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About Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 4, 1898)
THE OMAHA DAILY BEE : SUNDAY , DECEMBER 4 , 3Q98. Py < 5. RXrockctt TV > f ' < ' m etjiVaiifciii > of 1'rrcoillnit Ch plern. William , the sixth curl of Douglas. In crossing his estates , chnncca upon a beau- tlful lady , ono of the rctlnuu of the Trench Ambassador , who Is nn Ills way to JJdln- burg. The young carl los < s his heart to the fair lady , nnil , on the point of promis ing to go with her to the court of thu Scot- tlsh king , hu Is forcibly carried away , under cover of ti heavy storm , by Mallso McKIm , the Douglas armorer , and Abbott AVIIIIam Douglas , who think the lady Is a witch. On the following day , nt the great re view of 10,000 Douglas retainers , the earl gain meets the Lndy Bybllla , and at onto makes her the quevn of beauty. Sholto McKIm , son of the armorer , distinguishes himself In nrchery and Is made captain of the caftlo guard. Bholto falls In love with Maud Llndesay , maid of honor to the earl's Ister , and , on the llrat night of his stew ardship , proves his valor by wounding a huga animal which hus frightened thu joung ladles. Thu next day thu French mbasrndor is suspiciously 111 , but Lady Rybllla , accompanied by the three Douglas cousins , rides uwuy to witness the second day's Journey In the precincts of the ens- tie of Thrl < JV , winning on the way the coveted promise from William to accom pany her to Hdlnburg. Sholto's archer Buards protect the castle nails , wound a kcrvant of the Trench ambassador and keJp Maud Llndesay and her charge Imprisoned liy mistake all day. On the third day the Douglas cousins enter the lists , as also the Krench ambassador , who foully casts his epear at the young earl of Douglas and aounds him. In the combat that follows Bholto shows such bravery that ho Is knighted. On the return to the castle , Maud Llndesay playfully bids farewell to the Sholto of old , and only appeases his subsequent wrath by assuming u loving penitence. . . . , James , carl of Avondale , Sir Alexander Livingston , the puardlnn of the king's per son , Sir William Crlchton , chancellor of the realm , and Marshal de Retz , th ; am bassador of France , begin to plot against the earl of Douglaf Throuiih the aid of Lady Sybllla , thu niece of De Hetz , Wil liam , with n small following , iicludlng Bholto , Is Induced to visit Castle r-lcliton , Where his enemies entertain him lally. . CIIAI'TKIl XXIX. Cm tie Crlultton. Ortohton castle was much more a defensed chateau and less a feudal stronghold than Thrlovo. It stood on a rising ground above the llttlo water of Tyne , which flowed clear end swift from beneath the blind hopes and bare valleys of the Moorfoot hills. IJut the elto was well chosen for pleasure and. de fense. The ground fell away on throe sides. Birch , alder , nsh girt It round and made pleasant summer bowers everywhere. The fox-faced chancellor hnd spent much money on beautifying It , and the kitchens and lardera were reported to be the best equipped In Scotland. On the green braes of Crlchton , therefore , In due tlmo the young Douglases arrived with their sparse train of thirty riders. Sir William Crlchton had ridden out to meet them across the Inumer- eblo little valleys which Ho around Teinplo end Borthwlck to tlio brow of that great heathy tableland which rune back from the Moorfoots to the Solway. With him were onfy the Marshal de Hetz end his nloce , the Lady Sybllla. man-at-arms accompanied Not a single squlro or companied these three there , for , as the chancellor well judged , there was no way wore effectually to lull the suspicions of a gallant man like the Douglas than to outdo him In gor.orous confidence. The three sat their horses and looked to the south for their guests at that delight some hour of the summer gloaming , when the last bees are reluctantly disengaging ithemeelvcs from the dewy heather belte , and the circling beetles begin their booming curfew. "There they cornel" cried Do nctz sud denly , pointing to a few specks of light which danced and dimpled between them and the low horizon of the south , ngalnst which leaned a drift of primrose sunset clouds. "There they come I sec * theu also ! " said the Lady Sybllla , and suddenly sighed lieavlly and without cause. "Where , and how many ? " cried the chan cellor , In a shrill plpo usually associated with the physically deformed , hut which more than anxious dis with him meant no composure. The marshal pointed with the steady hand of the practiced commander to the spot at which his keen eye had detected the caval cade. "Yonder , whore the pine tree stands up ngalnst the sky , " he aald. "And how many ? I cannot see them , my eyesight fills. I bid you tell me how many , " gasped the chancellor. The ambassador looked long. "There are , as I think , no more than twenty or .thirty riders ! ' ' Instantly the chancellor turned and held out his hand. "Wo have him ! " ho muttered , withdraw ing It again as soon as ho saw that the am bassador did not take It. being occupied gazing under his palm at the approaching train of riders. The Lady Sybllla sat silent and watched the company which rode toward them , with what thought In her heart , who shall ven ture to guess. She kept her head studiously averted from the Marshal de Retz. and once when he touched her arm to call her atten- , /tlon to something she shuddered and moved llttlo utarcr to the chancellor. Neverthe less she obeyed her uncle Implicitly and without question when he made her ride for- .ward with them to receive the chancellor's guests. Crlchton took It on himself to rally the girl on her silence. "Of what may you bo thinking so seri ously ! " he said. "Of 30 pieces of silver ! " she replied In stantly. And at tbcso words the marshal turned upon the girl a regard so black and relent less that the chancellor , chancing to en counter It , shrank abashed , even as some devllkln caught In a fault might shrink from the angry eyes of the master of evil. But the Lady Bybllla looked calmly at her kinsman. "Of what do you complain ? " he asked her. "I complain of nothing , " she made him answer. "I am that which I am , anil I am that which you have made me , mine uncle. Fear not I will do my part ! " Right handsome looked the young earl of Douglas as with a flush of expectation and pleasure on bis face be rode up to the party of three who bad come out to tncot htm. He made his obeisance to Sybllla Hist , with a look of supremest happiness In hla eyes , which many women had given their all to sco there. As ho came close ho leaped from hla horte and advancing to his lady ho bent and kissed her band , "My Lady Sybllla , " ho Bald , "I am , as ever , your loyal sen-ant. " Th'e chancellor and the ambassador had both dismounted , not to be outdone In courtciy , and ono after the other they greeted him with what cordiality they could muster. Th narrow , thin-bearded face of the chancellor and the pallid death- mask of De Retz , out of which glittered eyua like no eyes of human being , furnished a singular contrast with the uncovered head , crisp black curls , alight mustache and fresh , olive complexion of the young earl ol Douglas. And as often as he was not looking at bet the eyes of the Lady Sybllla rested on I/on ! Douglas with a strange expression In them , Tbo color In her cheek came and went. The vermeil of her Up flushed and paled alternate from the pink of the wild ros lesf to the red of the autumnal berry. But presently , at a glance from her kins man , she seemd to recall herself wl > th dlfQ- culty from a land of dreams and with an obvious effort began to talk to William Douglas. "Whom have you brought to see me. " the said. said."Only a few men-at-arms , save Sholto , my Equlro and my brother , David , " ho made answer. "I did not wait for more. But tot mo bring the lad to you , Sholto you did not like when he was a plain archer of the guard , and I fear that ho will not have risen In your grace since I dubbed htm knight. " David Douglas willingly obeyed the sum mons of his brother and came forward to kiss the hand of the Lady Sybllln. "Here , Sholto , cried his lord , "come hither , man. It will do your pride good to Bt-o a woman who says conceit hath eaten jou up. " Sholto came at the word and bowed before the woman ns he was com manded , meekly enough , to all outward as pect. But In his heart lie was saying over and over to himself words that consoled him mightily. "A murrain on her. The cozen ing madam ; she will never be worth nam ing on the same day as Maud Llndesay. " "Nay , " cried the Lady Sybllla , laughing , "Indeed , I said not that I disliked this your squlro. What woman thinks the worse of a lad of mettle that he does not walk with his head between bis feet. But 'tis pity that there Is no fair , cruel maid to bind his heart In chains and make him fetch and carry to break his pride. Ho thinks over much of his swordplay and arrow skill " "Ho must go to France for that ! " said the earl gayly , "or else mayhap some day a maid may come from France to break hU heart for him. The like hath been and may be again. " "I would that I had known there were such gallant blades as you three , my lords of Douglas and their knights , sighing to have your hearts broke for the good of your souls. I had then brought with mo a tierce of damsels , fair as cruel , who had done it In the flashing of a swallow's wing. But 'tis a contract too great for ono poor maid ! " "Yet you ventured all aloae , nto this realm of forlorn and desperate men ? " answered the carl , scarcely recking what ho said , nor caring , so that her dark eyes should con tinue to rest on him alone with the look ho had seen In them at his first coming. "All alone yes , much , much alone ! " she answered , with a strange glance about her. "My uncle loves not womankind , and neither In his castles nor yet In bis company does ho permit any of the sex long to abide ! " The men now mounted again and the three rode back In the midst of that cavalcade of Douglas spears , the chancellor talking aa freely and confidently to the earl as If he had been his friend for years , , while the earl of Douglas kept up the converse right willingly so long as , looking at the chancel lor , his eyes rested also for a moment on the delicately poised head and graceful form of the Lady Sybllla. And behind them a horse's length the Marshal de Rotz rode , smiling In the depths of bis blue-black beard and looking at them out of the corners of his triangular eye * . Presently the towers of the castle of Crlch ton rose before them on Its green jutting spur. The Tyne valley tank beneath Into the level meads and rich pastures , while behind the Moorfoots spread brown and bare , without prominent peaks or distin guished glens , but nevertheless with a large vagueness and solemnity peculiarly their own. own.Tho The fetes with which the chancellor wel comed bis guests were many and splendid. But In one respect they differed from those which have been described at castle Thrleve. There was no military pomp of any kind connected with them. The chancellor studi ously avoided all pretense of any other dis tinction than that of a plain man whom circumstances had raised against his will to a position of responsibility. The thirty spears of the earl's guard In deed constituted the whole- military force within or about the castle of Crlchton. "I am a lawyer , my lord , a plain law yer , " ho said ; "all Scota lawyers are plain. And I must ask you to garrison my bit peel tower of Crlchton In a manner more be fitting your own greatness and the honor due to the ambassador of Franco than a humble knight Is able to do ! " So Sholto was put Into command of the court and battlements of the castle , and posted and changed guard as though he had bc n at Thrleve while the chancellor bustled about , affecting more the style of a rich and comfortable burgess than that Of a feudal baron. "This Is a snug bit hoose , " he would say. dropping Into tbo countryside speech , "there's nocht fine within It from cellar to roof-tree , save only the prove-nd and tht > jolly Malmsey. And though I bo but a poor eater myself , I love that my betters , who do mo the honor of sojourning within my gates , should have the wherewithal to be merry. " And It was even as he said , for the tables were weighted with delicacies such an were never scon upon the boards of Thrleve 01 castle Douglas. CHAPTER XXX. The IJovrer by Von Ilnrnild * . And ever as be gazed rt her the earl of Douglas grew more and more In love with the Lady Sybllla. There was no covert side through which a burn plunged downward Into covert from the steep side of Moorfoot but they wandered alone together. Early and late they might be met , he with bis facu turned upen her and sbo looking straight forward with the same Inscrutable calm. And all left them alone as they took their way to gather flowers like a pair of children , or , as It might be , stood still and client like a pair of lovers under the evenIng - Ing star. For In these summer days and nights bloomed untiringly the brief passion flower of William Douglas' life. It was In the gracious fullness of the early autumn and the sheaves were set up In many a park and little warded holt about tbo Moorfoot braes that William Douglas and Sybllla de Thouars stood together upon a crest of hill , crowned with dwarf birch and thick-foliage alder , a place In the retire ment of whose sylvan bower they had al ready spent many hours. The Lady Sybllla sat on a worn gray rock which thrust Itself through the green turf , pulling a piece of bracken to piece * . The girl had been wearing a broad flat cap ol velvet , which In the coolness of the twi light she hod removed , and now swung gently to and fro in her hand as she looked to the north , where , small as a toy and backed by the orange glow of sunset , the castle of Edinburgh could be seen black upon the wind-swept ridge. The girl was speaking slowly and softly. "Nay , Earl Douglas , " she said , "marriage must not be named to Sybllla de Thouari , certainly never by an carl of Douglas and duke of Touralne. Ho must wed for riches and fair provinces. His house Is regal al ready. He Is better born than the king , more powerful also. The daughter of a Breton squlro , the kinswoman of allies da Retz of Mnchecoul is not for him. " "A Douglas makes many sacrifices , " said the young man , with earnestness , "but this Is not demanded of him. Four generations have wedded for power. It Is surely time that ono did GO for love. " The girl reached him her hand , saying oftly , "Ah , William , would that It had been co. Too late , I begin to think on those things which might have been bad Sybllla de Thouars been born under a more fortu nate star. As U is , I can only go on a terror to myself and a bane to others. " The young man , absorbed in his own thoughts , did not hear her words. "The world were little to give in order that in exchange I might possess you , " he answered. The girl laughed a strange laugh and drew back her hand from his. "Possess me , well , but wed me no. Hon est men and honorable men like Earl Doug las do not wed with the nicco of allies do Rotz. I had thought my heart within mete to bo flint In the chalk , y&t now I pray you on my knees to leave me. Take your thirty lances and your young brother and ride home. Then , safe in your Island fortress of TbHeve , blot out of your heart all mem ory that ever you found pleasure In a crea ture so miserable as Sybllla de Thouars ! " "But , " said the young earl , passionately , "tell me , my lady. I do not understand. What obstacle can there bo ? You tell mo that you love me , that you are not be trothed. Your undo Is an honorable man , a marshal and ambassador of France , a cousin of the duke of Brittany , a reigning sovereign. Moreover , I am the Douglas. I am responsible to no man. William Douglas may wed whom he will a king's daughter or a beggar wench. Why should ho not join with the honorable daughter of an honorable bouse , and the ono woman ho has ever loved ? " The girl let her velvet cap fall on the ground and sank her face between her hands. Her whole body waa shaken with emotion. "Oo go , " she cried , starting to her feet , and standing before him , "call out your lances and ride home. Never look more upon the face of such a thing as Sybllla de Thouars. I bid you. I warn you. I com mand you. I thought I had been of stone , but now when I see you I cannot do that which 1s laid upon mo to do. " William of Douglas smiled. "I cannot go , " he said , simply. "I love you. Moreover , I will not go I am earl of Douglas ! " The girl clasped her hands helplessly. "Not if I tell you that I have deceived you , led you on ? " she said. "Not If I swear that I am the slave of a power so terrible that there are no words in any language to tell the least of the things I suffer ? " The earl shook his head. The girl sud denly stamped her foot. "Oo go , I tell you ! " she cried. "Stay not a day In this accursed place , wherein no true word Is spoken and no loyal deed done save those which como forth from your own true heart. " "Nay , " Bald William Douglas , with his eyes on hers. "It is too late , Sybil. I have klued the red of your lips. My whole soul Is yours. I cannot now go bask even If I would ! The boy I have been I can be no more forever ! " The girl rose from the etone on which she had been sitting. There was a now smile In her eyes. She hold out her hands to the youth who stood so erect and proud before her. "Well , at the worst , William Douglas , " she said , "you may never live to wear a gray head , but at least you shall touch the tree of the knowledge of good and evil , taste the fruitage and smell the blos soms thereof more than hundred gray- beards. I had not thought that earth held such a man or that aught but blackness and darkness remained this side of hell for one so desolate as I. I have bid you leave mo. I have told you that which were It known would cost me my life. But since you will not go since you are strong enough to stand unblenchlng In the face of doom you shall not lose all without a price ! " She opened her arms wide and her yes were glorious. "I love you , " she said , her lips thrilling toward him , "lovo you , love you , as I never thought to love any man upon the earth ! " CIIAI'TEH XXXI , The Gnbrrlunxlc Man. The next morning the chancellor came down early from his chamber and finding Earl Douglas already waiting in the court- jard ho rubbed hi * hands and called out cheerfully , "We shall be more lonely today , but perhaps even more gay. For there ore many things men delight In which even the fairest ladles care not for , fearing may hap some Invasion of their dominions ! " "What mean you. my lord chancellor ? " aald the Douglas to his host , eagerly scan ning the upper windows meanwhile. "I mean , " eald the chancellor fawnlngly , "that bis excellency the ambassador of Franc * bath ridden away under cloud of night , and hath taken his fair ward with him ! " The earl turned pale and stood glowering at the obsequious chancellor aa If unable to comprehend the purport of bis words. At lost he commanded himself sufficiently to speak. "Was this resolution Hidden , or did the Lady Sybllla know of it yesternight ? " "Nay , of a surely It was quite sudden , " replied the chancellor , "a Message came from the queen mother to the Marshal do Rets requesting an Immediate tnee'log ' on business of state , whereupon I offered my cutle of Edinburgh for the purpose , as being more convenient than Stirling. So ' doubt not that they are all mei there the young king being of the party. It Is In deed a strange falling out , for of late , aa you may have heard , the tutor and the queen have scarce been of the number of my Intimates. " The carl of Douglas appeared strangely disturbed. He paid no further attention to his host , but strode to and fro In the court yard with his thumbs In his belt , In the deepest meditation. The chancellor watched him from under his eyebrows with alternate apprehension and satisfaction , like a timid hunter who sees the lion half in aud half out of the snare. "I have n letter for you , my Lord Doug- fas , " he said , after a long pause. "Ah , " cried Douglas , with obvious relief , "why did you not tell mo at first Pray glvo It mo. " "I knew not whether It might afford you pleasure or no , " answered the chancellor. " ( live It me ! " cried Douglas , Imperiously , as though he spoke to an underling. Sir William Crlchton drew a square parcel from beneath bis long-furred gown and handed It to William Douglas , who , without stepping back , Instantly broke the seal. "Pshaw " cried he , contemptuously , "It is from the queen mother and Alexander Livingston ! " He thought It had been from another , and his disappointment was written clear upon his face. "Even so , " said the chancellor , suavely , "it was delivered by the same servant who brought the message which called away the ambassador and his companion. " The earl read it from beginning to end. After the customary greetings and good wishes the letter ran as follows : "The king greatly desires to see his noble cousin of Douglas at the castle of Edinburgh presently , put at his majesty's disposal by the high chancellor of Scotland. Here In this place are now assembled all the men who desire the peace and assured pros perity of the realm , saving the greatest of all , my Lord Douglas. The king sends af fectionate greeting to his cousin and desires that he also may come thither , that the ambassador of France may carry back to his master a favorable report of the unity and kindly governance of the kingdom dur ing his minority. " tltEASONI" INSTANTLY CRIED SHOLTO. The chancellor watched the earl as be I read this letter. To one more suspicious than William Douglas it would have been clear that he was himself perfectly ac quainted with the contents. "I am bidden meet the king at the castle , of Edinburgh , " said Douglas ; "I will set out at once. " "Nay , my lord , " cried Crlchton , "not this I day , at least. Stay and hunt the stag on 1 the braes of Borthwick. My huntsmen have marked down a swift and noble buck. To morrow to Edinburgh an' you will ! " I "I thank you , Sir William , " the Douglas answered , "but the command is peremptory. I must rldo to Edinburgh this very day. " ' "I pray you remember that Edinburgh Is a turbulent city and little Inclined to love your great house. Is It , think you , wlso to I go thither with so small1 a retinue ? " | The earl waved his hand carelessly. I "I am not afraid , " be said , "besides , what harm can befall when I lodge In the castle of the lord chancellor of Scotland ? " Crlchton bowed very low. "What harm , Indeed ! " he said , "I did but advlso your lordship to bethink himself. I am an old man , remember , fast growing fee ble and naturally inclined to overmuch eau- "EARLY AND LATE THEY MIOHT BE MET. " tion. But the blood flows hot and fast through the veins of IS ! " Sholto , who knew nothing of these happen ings , had just finished exercising his men on the smooth green In front of the castle of Crlchton , and had dismissed them , when a gaberlunzle , or privileged beggar , a long , lank rascal , with a mat of tangfed hair , and clad in a castoff leathern suit which erst while a knight had worn under hU mall , leaped suddenly from tbo side of a hedge. Instinctively Sholto laid his hand on his dag ger. "Nay , " snuffled the fellow , "I come peaceably. As you rove your lord hasten to give him this letter. And above all let not the Crlchton see you ! " Sholto hastened to the earl's quar ters and delivered the message secretly and as soon as William Douglas was alone he broke the seal and tore open the parch ment. It was written In a delicate foreign script , the characters fine and small. "My lord , do not , I beseech you , come to Edin burgh or think of mo more. Last night mine uncle spied upon us and this morning he hath carried me off. Wherever you are when you receive this , turn instantly and ride with all speed to one of your strong castles. - As you love roe go ! We can never hope to see one another again. Forget - | get an unfortunate girl who can never forget I you ! " There was so signature caving the Im pression of the serpent * ' heads , which ho remembered as the signet of the ring ho had found and given back to her on the day of the tournament. 1 will never give her up. I will see her , " cried the carl of Douglas , "and this very day , Aye , though I were to die for it on the morrow ! " ' ' CHAPTER XXXII. "Edlnbnrir Cantle , Tower anil Town. " It was with an anxious heart that Sholto rode out behind hU master over the bald , northerly slopes of the Moorfoots. For a long tlmo David Douglas kept close to his brother , so that the captain of the guard could speak no private word. For , though he know that nothing was to be gained by remonstrance , Sholto was resolved that ho would not let his reckless master run unwarned into danger eo deadly and cer tain. tain.Ho Ho rode up , therefore , and craved per mission to speak to the earl , once when David had fallen a little behind. "Thou art a true son of Mallse MacKIm , whatever thy mo.acr may say , " cried the earl. "I'll wager a gold angel you are going to say something shrowillr unpleas ant. That great lurdaln , thy father , never asks permission to speak save when be has stilettos rankling on the tip of his tongue. " "My lord. " said Sholto , "bear a word from ono who loves you. Co not Into the town of Edinburg. Or at least wait till you can ride thither with 3,000 lances , as did your father and his father before him. " The carl laughed merrily and clapped his youne knight on ttio shoulder. "Did you not tell me the same ere wo came to the castle of Crlchton , and lo ! there wo were , ten days In the place and not a man-at-arms within miles except your own Onlloway varlets ! Sholto , my man , you might have sacked the castle , rolled all the platters down the slopes into the Tyno and sent the cooks trundling after then ] , for all that any one could bavo done to stop us. Yet here are wo riding forth , feathers In our bonnets , swords by our sides , panged full of meat and drink , and at once i as soon as we are gone Sholto MacKIm begins - ' gins the same old discontented corbie's croak. "But , my lord , 'tis a different matter thero. The castle of Edinburgh Is a strong place , with many courts and doors a hostile city 'round about , not a solitary castle like Crlchton. They may separate you from us , and we may neither bo able to save you noi yet to die with you If worst cornea * to the worst. " "I may tell you as well soon as syne , you waste your breath , Sbolto , " said Earl Doug las , "and it 111 becomes a young knight , let j mo tell you , to be so chicken-hearted. The | next time I will leave you at home to hem linen for tbo bedsheets. Mallse is a licenses croaker , but I thought better of you , Sholto MacKIm. " The captain of the earl's guard looked on the ground and his heart was distressed within him. Yet , In spite of the raillery of j the Douglas , he resolved to make one more effort. "My lord , " he said , "you know not th hatred of these men against your house. What other object save the destruction of the Douglas can have drawn together foes so d ' 'y ' as Crlchton and Livingston ? At least , U. ; Icrd , If you are tet on risking your own lite , send back one of us with youi brother David. " Then cried out David Douglas , who bad just joined them during the converse , against so monstrous a proposal. "I will not go back in any case , " said the lad , "William has the earldom and the titles. I must at least bt > allowed part of the fun. Sholto , it William dies without heirs and I become earl , my first act will be to hang you on the dulii tree with a raven on either side for a slow-bellied knave and prophet of evil ! " The carl looked at his brother and seemefl to hesitate. "There is something In what you eay , Sholto. " "My lord , If the Wow fall , let not your line be wholly cut off. I pray you let five good lads ride straight for Douglas- dale with David In their midst " "Sholto , " cried the boy , "I will not go back , nor bo a palterer , all because you are afraid for your own akin. " "My place is with my master , " said Sholto curtly , and the boy looked ashamed for a moment , but ho soon recovered him self and returned to the charge. "Well , then , 'tis because you want to lee Maud Llndesay that you ire so set on re turning. I saw you kiss her hand In the dark of the stairs. Aha , Master Sholto , what say you now ? " "Hold your tongue , David , " cried his brother , "you might have seen him kiss yet more pleasantly , and no harm done. BUt , after all , you and I are Douglases and our star la in the zenith. We will fal together If fall wo must. Not a word ' more about It ! David , I will race you j to yonder dovecote for a golden Hon. " "Done , " cred bs brother , Joyously , and In an Instant spurs were put Into the flanks of their horses , and the young men flew thundering over the green turf , riding swiftly Into the golden haze , from which rose even higher the dark towers of the castle of Edinburgh. Past gray peel and windswept fortallce the young lords of Douglas rode that autumn day , gayly as to A wedding , on the way to place themselves In the power of thelt I house's enemies. The sea pursued them , I flecked green and purple on their right ' band. Little ships floated on the smooth surface of the Frith , little larger In size I than the boats of the fisher folk , yet ships I which had adventured Into far lands and I brought back their produce Into the barren land of the Scots. At last they entered the demesne of Holy- i rood , and saw the deer crouching and bask ing about the copsts and scampering over the broomy knowes of the Nether hill. As they came near to the Canongate port I they saw a gallant band gayly dreiacd coming forth to meet them , and the earl's I eye brightened u it caught the glint ol ladles' attiring. t "Seo , Sholto , " the irl cried , "and re- I pent , yonder is not a single lancohcad shin ing and you cannot turn your grumbling head but you see nigh two-score with a Douglaa heart bumping under each. " "Ah. " said Sholto , without Joy , "but wo are neither In nor yet out of this town of Edinburgh ! " But the question where the Lady Sybllla was bestowed soon occupied the Douglea raoro than any thought of hta own safety or of the loyalty of his entertainers. Sybllla , however , was neither In the courtly caval cade which met them at the entrance ol the park , nor yet among the more numerous ladles who stood at the castle yett to wel come the noble and handsome young lords ol Douglas. Douglas , therefore , concluded that hci undo , Do Retz , discovering some part ol the love that was between them , and may hap hearing of U by some spy or other al Crlchton castle , had secluded his sweetheart Ho loosened , his hand on the rein to lay II on the sword hilt as ho thought of thU cruelty to a maid so pure and fair. Sholto kept his company very close behind him as they rode up the High street , t gloomy defile of tall houses clothed from top. most window to pavement with the heads ol chattering goodwlves and the flutter ol household clothing hung out to dry. At the outer defenses of the castle Doug las celled Sbolto and said : "Your fellows are to bo lodged hero on the Castle hill , The chancellor hotih sent word that there Is no room In the castle Itself. For the tutor's men and king's men have already filled It to the brim. " These tidings agonized Bholto more than ever. "My lord , " ho said In nn agonized whis per , 'Hum about your rein and we will cut our way out even yet. Do you not see that the devils would separate you from all who love you ? And I shall bo blamed In Gallo- Viay. At least let me accompany you with half a dozen men. " "Nay , " said the earl , "such suspicion were a poor return for the chancellor put ting himself in our hands all the days wo spent with him at his castle of Crlchton. To your lodgings , Sholto , and glvo God thank If there be therein a pretty maid or a com plaisant dome , according to the wont of squires and men-at-arms. " In this fashion rode in the earl of Douglaa to take his first dinner in the castle of Edin burgh. And Sholto MacKIm rode behind him , no man saying him nay. For his mas ter had eyes only for one face , and that he coufd not sec. "But I shall find her yet , " he said over and over In his heart. It was but a boyish heart , and simple , too ; but all eo bravo and high that the gallantest and greatest gentle man in the world had not ono like to it for loyalty and courage. CHAPTER XXXIII. The Black Hull' * Hrad. The banqueting ball of Edinburgh castle , but lately out of artificers' bands , was a noble oblong chamber , reaching from side to aide of the south-looking keep , begun by James I. It was decorated In the French manner with oak ceilings and panellngs , all bosaed and cornered with massive silver-gilt moldings. Save in the ordering of the repast Itself , there was a marked absence of ostentation. Only a soldier or two could be seen , mostly on guard at the outer gates , and Shofto , who had been uneasy and fearful for his mas ter , became gradually more reassured when he saw with what care every want of the earl and his brother was attended to , and , If possible , even forestalled. The young king , James II , a handsome , open-hearted child , was In jubilant spirits , and could not be persuaded to let the broth ers Douglas remain a moment alone. H was resolved , he said , to have hl bed brought into their chamber , that he might talk to them all night of tournays and deed of arms. Never had he met with any that he loved so much , and on their part the young lords of Douglas became boys again In this atmosphere of frank aud boyish ad miration. U was a state banquet to which they sat down. That Is , there was no hungry crowd of hangers on clustered below the salt. To each gentleman was allotted one silver trenchard for his own UBO , instead of one betwixt two , as was the custom. The service was ordered in the French manner , and there was manifest through all a quiet ob servance and good taste which won upon the carl of Douglas. Nevertheless his eyes still continued to range every way through the castle , scanning every tower , glancing at every balcony and archway , In search of the Lady Sybllla. In tbo banquet hall the llttlo king sat In his high chair In tbo midst , with the brothers of Douglaa , one on elthor side of him , He spoke loudly and confidently , after the man ner of a pampered boy of high spirits. "I will noon como and visit you in return at the castle of Thrlevo. The Lady Sybllla hath told me how strong It Is and bow splen did are the tourneys there , as grand as those of France. " "The Lady Sybllla is perhaps gone to > her own land ? " ventured Douglas , not wishing to ask a more direct question. "Nay , " cried the young king , looking querulously at his tutor , "but Indeed I wet not what they have done with my pretty gossip , Sybllla ; I have not seen her for three weeks , save for a moment thU morn ing , and before she went away she promised 10 teach me to dance In tbo French manner and the trick of the handkerchief to hide a dagger in the band. " As the earl listened to the boy'a prattle he became more and more convinced that the Marshal de Retz , having In some way discovered thotr affection for each other , had removed Sybllla out of his reach. Her letter Indeed showed clearly that she was In fear of Ill-treatment both for himself and for her. her.The banquet passed with courtesies much more elaborate than was usual In Scotland , but which Indicated the great respect In whloh the guests were held. Between each course a servant in the royal colors pre sented a golden salver Oiled with clear water for the guests to wash their hands. Through the interstices of the celling strains of music filtered down from musicians hid den somewhere above , which sounded curi ously soothing and far away. The chancellor bowed and drank every few minutes to the health of the earl and bis brother across the board , while the tutor sat smiling upon all with the polish of a professional courtier. In his high seat at the table end the little king chattered In cessantly of the times when he could do as ho pleased , and when he and his cousin of Douglas would ride together to battle and tourney , or feast together In hall. "Be sure , I will not keep all these sorners about me , " he eald , lowering his voice cau tiously ; "I will only have young , gallant j men , like you and David there. But whtt I comes here ? " ' There was a stir among the servitors nt | the upper end of the room , Sholto , who stood behind his master's chair , heard tb I music of the pipes approach nearer. It I grew louder , more Insistent , finally almost oppressive . The doors nt cither end were I filled with armed men , They filed silently I into the hall in dark armor , and carrying | shining Lochaber axes. Then through tbo open doorway came > voice plerctug and reedy. "The play Is played , William of Douglai , and the lion is now safe in the power of the dogj. How like you our kennel , might } lion ? " U was the voice of the Chancellor Crlch- tou. tou.Tho young king came running from hts place and threw his arms about the carl's neck. "I am the king , " ho cried. "Not ono of you shall touch or hurt my cousin Douglas , " "Stand back , James , " said the tutor Liv ingston. "The Douglas is a traitor , and you shall never reign while ho rules. Hs and his brother shall be tried for treason. They have claimed the king's throne and usurped his authority. " Sholto MacKIm turned about. In all that threatening array of armed men no friendly eye met his , and none of all ho had bene fited drew a blade for the Douglas. Ho stood calculating the chances. To die like a man was easy , but to die to some purpose was I more difficult. Ho saw the king with his 'arm about the neck of"William Douglas , who remained quietly In hla place , with a palo but assured countenance. It waa Sholto'B only chance. Wltb his left hand ho sotzed the king by the collar of his doublet and set the point of hts sword to his back , between the shoulder blades. "Now , ho cried , "let a man lay hand on my Lord Douglas and I will slay the king. " At this 'there was erc.it consternation , and but for fear of Sholto's keeping his word half a score would have rushed forward to the as sistance of the boy. The scream of a woman from some concealed portal showed that the queen mother was waiting to witness the downfall of the mighty house which , la her opinion , threatened her boy's throne. Sholto's arm waa already drawn back for the thrust , when the voice of the earl of Douglas was heard. Ho had risen to tils feet , and now stood , easy and careless as ever , with his thumb in the blue , liken sash whloh girt his waist. "Sholto , " ho said , calmly , "you forgot your place. Lot the king go Instantly , and ask hts majesty's pardon. Set your sword again in its sheath. I am your lord. X dubbed you knlgbt. Do as I command you , " Sholto most unwillingly did as ho wai bidden , and the king placed himself closer to William of Douglas. "And now , ' . ' Bald the earl , facing the ar ray of armed men who thronged the banquet ball , "what would ye'with the Douglas ? Do ye moan my death , as by the bull's head here on the table ye would "have mo bo- llevo ? " "For black treason do wo apprehend you , earl of Douglas , " creaked the "voice of the chancellor , still speaking from behind the array of men-at-arms , "and because you have set yourself above tho'king. But wo are no butchers and trial-shall ye have by your peers. " "And who In 'this place are 'the ' peer * of the earl of Douglas ? " said the young man haughtily. * "I will not bandy worJh with you my Lord Douglas. You are overmastered. Yield yourself therefore , as Indeed you must with out romoad. Deliver your weapons and bubrnlt , 'tis our will ! " "My bravo chancellor , " said the Earl William , still In a voice of pleasant irony , "you have well chosen your time toshamo yourself. We are your Invited guests , and the gueits of the king of Scotland , V > 'a are hero unarmed , sitting at meatrwith you ' In your house. Wo have como hlth'er un- atten.dcd , trusting to the honor of these , noble knights and gentlemen. Therefore my brother and I have no swords'to deliver. But if being honorable men , you stand , ' aa U natural , upon a nice punctilio , I can satisfy you. " He turned again to Sholto MacKIm. " " said. 'Tli "Olvo up your sword , he better I should render it than you. " With great unwillingness the captain ot ho guard of Thrleve did as ho was bidden. i'he carl reversed it in his hand and held ,1 by the point. "And now , my lord chancellor , I deliver you a Douglas sword , depending upon tha word of an honorable man and the Invita tion of the king of Scotland. " But oven eo the chancellor would not advance from behind the cover of his sol diers , and the earl looked around for some one to whom to surrender. "Will you then appoint one of your knights to whom I may deliver thls weapon. Is there none who will dare to conio near even the hilt of a Douglas sword' ? , Hera , then , Sholto , break Hoover your knee and east It upon the board'as a witness agalnot treachery. Sholto did " as ho was told , breaking hit f sword and casting the pieces upon the tabla In the place where the king bad sat. "And now , my lords , I am ready , " .laid the earl , and his brother David stood up beside him , looking , as they faped the un broken ring of their foes , the two , noboat ! and gallantest youths In Scotland , , At this the king caught Lord William by the hand , and lifting up hla yolc w pt aloud , with the sudden breaking lamenta tion of a boy. "My cousin , my cousin Douglas , " ha cried , "they shall not harm 'you , I swear It on my faith as a king. " - . At last an officer of the chancellor's guard mustered courage to approach the parl of Douglas , an'd , saluting , he motioned him to follow. ThU , with hla he d erect , and his usual easy grace , he did , David walking abreast of his brother , and Bholto , with all his heart filled with the deidly chill of hopelessness , followed them through the sullen ranks of traitors. And even as ho went Earl Douglas' looked about him every way that ho might see her for whoso sake he had .adventured within the portals of death. 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