A STORY OF THE CURFEW.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume III, Issue 136, 10 December 1875, Page 15

A STORY OF THE CURFEW.

To many hearts in the old country that cherish its traditions, the curfew recalls a story of love's devotion. In the time of Cromwell a young soldier, for some offence was compelled to die, and the time of his death was fixed "at the ringing of the curfew." Naturally such a doom would be fearful and bitter to one in the years of his hope and prime, but to this unhappy youth death was doubly terrible, since he was soon to be married to a beautiful lady whom he had long loved. The lady, who loved him ardently in return, had used her utmost effort to avert his fate, pleading with the judges, and even with Cromwell himself, but all in vain. In her despair she tried to bribe the sexton not to ring the bell, but she found that impossible. The hour drew near for execution. The preparations are completed. The officers of the law brought forth the prisoner, and waited, while the sun was setting, for the signal from the distant bell-tower. To the wonder of everybody it did not ring. Only one person knew why. The poor girl herself, half wild with the thought of her lover's peril, had rushed unseen to the winding stairs, and climbed the ladders into the belfry loft and seized the tongue of the bell. The old sexton was in his place, prompt to the fatal moment, lie threw his weight upon the rope, and the bell, obedient to his practiced hand reeled and swung to and fro in the tower. But the brave girl kept her hold, and no sound issued from the metallic ' lips. Again and again the sexton drew the rope, but with desperate strength the young heroine held on. Every movement made her position -more fearful, every sway of the bell's huge weight threatened to fling her through the high tower window, but she would not let go. At last the sexton went away. Old and deaf he had nr>t noticed that the curfew gave no appeal. The brave girl descended from the belfry, wounded and trembling". She hurried from the church to tb c place of execution. Cromwell himself w r as there, and was just sending to demand why the bell was silent. She saw him — and licr brow, Latelj white w ith sickening horror, glows with hope and coiu-.igc now ; At his feet .she told the story, showed her hands all bruised and torn, And li«sr sweet young face still haggard with the anguish it had worn, Touched his heart with .sudden pity, lit his ojes with misty light — *Go ; \uiii lo\cr lives,' cried Cromwell : uuricu shall not ring to-night.

Tuk Quicl'.n'n Diamonds. — A mysterious attempt lias been made at Windsor to get possession of the Queen's diamonds. In a small creek which runs into the Thames, about a mile from the royal palace, a careless pedestrian saw a cord tied to the loot of a tree, apparently connected with something in the water. Hu had the curiosity to pull the cord, and pulled to the surface a japanned iin dressing case, on opening which he discovered a bunch of keys, numbering 125, two bottles of golden liquid, some skeleton keys and soft matter for taking impressions from the wards oi' locks, etc. Among the keys found were two master keys belong/hit/ lo the royal j_ialacc"\hnAj opened corridors or leading avenues inwards.