Woman's Choice —The Story Of A Hero.

sunlight a common gift to the feudal lord aud his bond-slave ? — and only to the lordly chateau Avhich those ancient AA'oods surrounded , and to which the peasant looked as a sort of earthly paradise , that glorious sunlight brought no joy . The

beams that pierced the narroAV , arched casements of a small private oratory , in Avhich Avere assemblocl four of the principal personages of the Du Guesclin family , fell on the pale and tearful countenance of a lady advanced in life , AVIIO sat immediately

beneath the Avindow , ancl Avho , in spite of time and grief , still bore traces of having once been beautiful . Beside her stood a tall and powerful man , whose dress ancl rank proclaimed him to be knightly . He also appeared much disturbed ; his bright

blue eyes flashed with anger , ancl his large features Avere flushed , as he rated , in no measured terms , a youth Avho stood before him . A glance at the latter Avas sufficient to identify them as father ancl son , so strong Avas the resemblance betAveen them ; the

same noble features , bright blue eyes , and chestnut curls ; though the pressure of his helmet had partly Avorn off those of the sire , and age had slightly silvered the remainder . That there was a similarity of character also cvas manifested from ' the

impatient and haughty expression of countenance with Avhich the youth endured the paternal rebuke . A spectator might haA'e inferred , judging by expression only , that the culprit was a taller , slighter , and far handsomer youth , who leaned on the back

of the lady ' s chair , ancl listened to the outpourings of the old knight ' s Avrath Avith doAvncast , tearful looks , aud most submissive deference . " I tell thee , Bertrand , " said the kni g ht , " thou ait a very scourge to thy parents ,

and wilt make them curse the hour that gave thee birth , an' thou mendest not thy ways . Who , thinkest thou , may endure thy disobedience , thy companionship Avith Cotereaux and Boutiers , thy constant braAvls , thy averseness to all kni ghtly exercises 1—ancl noAv thou must fix a quarrel on thine own brother !"

" He speaks falsely if he says so , " interrupted the youth , Avith angry vehemence . "It is as false as many of the other slanders he hath uttered against me . He knows my mood , that I am soon roused to anger , ol

which I heartily repent me Avhen the fit i s OA'er , ancl he taunted me past endurance I struck him , and it Avas no more than he deserved !" The younger brother here raised his eyes and hands toward heaven with a look of patient ancl injured innocenceancl the

, mother leaned her head against her busband's shoulder and sobbed audibly . The sound appeared to touch ancl soften the rebellious son ; he stepped hastily foi'Avard , and bending , AVOUIC ! have taken her hand , but she repulsed him silently , and ho drew back .

" Do you also abandon me , my mother !" he said , bitterly . " The hypocrite has clone his work Avell . " ' ¦ Sileuce , sirrah I" cried the old knight , furiously . " I should do Avell if I sent thee forth a vagabond—a second Cain , as I fear thou art in spirit , and such shall be thy

fate if thou mendest not thy Avays . Ask fortliAvith thy brother ' s pardon for thy violence , in earnest of thy repentance , ancl try for the future to direct your life ancl actions by his example . " " No ; heaven forfend ! " AA'as the instant

reply . "I will ask him to forgive my sudden rage , although he ICUOAA ' well that he Avas the cause of it ; and I will pardon him his treacherous slanders ; but all the saints forbid that I should ever folloAV his

example . ' The lady turned suddenly and fixed her eyes upon her youngest son . " Is he a liar , Guy 1 " she said . " What sayest thou in thine OAVII defence 1 Ho \ v didst thou rouse his anger 1 " "BeloA'ed mother" answered Guy , in a

, soft tone , " I waited your bidding , or my father ' s , to speak . If I offended Bertrand . it was uiiAA'ittingly and Avithout design , I kneAV that father had refused him permission to accompany us to the tournament at Ploermel , because he refused to practise

Avith us , ancl my father feared he might disgrace his birth and breeding in public . I urged upon him iu all brotherly kindness the ei'ilof his ways , entreating him to redeem his lost time and character , and a blow , Avhich Sir Oliver witnessed , was my reward . "

" In brotherly kindness ! " interupted tho impatient Bertrand : " the Virgin keep me from such brotherly kindness , say I ! Didst thou not speak in the strongest terms ol