us go out." Avenant was quite willing; he arose, strayed mechanically The die as becomes a brave man." princess was much surprised at his determination; she said a thousand things to prevent his undertaking the adventure. It was of no use. He withdrew to seek his weapons and everything else he might require. When he had made his prcparations, he replaced little Cabriolle in his basket, mounted a fine horse, and rode into the dominions of Galifron. He inquired about him of all he met, and everyone told him he was a very demon, whom nobody dared approach. The more he heard of him the more his alarm increased. Cabriolle encouraged him, and said: "My dear master, while you fight him I will bite his legs; he will stoop to rid himself of me, and then you can kill him easily." Avenant admired the wit of the little dog, but he knew well enough that his help could be of little avail. towards the river, on the banks of which he strolled with his | At length he arrived in the neighborhood of Galifron's castle. hat pulled over his eyes, and his arms folded, thinking only of taking bis departure, when suddenly he heard himself called by his name "Avenant! Avenant!" He looked all around him, and could see nobody: he thought he was dreaming. resumed his walk, when again the voice called, "Avenant! Avenant!" "Who calls me?" he asked. He Cabriolle, who was very little and was looking close down into the water, replied: "Never trust me if it be not a golden carp that I see here." Immediately the carp appeared on the surface, and said to Avenant, "You saved my life in the nettle-tree meadow, where I must have perished but for your assistance. I promised to do as much for you. Here, dear Avenant, is the ring of the Fair with Golden Hair. Avenant stooped and took the ring out of my friend the carp's mouth, whom he thanked a thousand times. Instead of returning to his lodgings he went directly to the palace, followed by little Cabriolle, who was very glad he had induced his master to take a walk by the river side. The princess was informed that Avenant requested to see her. "Alas! poor youth, said she, "he is come to take leave of me. He is about to return with these tidings to his master." Avenant was introduced, and presented her with the ring, saying: All the roads to it were strewn with the bones and bodies of men whom he had eaten or torn to pieces. He did not wait long before he saw the monster coming through a wood; his head was visible above the highest trees, and he sang in a terrible voice "Ho! bring me some babies, fat or lean, Upon which Avenant immediately sang to the same tune"Ho! here is Avenant to be seen, Who comes to draw your teeth so keen; But he's big enough to conquer you." The rhymes were not quite adapted to the music, but he made them in a great hurry; and it is really a miracle they were not much worse, for he was in a desperate fright. When Galifron heard these words, he looked about him in every direction, and caught sight of Avenant, who, sword in hand, uttered several taunts to provoke him. They were needless, however. He was in a dreadful rage, and snatching up an iron mace, he would have crushed the gentle Avenant at one blow, had not a crow lighted at that instant on his head, anl "Madame, I have obeyed your commands. Will it please you with its beak most adroitly picked out both his eyes. The to accept the king my master for your husband?" When she saw her ring quite perfect she was astonished-so astonished, that she was dreaming! "Really," said she, "courteous Avenant, you must be favored by a fairy, for by natural means this is impossible." blood ran down his face, and he laid about him on all sides like a madman. Avenant avoided his blows, and gave him such thrusts with his sword, running it up to the hilt in his body, that at last he fell bleeding from a thousand wounds. Avenant quickly cut off his head, quite transported with joy Madame," he answered, "I am not acquainted with any at his good fortune; and the crow, who had perched itself on fairy, but I was anxious to oblige you." "As you are so obliging," continued she, "you must do me another service, without which I never will be married. There is a prince not far from here, named Galifron, who has taken it into his head that he will make me his wife. He declared to me his determination, accompanying it by the most terrible threats, that if I refused him he would lay waste my kingdom; but judge if I could accept him. He is a giant, taller than a high tower; he eats a man as a monkey eats a chestnut; when he goes into the country he carries in his pockets small cannons which he uses for pistols, and when he speaks very loul those who are near him become deaf. I sent word to him that I did not wish to marry, and that he must excuse me, but he has never ceased to persecute me. He kills all my subjects, and before anything can be done you must fight him and bring me his head." Avenant was a little astounded at this proposition; he mused for a few minutes upon it, and then answered, "Well, Madame, I will fight Galifron; I believe I shall be conquered, but I will the nearest tree, said to him: "I have not forgotten the service you rendered me in killing the eagle which pursued me. I promised you I would return the obligation. I trust I have done so to-day." "I owe all to you, Monsieur Crow," replied Avenant, "and remain your obliged servant;" and forthwith mounted his horse, laden with the horrible head of Galifron. When he reached the city, all the people followed him, crying, "Behold the brave Avenant, who has slain the monster!" So that the princess, who heard a great uproar, and who trembled lest they should come and announce to her the death of Avenant, dared not inquire what had happened. But the next moment she saw Avenant enter, bearing the giant's head, which still impressed her with terror, although there was no longer any occasion for alarm. |